Sometimes the biggest obstacle to effective ministry is simply refusing to ask, “Is there a better way?”
I used to work as an admissions coordinator for a medium sized school that took in dozens of student applications each month. My job was to go through each applicant’s file and mark down on a piece of blue paper whether or not they had submitted all their materials. The process was effective but it wasn’t efficient. And so I wondered…
“Is there a better way?”
In Exodus 18, Moses’s father-in-law had a similar revelation. On this occasion he came to find Moses sitting down all day long to judge the people of God.
After evaluating the situation Jethro said to Moses, “What you’re doing is not good” (v. 17).
Jethro knew that if Moses continued to spend all his time judging the people of Israel then Moses would certainly wear himself out.
So Jethro offered a solution: appoint other capable and God-fearing leaders to help carry the burden.
Moses was so engrossed in ministry that he never stopped to ask whether his approach was sustainable.
Moses’s problem is not unique. It’s a temptation every ministry leader faces. Churches often discover a method that works and slowly turn it into tradition. Ten years down the road they hear someone ask, “Why do we do it this way?” The inevitable response is the same.
“That’s how we’ve always done it.”
When I asked that same question about our application process I didn’t wait for an answer. I came up with a solution. Instead of the committees trying to read my scribbling, I made fillable forms. This small change helped them process applications faster because they weren’t spending as much time trying to read my illegible handwriting.
It is not good for us to continue to do the same things because that’s how we’ve always done them. God is pleased with us when we take time to evaluate our methods, our processes, and most importantly our hearts.
Evaluation is difficult because it forces us to admit that our methods may not be as effective as we thought. Are you allowing others to help you evaluate your ministry? Or is your heart closed off to evaluation?
Jethro had the wisdom to evaluate, but Moses chose to listen. Leadership through evaluation requires the humility to listen to wise counsel.
Faithful leaders are not afraid to evaluate old methods, invite wise counsel, and make changes when necessary. Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is honestly ask, “Is there a better way?”
Randy Howell (MDiv. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Operations Manager & Ministry Support
Nashville Baptist Association