How to Think Big Picture

Constantly my husband tells me, “People don’t think like you.” Sometimes this is not a compliment…like when I have once again totally missed the point of a joke (being the “humor-challenged person” that I am). But most of the time when he says not everyone thinks like I do, it is his way of reminding me that my ability to think holistically is a bit of a skill.

Big picture thinking is the ability to consider how your thoughts, actions and attitudes will impact your life or organization over the long haul. How will the decisions you make today impact others in one year, five years or ten years? If leaders fail to ask these all-important questions, their leadership will likely become shortsighted and somewhat ineffective. As leaders, we must learn to think of both the hear-and-now and the desired future.

So how do you learn to think about the big picture? While I have not mastered this ability, here are a few techniques I naturally use to keep the big picture in mind:

1. Think ahead
Simply taking a few minutes to consider a topic before I am called upon to form a leadership opinion about it allows me the time and space to consider the big picture. When I do this well, I come prepared to offer insight beyond my immediate circumstances. When I fail to think ahead, I am left to offer my gut reaction.

2. Think in terms of perspective
As I think through an issue, I try it out in my mind from multiple angles. If I need to hire an important position, I think through what I need from the position, what type of leader the team needs, what type of person will best fit the organizational culture and what type of person will complement the skills of other team members. Then I think through candidates from these angles (and many others). Perspective allows me to consider obvious and not-so-obvious implications of my decisions. And too, I have found that sometimes the best perspective is found in team discussion or in outside counsel!

3. Think in terms of outcomes
When I think about leadership issues (or life issues), I have learned to think in terms of the most desirable outcome. Sometimes leaders do not think in terms of the big picture, simply because they have not defined what a “win” would look like. When I know what I am trying to accomplish, holistic thought is more tangible and immediate. Clear desired outcomes prevent me from getting bogged down in philosophy and move me to action.

4. Think in terms of consequences
I would venture to say every leader has been in a situation where they have failed to consider the consequences of their decisions. When I have failed to consider the possible negative or positive consequences of an action, I have often found myself in trouble. While none of us can think of everything, we can be attentive to how our actions will impact others. In the best of worlds, my big picture thinking promotes healthy thoughts, actions and attitudes.

What big picture thinking skill do you need to practice today?

Internal Signals

"As much as we long for external signs that point the way to the future, we must settle for inner signals that alert us to the proximity of new beginnings." - William Bridges

Despite Bridges' elegant description of the hint of a realized future, his words can't begin to describe the tension-filled climate of one seeking positive change who is unable to either see it or have it neatly offered up. The complexity of our human existence often lends itself to messy ends, waiting periods and new starts. Rarely is a new beginning crisply and cleverly packaged. More often it's a mish mosh. Some things ending, others beginning and a few things stuck in neutral.

What I find so profound about Bridges' thought is the fact that in the muddle of our misshapen lives, we can count on the new rising up in us. We can learn to lean into those subtle internal signals that point us correctly in the direction of a better future. I believe in the best of circumstances these are God-inspired moments, His signals of prompted change.

So my question to you is this: what God-inspired internal signals are rising up in you? And what should you do about them? Or better yet, what will you do?

No goodbyes?

In my forward-thinking, future-focused world, new beginnings covet all my attention. Endings...not so much.

I know how to say goodbye. Sometimes I even over do it. But in my people-loving, the world-is-one-big-family mindset, I don't like to say goodbye. I'd rather holler, "see you later," as I whiz out of sight. And to me, later might mean next week or it could mean in heaven. When my circumstances change, I'm typically the first one to be ready to climb the next mountain. (Unless of course I wind up pouting about the unexpected or unfair nature of life.) I like new stuff.

But...endings are important.

When you move across the country, when your circumstances are drastically altered, when your ministry is ready for change, even when your wife wants you to learn to hang up your towel and you finally agree...you MUST acknowledge endings well. Each ending deserves attention. You must identify the losses and grieve them. You must discern how to provide closure, and you need to figure out how to celebrate contributions. You must pay attention to what it takes to effectively change.

Endings should not become THE focal point, but they must be a stopping point each time change is imminent. Glaze over them and you will miss the richness of celebration. Neglect them and you'll have people clinging to the way things used to be.

To what or whom do you need to say your goodbyes?

The Neutral Zone

When you're stuck in between loss and gain, between old and new, between past and future, William Bridges the author of Transitions says you're in the "neutral zone." While being stuck in a season of waiting, seeming emptiness or renewal can evoke feelings of sadness, anger or discouragement, Bridges suggests, "Dying, the neutral zone, and rebirth are not ideas that we bring to life; they are phenomena that we find in life. The only trick is to see them - by looking beyond the reflected light of the familiar surface of things and seeing what is really there, working in the depths. The neutral zone - the time between the old life and the new - is a particularly rich time for such insight." In short, the neutral zone can be one of the most creative periods in your life or ministry.

This past year has been a full-on neutral zone for me, a time of working in the depths of my soul, my circumstances and my dreams to discover the richness of God and His blessings. This is what I've learned so far:

1. Blessings are better than happiness. Happiness is a fleeting emotion that the Bible doesn't spend much time discussing. Blessings are God's goodness applied to our lives. Seeking lasting blessings from God is a more worthy pursuit than momentary happiness.

2. Some visions mature slowly, some surprise you quickly. If vision is the tension between what is and what could be, you need to be able to see what could be. Sometimes a leader immediately and clearly sees what could be in their life or ministry. Other times, it takes time, effort, exploration and prayer to form vision. While the process is different, the outcome is the same. One just requires more patience.

3. Becoming really is better than doing. Mary and Martha have always been of great interest to me. I'm more of a do-er, less of a be-er by nature. Sometimes I would get so mad when I would hear the story of how Mary sat at Jesus feet while Martha did all the work. Here's what changed my heart on this: the realization (read duh-moment) that all doing emanates from being. If I am becoming a godly woman, my actions will follow suit. If all I care about is action, my ministry will dry up as soon as the actions are complete.

4. Most of us try too hard. Whew. That's a hard realization, and taken out of context, a dangerous one. My responsibility bone is very strong, so I believe in hard work, determination and follow-through. However, during my neutral zone experience I've come to realize that some of the things in life or ministry we get so amped up about ought to be given less attention. Where can we refocus that attention: on becoming, on visioneering, on connecting with others and on obedience to God. Basically, I'm learning some of us need to "lighten up."

5. Ministry stems from self-leadership and identity. We'd like to believe our church is a reflection of Christ and His holiness. While God does supernaturally move in and through many churches, each individual church is likely more of a reflection of its leaders. Theological argument with that previous statement aside, you cannot ignore the direct correlation between a leaders' character and identity and the culture of his or her ministry. Lest we get too self-important, ministry and the church belong to God. He is the One who determine the success or failure of any particular ministry or church. Yet, God chooses to use people. And have you ever noticed how those who are men and women of godly character, who understand the church and ministry culture and who are expert leaders tend to build effective impactful ministries? My takeaway: self-leadership goes a long way.

So what's your neutral zone experience? Where are you sensing an ending and a new beginning. Don't be tempted to jump over the neutral zone experience, or you'll miss a terrific opportunity to mine the depths of your heart and soul in connection with God.

Introducing Online Consulting Resources

The Synergy Box has just released a series of online consulting resources for the creative arts ministry in your church. Online consulting, how does that work? Each resource is designed to introduce you to a critical topic on arts leadership, identity, culture or creativity and includes an overview of the topic and a discussion guide to help you lead your team through an assessment of your ministry in this area. After you've finished your discussion, you can email your notes to The Synergy Box, and within seven to ten days, you'll receive personalized suggestions for your church arts ministry.

The Synergy Box also offers telephone consulting and on-site consulting services. Check out our website at http://www.thesynergybox.com/.

Visit our booth at the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta this week!

Artistic Ministry Values

How many times have creative people differed on the development of a creative service element? That's like asking how many ants are on my driveway at this moment? Too many to count! Artistic people drive creativity through their unique and distinctive thought processes. No two creative people see the same piece of art the same exact way! That's the beauty and the practical difficulty of working within a team of artists.

While we cannot and should not force all creative people to think the same way, we can help them communicate and work together better by creating a set of shared values. If we want creative people to behave in a certain way, we've got to make our expectations known. If your church values excellence, let your artists know. If you value authenticity, make that known. If you're into including everyone who wants to help, make sure everyone is on board with that vision. Do what it takes (typically a brainstorming meeting with your team) to list out your team's core values. Then figure out what it will require to ensure everyone who participates in your ministry knows and understands these values.

When your leaders and volunteers value the same things, powerful ministry can occur. But when you're all behaving out of a different value system, watch out. Trouble is right around the corner.

5 Ways to Influence Your Church

Ever wish you could change your church? I have. While change for the sake of change itself is never the goal, sometimes our churches get stuck in patterns of activity or ministry that are no longer effective. When this occurs, sitting in the pews (or even in a seat of leadership) and observing fruitless leadership or ministry can drive a person crazy.

So how can you gain influence in your church? How can you gain the ability to speak into ministry? Check out these five suggestions:

1. Be respectful - Criticizing and pulling in the opposite direction of your current leadership is a certain way to diminish your voice. Most pastors and leaders are doing the best they can. Offer respect for their efforts.
   
2. Get involved - Want to make your voice heard? Get into the trenches first by serving selflessly and earning the right to be heard. Your voice will mean more when you're a participant instead of an observer.
   
3. Offer support - Pastors and leaders in the church are super busy, so when you come alongside them and meet their immediate needs, you'll likely have space and opportunity to offer influence as well.
   
4. Offer solutions - If you see a problem, become a problem solver. Offer viable solutions to an existing problem and you will be seen as a partner in ministry, instead of a critic.
   
5. Stay positive - While you might easily picture a better future, you cannot expect your church to change overnight. Stay helpful and positive. It's one of the best ways you can continue to encourage and motivate your leaders.

Why does it matter? You may be the one to change a church for the better...and in the process offer eternal life and connection with God to hundreds if not thousands of people. Influence is an investment. Choose where to invest yours wisely.

Check out Cultivate

Lately, I've been doing a bit of writing for Cultivate, an online community for Worship Arts Leaders. The Willow Creek Association launched this site in June of 2009 in hopes of creating an online resource to empower arts leaders to lead their teams to increasing spiritual health and meaningful ministry. If you're not already a member, take time to sign up and read through a few articles or engage in one of the groups.

When we get into the trenches of ministry, we can quickly allow the importance of our own personal growth and development to be pushed to the side while we advance the cause of urgent ministry. But I challenge you to take care of yourself. Leading others drains our creative and spiritual tanks. You can't give what you do not have. So take time today to fill your tank.

http://www.cultivateonline.org

Where Does Motivation Come From?

Lately (meaning the past several years) I've been thinking about personal motivation. My question: how do I convince myself to do the things I want to do...or don't want to do, without a deadline imposed by someone else (or without extrinsic motivation)?

Some things I do because I like them. They're easy. They're comfortable. They flow. But sometimes I get to the end of a day or week and wonder why I wasn't able to accomplish what I had in mind or become the kind of person I envisioned. Here's what I've recently discovered: the best way to find personal motivation:

• Search your mind and heart for the feeling you want.

It seems that feelings drive behaviors. And more importantly, thoughts drive feelings. Basic psychology...yes. The way God made us...totally! If we want to do more or be more, we must discover through thoughtful discernment a desirable feeling that will drive our actions.

How do you apply this? Here's a simple two step process:

1. No matter what project, relationship or role for which you're needing more motivation, think about the feeling you're going for. Is it contentment, power, compassion, gratefulness, appreciation?


2. Match your actions to the feeling. For example, if you want to be more content in your relationship with your Senior Pastor, figure out what contentment would look like and what actions would be required of you. Do you need to ask to meet weekly for lunch? Do you need to meet your deadlines? Do you want to know what he really thinks of your art? Act on these thoughts: set up a lunch date, get clear on project deadlines and break the big ones into smaller chunks, ask your Pastor the dangerous questions about what he thinks of your creative performance.

Through these two simple steps you foster self-awareness and action. You choose how you want to think, feel and act. You do have choices. Other people do not have the power to dictate your thoughts, feelings and behaviors (though it can seem like it). Find the feeling you want and act thoughtfully. Then, watch your levels of intrinsic motivation soar.

One extremely important side note - some of the feelings we'd like to experience just aren't appropriate. Weed those out before you move to action. Most importantly, on a daily basis, ask God to align your desires with His own, and put actions to those desires. I can't wait to see what He does!

Tackling Burnout with More Work

Why is it church leaders so often run themselves into the ground? Why, if you hang around a church for very long, will you consistently hear words like "burnout" and "overwork" linked to people who work for the church? Why is that?

Yesterday, my nine-year-old son asked me, while we were driving, "Mom, does the church ever close?" Deep ponderings from a precocious child? After a few more probing questions, we determined he was really asking whether or not the church ever takes breaks from weekend services. "No," came my obvious answer, "the church is always open."

And it's true. In one way or another the church is always open. Sunday is always coming. Someone is always in need. Ministry happens 24/7. So, is this perpetual state of church availability what leads to our burnout dilemma? Perhaps. But more likely, our overwork comes because we, the leaders, staff members and key volunteers of the church, are "always open". We make ourselves available to those in need no matter the time of day. We push aside personal plans to go out of our way for others. We give to others unselfishly. We are ministers in the church.

But what happens if in our best effort to minister to others, we forget to minister to ourselves? Or worse, what goes down when we won't allow ourselves to be ministered to? Here come those ugly words..."burnout" and "overwork". I've been there. And it really doesn't feel good.

So, maybe you're reading this knowing that you're one of those church people who is open 24/7. Let's get real about your internal health:

• When you're so concerned with the interests of others that you forget to put yourself on the list, you have a problem.


• When you help everyone else and refuse to be helped yourself, you're in trouble.


• When you're selflessly serving to support the needs of others when those same needs are going unmet in your life, you're in way over your head.

At one point or another, almost everyone who works in the church could put themselves into that list somewhere. We all fit the profile. Yet to combat this problem of overcommitment and lack of self-care, I offer you one simple solution: put yourself on the list.

You're heard this advice before, haven't you? This is disappointing and completely unhelpful information, you're thinking? Yet, let's be real. But by the grace of God, you cannot help anyone if you are unhealthy yourself (physically, emotionally, intellectually or spiritually). You cannot lead others where you have not gone. Sometimes the best way you can help others is to put your own needs on the top of today's to-do list and problem solve a way to meet them. If ministry to others truly matters to you, you must take care of yourself.

The way to tackle burnout is with more work: self-work.

Sometimes the most difficult words to say are, "I need help." Especially for those who lead in the church. Believe me, I know. I am a master of helping others and neglecting to care for myself. Yet, letting a trusted friend or colleague help you find health will change your life for the better. And instead of them thinking less of you, they're likely think more of your leadership, because good self-leadership will allow the rest to follow.

(By the way, self-work probably means you'll need to take a few other things off the list. But cross that bridge when you come to it. Start by asking for help.)

5 Signs Your Arts Ministry is Struggling

It's not easy to keep an arts ministry afloat in the church. Whether we struggle with artistic identity, arts community, creativity, artistic process, or all of the above, we all know church arts ministry can be hard. Here are 5 signs your arts ministry may be heading for trouble:

1. The pastor and the arts leader often struggle to communicate with each other.


2. Volunteers are making excuses about why they cannot serve more often, and the arts leader is often reduced to begging to fill volunteer positions.


3. The congregation is involved in "worship wars" and have divided into traditional and contemporary camps.


4. The creative team has great ideas, but they seldom make it off the whiteboard.


5. The technical teams and the music teams are barely speaking to each other.

Perhaps these signs seem extreme, but unfortunately it's easy for one or all of these problems to arise in a church arts ministry. So, if you find yourself in one of these spots, what is the next step?

While it's not appropriate to oversimplify the solution to such problems, sometimes the first step in solving a problem is to identify it. Once you can acknowledge the fact that you really are having communication problems in your leadership or "worship wars" in your pews, you can start to deal with it.

Today, I challenge you to prayfully consider areas where your ministry is struggling. Admit to God where you need help and ask Him to provide solutions. Seek help from those in your network who seem to be one step ahead of you. Look for advice from leaders you trust. Move your ministry from struggling to stepping (forward that is).