Best Practices

With all the books, resources and websites on how to be more effective and efficient, one would think becoming and implementing the characteristics would be relatively easy. Maybe it's just me, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

For the individual, it can be challenging.
For the family... frustrating.
For an organization... daunting.
And for a church... divisive.

For reasons I don't fully understand, people seem to stay with employers and businesses that they may disagree with when it comes to policy and practice issues more than they stay with a church they disagree with. No organization or church, or family unity, for that matter, is perfect. Yet somehow, people part ways with the church easier and quicker than a company.

That said, it also seems easier for companies to implement best practices as they work towards becoming more effective and efficient. Buy-in for the corporate mission, excitement about the potential incentive or reward for having reached this accomplishment, loyalty to the brand or the people... whatever it is, you would think so same reasons for which most stay with companies as they change (and as easy as companies make it look), people would stick with churches as they go through a similar process.

Best practices and procedures are great, but in the end, what the thing(s) that will make an individual, family, and organizations more effective and efficient will be just a little bit different for them all. And figuring it out takes much... effort, patience, planning, 2nd, 3rd and 4th attempts, communication, grace for when you miss the mark, forgiveness for when others miss the mark and more.  All things that are easier said than done, right? Right.

Yet, none of that should detour any of us, wherever we find ourselves, from making the investment of going through this process and seeing it through to the desired results. Plus, it's a never-ending process, so understanding that there will be a few more changes to go through as time goes on will help.

Again... there's enough out there that makes it look and seem easy. Yet that's not the case. And for the church, eternity weighs in the balance. For those outside the church who may never be reached by not going through this process. For those inside the church that may walk away, depending on how a church handles going through this process.

It's cause for prayer.

Pray, this #effectiveSunday, for churches and the body of Christ, in their own lives, that are struggling to become more effective and efficient... whether it be to become all God has in store for us or to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God, may God help in the process of figuring out, specifically what works best for each situation. Pray that there would be a grace, as people go through this process, for when they are frustrated with themselves, for when they are upset with others. Pray for a unity of spirit and open communication as people work through the process... may they come out stronger, better and greater for the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ. May we be careful not to waste our time, talent and resources; but commit them to the Lord... to make the most of what has been entrusted to us. For His plans and purposes.

Effective. Efficient. As God is, for He wastes nothing. It is ALL used for His glory. He alone, makes it work out just that way.

- PNC

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