Incremental Progress

Church Planting Series, Part twenty-five

I admit it: I’m goal crazy. I set all kinds of goals. By the time New Year’s Eve rolls around, I’m figuring out goals for physical fitness, spiritual fitness, writing, relationships, and more. I even develop an annual theme for my personal year along with key Bible verses. Yes, I’m goal crazy.

But one thing I know: if I never plan it, it doesn’t get done.

Sure, things can get done without planning. The serendipitous life can be a wonderful thing. Many experiences and accomplishments may happen to happen. I’ll take those with gratitude and joy.

But I know that I will not make intentional progress in key areas of life without setting goals. This is especially true of the challenging areas of life.

If I don’t set a goal for running 20 miles each week, it will be very easy to let my cardio-vascular fitness slide.

If I don’t set a goal to study the book of Daniel, my Bible reading will revert to a lazy approach.

If I don’t set a goal to write another book this year, the hard work of writing will keep me saying, “Maybe tomorrow.”

Goals push me to do what I would not naturally want to do. Goals also help move me to make incremental progress in life’s big challenges.

And incremental progress is a big deal.

I’ve participated in big-picture strategic planning and goal setting meetings. I’ve been facilitated through multiple day brain bending and post-it note posting exercises. I’ve been given voluminous binders filled with plans for the next ten years. But all of that usually ends up in a file drawer or high on a shelf somewhere.

The planning question that has impacted me most has everything to do with incremental progress toward identified priorities that are in line with the big vision (where mission, values and all the “stuff” of your organization are pushing you). The question is this:

“What can you do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in this area?”

In other words, can you think of and actually accomplish one or two things that will move you forward toward a big goal?

This is called incremental progress. It never gets put in a drawer. It’s always doable. It has urgency. It moves you toward the goal. AND it allows you to begin to see more clearly where you are headed.

As you face 2010 in your life and ministry, ask these two questions: “What three to five things do we really need to do?” “What can we do in the next 90-120 days to make 25% progress in those areas?”

Get ready for progress.

Tiger and Integrity

Church Planting Series, Part twenty-four

Although our culture cries out, “Anything goes! There is no truth! You have a right to do what you want!”, advertisers aren’t so sure about that.

By now you’ve been inundated with news about Tiger Woods. He is in the difficult position of dealing with his infidelity. He must face his own flaws. He bears the weight of inflicting deep hurt on his wife and family.

Tiger was not exempt from the expectation of integrity and faithfulness. Society’s voice may play fast and loose with morality, but advertisers serve as a social conscience. People won’t buy duplicity. The lack of integrity doesn’t sell. Just ask his sponsors who are ending their relationship with Tiger. The reason? Tiger doesn’t represent the qualities the advertisers are trying to convey.

No one is exempt from integrity.

Church planters, servants of Jesus, missional workers take note!

It may be exciting to ride the challenging and entrepreneurial wave of reaching out for God’s Kingdom. You may enjoy seeing people hang on your every word as you teach and lead. You may revel in the life-change you witness as you serve. But a lack of integrity will make your message hollow. A lack of integrity will destroy God’s work through you. Where do you need to watch carefully for integrity—-an integrated, whole, and truthful life?

Body integrity: This includes sexual purity. It also means you take care of yourself.

Soul integrity: This means you practice what you preach. You’re a person of the Word and prayer.

Heart integrity: You’re called to be a person of peace, kindness, and compassion. You speak the truth—always with a loving spirit. You refrain from being mean.

Thought integrity: What images and ideas are you letting dominate your thinking? You are called to dwell on whatever is pure, right, praiseworthy, etc.

Tongue integrity: You keep promises, don’t tell lies, refrain from gossip, and do not speak profanely.

Family integrity: You honor your wife; you actively parent your children. Family does not get leftovers after ministry.

Communication integrity: You answer phone calls and e-mails. You respond to people as best you can. You don’t ignore people whom God has placed in your life.

Work integrity: You live an industrious life, serving faithfully and going beyond the base expectations of those who entrust you with tasks.

Relationship integrity: You practice impartiality, not playing favorites. You don’t intimidate or abuse your position of authority. You build others up as a mentor and encourager.

What additional areas of integrity are we called to as followers of Christ, redeemed by Him, new creations in Him? Let me know your thoughts.