The 7 Practices of Effective Ministry
By Andy Stanley
#1. Clarify the Win
Define what is important at every level of ministry.
Alignment: Keeps the team on the same page
Momentum: Through a series of wins.
How to Clarify the Win:
1. Sum it up in a Simple Phrase
2. Keep it as Specific as Possible
3. Restate it Frequently and Creatively
#2. Think Steps Not Programs
Before you start anything, make sure it takes you to
where you need to go.
A program is a system of services, opportunities or
projects, usually designed to meet a social need.
A step is a series of actions, processes or measures
taken to achieve a goal.
* Determine where you want people to be
* Figure out how to get them there
How to Create Effective Steps:
1. Make it Easy
2. Make it Obvious
3. Make it Strategic
#3. Narrow the Focus
Do fewer things in order to make a greater impact.
Eliminate what you do well for what you can do best.
Avoid complexity and pursue simplicity.
How to Narrow the Focus:
1. Simplify
2. Kill What is Not Working
3. Create Brands
* Identify a primary target group
* Design each environment to do one thing
#4. Teach Less for More
Say only what you need to say, to the people who
need to hear it.
We improve learning when we teach less.
What is most important (vs) What is interesting.
How To Teach Less For More:
1. Decide What You Are Going to Teach
Established the irreducible minimums
2. Decide to Say One Thing at a Time
Say less each time we meet
3. Decide How You are Going to Say It
Engage the heart and the mind
4. Say It Over and Over Again
Repetition is how we learn
#5. Listen to Outsiders
Focus on who you’re trying to reach not who
you’re trying to keep.
Most churches reflect the interests and needs of
people who are already attending church
Find the balance:
* Growth of believers
* Reaching the lost
How to Listen to Outsiders:
1. Teach members to invest and invite
2. Learn the language of outsiders
3. Listen to organisations reaching outsiders
4. Listen to insiders who listen to outsiders
#6. Replace Yourself
Learn to hand off what you do
We can hold on until we are replaced or prepare
someone to replace us!
Failure to replace ourselves:
* Talented individuals remain in the wings
* Potential leaders exit the organisation
* Needed insight is stifled
How to Replace Ourselves:
1. Position volunteers to recruit
2. Teach what you know to others
3. Hand things off:
* Break it down
* Hand it off
* Let it go
#7. Work On It
Take time to evaluate your work and celebrate
wins.
No matter how good the system, a consistent
time of evaluation can produce tremendous
results.
Creating margin.
How to Work On It:
1. Build margin into the calendar
2. Have a weekly story time
3. Confront the facts
A Useful Tool:
- SWOT Analysis
- Critical issues
- Action plan (what, how, when, who)
The Value of the 7 Practices
1. Clarify The Win fuels our momentum
2. Think Steps, Not Programs protects our alignment
3. Narrow The Focus points us towards excellence
4. Teach Less For More guarantees we stay relevant
5. Listen To Outsides keeps us focussed on growth
6. Replace Yourself assures us of longevity
7. Work On It positions us for discovery