Let’s imagine that your child came home from their Christian school with this report card: English - A; History - B+; Bible - F; Math - A.
What jumps out at you? If you’re like most parents…you immediately focus on the “F.” And, if your son or daughter is a PK…you certainly focus on this “F.” Most of us completely miss the “A” in English and Math and the “B+” in History. Rather than focusing on what’s right, we focus on what’s wrong.
So, how will you respond? I know I would probably respond with…no more TV; unplug the Wii; say good-bye to your cell phone, and don’t come out of your room until you can quote half the Bible in your sleep…or something like that! I would certainly be in a “let’s fix it” mode.
Often times, the “let’s fix it” mode, or as some leaders refer to it, the “problem-focus” mode is the correct response. But there is a time when that is the wrong response; it is the wrong response in times of change.
In times of change, our report card will seldom be straight A’s. In times of change, our report card is mixed at best. There may be some bright spots, but there will also be some failures. And if, in those times, we slip into a problem-solving mode, we’ll end up spinning our wheels and nothing will change. In times of change, we must be “bright-spot focused” to create the momentum needed for lasting change.
Maybe you’ve tried to implement change in your church. Changing your Sunday school philosophy or the Sunday evening service to a small group ministry philosophy. Or, changing your model of ministry from traditional to a more missional model that includes outreach and community involvement. These are times when the report card is mixed at best; this is not a time to be in a “let’s fix it mode” but rather a “bright-spot focus” mode.
Here are three truths that I’ve discovered about being bright-spot focused.
- You create a bright-spot focus with small, incremental wins; incremental wins generate a “we can do this” mentality. It’s having a large turnout for the church clean-up day; or everyone helping a shut-in with yard work; or providing meals for the family of someone in the hospital, or helping to meet a financial goal for BGMC or STL. Or, sharing testimonies of how a small group has made a difference in someone’s life. These small steps pave the way for greater challenges.
- Having a bright-spot focus inspires confidence. When leadership celebrates wins, church people develop confidence and are inspired to attempt even greater tasks. When the clean-up day is a success, there’s a level of confidence that inspires people to take on the renovation project or the building addition. When the congregation succeeds at helping shut-ins and providing meals, there’s a level of confidence to undertake new outreach ministries. When financial needs are met, there’s a level of confidence to set new goals. Confidence helps a congregation break through the old expectations.
- Being bright-spot focused fuels the church for effective change. When a pastor has a track record of “incremental wins,” and a congregation believes in themselves and their abilities and have faith to trust God to do what they’ve never done before, effective change happens.
It's time to be bright-spot focused…celebrate wins, inspire confidence, and do great things for God.
GJB
