Author Archives: Ministry Tools Resource Center

When indicating that it’s possible to get stuck in preparations, we’re suggesting that some churches and ministries can get so caught up in getting things right, that they spend most of their time perfecting rather than progressing. Excellence becomes their primary goal.

The Problem with Being Stuck in Preparations

Scripture exhorts us to do our best to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17) but we also have the example of making sure we “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of” us (Phil. 3:12). The Christian life here on earth is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process, not a product.

If we must perfect everything we do before moving forward, we may rarely get beyond preparations. Let’s be real: If this is our primary ambition and goal, what we do may never be good enough. We’ll tend to keep finding more to fix or add to it to make it better. Rather than perfecting something we’ve been doing, God may want to do something new.

What It Takes to Get Unstuck

We may need an adjustment in how we think about the Christian life and ministry. That could take humbling ourselves to admit we haven’t arrived (Phil. 3:12). Part of getting caught up in preparations is trying to make a good impression. We somehow think we must have it all together to make an impact.

It could also take challenging ourselves to move on rather than wade in the desperation of having the brightest and best of everything. We don’t have to wait until we can afford to renovate to invite people into our church. Nor do we have to spend countless hours crafting just the right words to speak. The power to make a difference doesn’t rest in perfecting all we do. Rather, the Holy Spirit works in and through us to accomplish God’s work. The Spirit doesn’t need the perfect building, an eloquent preacher, top of the line technology, etc. to make a difference. Let’s walk in the Spirit so we don’t get stuck in making it about our own endeavors.

When suggesting we might be stuck in parroting, we’re referring to those who merely imitate what other churches or ministries are doing. It becomes about looking like others rather than pursuing God’s vision for our own church or ministry.

The Problem with Being Stuck in Parroting

What works in one church may not be best for another. Not all church cultures are the same. Not all church communities are the same. What’s needed in a given church to advance God’s work may be different than the current church fad. Mimicking what others do may therefore have minimal, if any, impact. It then serves no real purpose.

When we simply parrot what others do, we give little thought to whether it’s right for our church or ministry. Even worse, we may tend to put little prayer into it as well. Other churches or ministries become our standard rather than pursing what God may have for us.

What It Takes to Get Unstuck

We must remember that Christ Jesus is the One we should be following. It’s about becoming more like Him. We won’t get unstuck unless our primary ambition and goal is “to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death …” (Phil. 3:10). This verse suggests that the road less traveled may not always be the easiest but it is the most worthwhile path to take. And, we have an incomparably great power to tap into. — “That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms …” (Eph. 1:19-21)

It’s about pursuing God’s purposes and design for His Church as we fulfill His mission. While there is a broad dynamic to that, the specifics of how that happens could vary from church to church. We must therefore seek God’s wisdom for what we should do (James 1:5). Sometimes it could mean doing the same as another church or ministry, but when it’s about following the Lord, we have a different motivation. We’re doing it as unto the Lord (Col. 3:23), not to stay popular.

When referring to churches or ministries as stuck in perpetual motion, it’s like we’re on a hamster wheel going around and around. We’re moving, but we’re just going around in circles not moving forward.

The Problem with Being Stuck in Perpetual Motion

We can engage in a lot of activity that consumes a lot of time and energy but we have little to show for it of eternal value. Before we know, it becomes mere religious activity. When we start merely going through the motions, our love for God tends to grow cold. We leave our “first love” (Rev. 2:4) and may become motivated by a need to perform, or accomplish something, rather than love.

Because we’re active, we may feel like we’re accomplishing something. Pride could even set in because we’re so busy “for the Lord”. We become blind to the reality that we’re stuck. We’re spinning our wheels, doing the same thing over and over, going nowhere.

Perhaps what we’re busy doing was at one point a good thing, but it no longer propels growth. We keep doing it nonetheless and therefore stop meeting needs. Instead of helping people “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), we’re enabling them to stay where they are.

What It Takes to Get Unstuck

Since being stuck in perpetual motion affects our motivations and attitudes, we need a heart and mind transformation. That begins when we say, “whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Phil. 3:7-8) That kind of transformation requires help. To get unstuck, we can’t rely on ourselves. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)

Because being stuck in perpetual motion tends to affect our perspective of what’s most important, we must learn what is essential and what isn’t, and focus on what truly matters. We must “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33) “for the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20). “The kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). We find little joy when we’re merely on the treadmill of life. When, on the other hand, we keep pace with the Spirit, walking with Him, we go somewhere that leads to greater Christlikeness and fruitfulness (Gal. 5:22-25).

Do you feel like your church or ministry isn’t going anywhere? If you aren’t visionary, you’re undoubtedly stuck in something that keeps you from moving forward.

Typical Reasons Churches and Ministries Lack Vision

Below are five reasons churches and ministries aren’t going anywhere. They’re stuck. Click on links for a look at each of these reasons.

Stuck in Perpetual Motion
Stuck in Parroting
Stuck in Preparations
Stuck in the Past
Stuck in the Present

God Wants Us To Press On, Not Get Stuck in Place

God wants us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Growth implies progression. We’re not growing if we’re staying in the same place. We’re to “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold” of us. None of us will ever arrive on this side of eternity (Phil. 3:12). Pressing on suggests that we’re in a constant spiritual pursuit, not locked in place.

One day God will even transform our lowly bodies. — “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20) — If He can do that, certainly He can provide the power we need right now to move forward. Let’s not be content to stay where we are. — “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

God Wants Us to be Visionary Which Requires His Power and Perspective

When we try to move staying in the same spot, we merely build ruts. The deeper the rut, the harder it is to get out. Often it takes someone, or something, powerful enough to pull us out. God is our Power Source. — “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Pet. 1:3)

We may get weary of staying vigilant and moving forward but not God. In Him we not only have the power to persevere but also the needed perspective. — “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isa. 40:28-29)

God can pull us out of our ruts, no matter what we may be stuck in. But, we must put our hope in Him, no matter how things appear. — “… but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:31)

Help for Church and Ministry Leaders: Goal-Setting & Vision Casting