Yesterday, I posted 5 Things Smart Churches Are Doing During The Coronavirus COVID-19. The response has been overwhelming. So much so it made me think one-step further about what churches are NOT doing during this time of Shelter In Place.
On April 10th, T. J. Houshmandzadeh appeared on The Herd With Colin Cowherd show. Houshmandzadeh is currently a skills trainer for professional athletes and is helping many players prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft. When asked about projected top-15 pick, Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, he made an interesting observation.
He said, “The key to playing receiver is not his first four steps. It’s his ability to decelerate, his ability to stop and put his foot in the ground. He does that better than 90% of the players in the NFL right now… That’s why he creates so much separation (from defensive backs).”
What pastors and church leaders can learn from his evaluation of Jeudy is the following:
The One Conversation Many Pastors And Church Leaders Are NOT Having During The Coronavirus COVID-19 Is What Ministry Areas Do We Need To STOP!!!
Allow me to explain:
Almost every pastor and church leader intuitively knows there are aspects of their ministry which are not being done with excellence. Smart leaders know NOW is the time to make those necessary changes. For under-performing areas of ministry in your church, NOW is the time to decelerate, put your foot in the ground, pivot, and go in a new direction.
The current pause caused by COVID-19 in many ministries can be leveraged as an opportunity. My recommendation for areas of ministry not reaching their full-redemptive potential is to temporarily stop them. Call it a “ministry furlough” and when churches are allowed to gather together again, relaunch these ministries in a new, improved, innovative or repurposed way. The benefits are the following:
- Excellence honors God and inspires people.
- A relaunch allows you to promote something new. New always generates momentum.
- You will reach more people for Jesus.
- Deceleration of under-performing ministries accelerates the advancement of your mission and vision.
Leaders know you should never waste a crisis. Neither should a ministry. This is your time to improve, innovate, and reposition your church to reach more people for Jesus than at anytime in your history. But this requires courage and creativity. This is leadership at an elite level.
The question is are you willing to make the hard decision to stop, pivot, and relaunch?
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