Imagine gearing up for a cross country road trip. Your bags are packed. Your SUV is full of gas. Within arm’s reach is the snack cooler loaded with goodies. As you hop in the car, you put on your seatbelt, check the mirrors and reach over to program your GPS. “4..5.., no, no I meant 757 Hollywood Plaza. No, scratch that—I think I’ll go to the Grand Canyon…” Thirty minutes later you find you are still in the driveway. Stuck. Stalled. You can’t move forward; there’s nothing wrong with the car—you simply haven’t decided on your destination.
Has that ever happened to you? If you are a leader then I bet your response is a resounding “yes” (even if you don’t think so). Your perception of this state of stagnation may look a little different than the situation I described above. But the results are the same. No progress.
As leaders, by nature we are idea incubators. We innately possess the desire to create and innovate; we are made in the image of our Father, The Creator! However, the challenge we idea incubators face is choosing an idea to focus on first. Our struggle lies not in the idea, but the choice. We simply refuse to make the decision.
Your inability to make a decision regarding your current destination is costing you. And…it’s costing you BIG. Indecisiveness paralyzes. It is by far the most common barrier to ministry growth and expansion. Serving Christian leaders, I often hear well intentioned visionaries share such things as “God laid it on my heart to do this, this, this, this, this and this. Oh yeah and this.” With eager anticipation, they set their heads and their hands to complete all that’s on their heart. ALL of it—right now. Yet, what they don’t realize is just like the fully loaded car ready for a road trip, until they choose a destination they will stay stalled in the driveway.
Choosing a destination is the first step to getting your ministry’s expansion in action. If you have found yourself or your ministry stagnate when it comes to experiencing consistent growth I would like to challenge you to check your ministry’s expansion GPS. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is your first destination clearly defined? – Big vision is great, but when it comes to putting your expansion in action, you must be clear on where you’re headed now.
- Have you identified a clear route to reaching your destination? – Do you have a detailed map on how you are going to get where you’re headed?
- Are you adequately prepared for the trip ahead? – Once you know where you’re going, it’s important to know what you need to get you there. Do you have the right team, tools, and strategies to get you to your destination?
Many great leaders struggle to grow and expand their efforts due to their lack of clear direction. While their desire is to increase their influence, their ability to make a noticeable impact is greatly diminished by their divided focus. No matter how hard you try you can’t travel to two destinations at the same time—if you want to make progress you must pick one destination at a time.
From decision to destination—expansion is a journey. You don’t have to travel alone. I’d love to support you along the way. If you need help identifying clear, next step strategies for growing your ministry and expanding your reach, let’s connect. Schedule your complimentary get acquainted session with me today by clicking here.