Today’s blog is not mine, but from Charles Stone. A while back, he made a move to pastor in Canada.  During this time of transition, he learned four keys to start well and sustain a healthy ministry. What I like most about this article is the thought-provoking questions we need to ask as leaders.

LET’S TALK

Here are Stone’s four principles, along with some questions to help us evaluate how well we are doing as leaders:

#1 Prioritize family and self-care. This concept simply means that to lead well, we must lead ourselves and our families well. I once heard Chuck Swindoll say that a healthy ministry flows out of a healthy marriage.

Key questions to ask:

• How would your spouse or kids say you are doing in keeping family a priority?
• How often do you take a day off when you truly disconnect from your leadership role?
• Are you getting enough sleep and exercise?
• Are you saying ‘no’ enough to demands people try to place on your time that you know if you said ‘yes’ would not further your mission?

#2 Avidly over-communicate. This concept implies that leaders must intentionally use multiple means to keep their churches and teams informed of what’s happening.

Key questions to ask:

• Do you have an intentional process to communicate progress in achieving your goals and key initiatives to others?
• How many tools do you use to communicate? Or, do you count on one method and hope it’s successful?
• How often do you repeat your church’s overall purpose and objectives?

#3 Listen and learn. This idea embodies the principle that good leaders are learners and learning happens when we assume a listening posture.

Key questions to ask:

• In meetings how much talking do you do? Are you mostly telling or asking questions and listening?
• When you meet new people, do you ask about their lives or do you talk about yourself?
• When others are talking to you, how often do you mentally check out as you prepare your response?

#4 Manage change wisely. For any church or ministry to make a Kingdom difference it requires that we effect change. But change for change’s sake seldom moves us forward. However, wisely managed and needed change will make a Kingdom difference.

Key questions to ask:

• How often do you include in the conversation about a potential change those who would be affected by such a change?
• When you bring change, how often do you evaluate after the change to learn how well it went?
• What changes need to be made now in your setting and what are you doing to prepare your church or team for the change?

BEFORE YOU GO

Stone concludes with “Leadership brings leaders great fulfillment, especially when we lead well.” How can you apply these four keys? Checkout more from Charles Stone at https://charlesstone.com/.