Looking ahead at 2024, you are probably thinking about the bigger picture. You know your ministry doesn’t stop with you. It trickles down not only to those you lead, but to those they lead, and to those they lead.
Effective leadership has the potential for maximum impact. You want to see your teams and ministries flourish, thrive, and expand. You want to see disciples and leaders made and multiplied. You want to see the Kingdom coming closer with each step forward they take in their plans.
That’s what those you are leading want too. They’re looking for clarity and direction. They’re looking for practical, strategic ways of doing ministry better and smarter. They’re looking for customized solutions and top-notch guidance. So how can you stand ready to provide the most helpful guidance you can?
Consider your ministries’ specific needs
What challenges are you facing now? What issues are you likely to be facing throughout this next year. So what are the issues you are facing? Think it through: do you need help knowing how to develop leaders? How to make disciples? How to multiply your ministries? How to deal with conflicts? How to get others on board with the vision? How to navigate leadership transitions? You’ll want to pre-think some of the most common needs your ministry will face this coming year so you can lead through the issues in the most effective and healthy possible ways.
Reflect on your own skill base
Given the demands of your ministry, what will be required from you? Brainstorming help? Strategic planning strategies? Help casting vision? Determine which skills you’ll most need to grow in to help you sharpen your leadership in the new year.
Plan ahead to expand your ministry influence
In addition to identifying your needs and sharpening your own skill set in 2024, you’ll want to take a wider view of your own ministry. How can you expand your ministries’ influence, be more effective, and go deeper? How can you target the influence and impact of your ministry so it grows and you’re in a stronger position to help more people? How can you know that your efforts are resulting in more life change, transformation, and the extension of God’s Kingdom?
Survey says….
As you know, InFocus empowers leaders to navigate complex issues of ministry to multiply disciples, cultivate leaders, and plant churches. The way we do that is coaching, training and consulting. Do us a favor and let us know how we can best service you in 2024.
Your voice matters. As we plan out how to best come alongside you in your ministry, we want to hear from the person who matters most—you. You know your ministry. You know your skill sets and goals. Take a minute or two to complete this SHORT SURVEY to let us know how we can laser-focus on what you need most in 2024. Your response will directly impact what you get from us this year.
Take a look at the following list. Why do you think these blogs were the most viewed? Which topic resonated most with you? In true New Year’s Eve style, we are counting down to the #1 blog of the year…
10. Avoiding Burnout as a Leader Where do you go when you are reaching your limit? What happens when you ignore your margins? Every single leader on the planet needs a refresher now and then.
9. Christian Coaching Essentials RELEASE This post being in the Top Ten demonstrates your commitment to strengthening your ability to empower leaders! This is the only research-based Christian coaching process available today. The result is a comprehensive coaching process that is spiritually-anchored in Christ so that you can cultivate leaders in your ministry.
8. Reconnecting with God We love that this post made the Top Ten! You are pulling up your sleeves and eager to nurture your spiritual growth and help others be all that God has created them to be. After taking a break, it is important to meet people where they are and help them reconnect with God.
7. Lent Week Four: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus We were pleasantly surprised by the Lenten series. You showed a heightened interest in revisiting the season of spiritual preparation approaching the Passion of Christ. Be on the lookout for another version of the series in 2024.
6. Coaching on Succession Planning Every leader is in a state of transition. However, when a leader is moving from one position to a new position, there are three phases that we addressed in this blog that caught your eye. We will look at succession again in 2024.
5. Workplace Culture and Respect There is a gap in communication styles and even values between generations. That isn’t necessarily bad, but it is something to be aware of and be intentional about as you adapt your leadership style to the leaders you are cultivating.
4.5 Habits to Make Disciples We’ve been honing in on these habits that were fundamental to Jesus’ ministry. It’s exciting to see you resonating with these! Look for more on the 5 Habits in 2024.
3. Slow Your Role! When You Launch Small Groups Matters Small groups are one of the most influential contributors to church health. It is no surprise that the topic attracted so much attention this year. Whether you call your small groups missional communities, Community Groups, Life Groups – look for more insights in 2024.
2. 5 Challenges Every House Church Faces Every single post in this series on qualities of churches of various sizes were near the top of your favorites. We hear you! Look for more IF posts that offer insight and tips into understanding the unique challenges in these specific contexts in 2024.
1. Reconstructing DiscipleshipSo much has been discussed, written, and forecasted about the deconstruction of discipleship. This raises the question – what is discipleship? We will bring you more on the challenge of making disciples, who make disciples, in 2024.
Your Voice Matters
We hope this post has helped you see our commitment to you and to creating content that is important to you. As you can see, identifying the top ten blogs of the year has been a strategic part of our planning for 2024. We invite you to speak into this further and invite you to take a few moments and complete this SHORT SURVEY. Please let us know how we can come alongside you to help you grow as a coach, build your coaching business, and work with specific context and clients.
As we step into the New Year, may it be a time of growth, resilience, and joy for you and your loved ones. May the coming days be filled with spiritual growth, meaningful connections, and a closer walk with God. Here’s to a year of discovering new possibilities, embracing challenges, and creating lasting memories. Wishing you a blessed and Happy New Year!
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
As you approach the end of the year, Christmas provides a natural pause for reflection and renewal. Take a moment to reflect on the incredible gift of Jesus Christ and what he’s done in your life this year, as well as pray and seek guidance for the next. As you take this next week to reflect, consider the relationships you’ve cultivated, the lives you’ve touched, and the ways you can continue to grow as a servant leader. Let the Christmas season inspire a renewed commitment to leading with love, compassion, and a heart devoted to God’s purpose.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” / Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)
Are you known as one who helps people develop and grow? Do people feel empowered to take action when talking with you? Do people under your leadership honestly believe you help them move from deep reflection on an issue to proactively taking steps forward?
The next time you are in a conversation, gauge where you most naturally gravitate – reflection or action.
This is not an easy transition to help people through. It doesn’t come naturally for some – but there is good news! I want to share a simple shift you can make to become more intentional and effective in your conversations. Let’s talk about what it takes to help people move from deep reflection to effective action.
Most leaders have an innate tendency to be stronger in one area than the other. But it is absolutely essential that you live in the healthy tension of both reflection and action so that people you develop, empower, and release can grow in the right areas, in the right way, attaining their desired outcome. As a leader, it can be tempting to settle in your sweet spot; however, mastering both reflection and taking action is a discipline you can develop!
Goal: To help leaders move from passively assessing and reflecting to taking action.
Benefits to take a step towards a goal:
Action allows leaders to test their assumptions
Action forces people out of their comfort zone
Action is necessary for growth
Action creates momentum
Action builds confidence
From Reflection to Action:
Remember the primary aim is to help people listen and respond to the Holy Spirit. You can see in the diagram above that the more you and the people you develop are focused on God and less on yourselves, the more likely people will clarify and be inspired to take action!
Let me unpack this a little more:
Clarify: the more understanding a person has of the reasons behind a change, the greater the motivation.
Inspiration: the more a person “feels” the need to change, the greater the energy needed to do so is activated.
To concrete this further, good coaching addresses both the head (clarity of thought) and the heart (energy) for change.
Three Mini-Shifts to help people you are developing:
Challenge the other person to act.
Do not allow new disciples or leaders to remain in a state of reflection. Action is the catalyst for development and growth; without action, God’s plans for us will take exceedingly more time to come to fruition.
Use questions to help a person articulate what they will do.
Make sure there is a plan in place. Action is likely to fail without practical and well-thought-out steps to reach the goal.
Gain commitment from the other person.
Make sure you have considered all angles when it comes to what the action will lead to – even potential negatives – and help people remain committed to the goal.
Real-Time Actions:
Clarify. Summarize the main points of what people have shared and ask follow-up questions to probe until they have enough clarity on the action they intend to take.
Inspire: Ask people to share what they want to accomplish and the motivation behind it. Tap into their “why.”
Take a moment to reflect on this shift – from reflection action. What new insights do you have
Reflection Questions:
Who is stuck in reflection that I am coaching?
Who tends to skype reflection and move right into action?
How do I help people clarify what they want to do?
How do I inspire people to take action?
Where do I naturally gravitate – reflection or action?
Coaching Questions:
What is the most important thing…?
What will you do?
How committed are you to do this?
What will you give up to do this?
What will this give you…?
Key Question: How can I help people do both well – reflect and take action?
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