Axiom Chapter 15—Incrementalism
Hybels once again does a great job of sharing a very important principle with us. It is almost a continuation from last week’s chapter about keeping the heat turned up. We are all challenged with the “ebb and flow” of passion. One week we are ready to change the world and tackle the toughest devils and the next week we just want to make sure our kids are doing well in school. Then the next week we just don’t understand how anyone has time to change the world. And we incrementally drift away from the very thing that made our lives so exciting and fulfilling. Soon we are able to discount the value of our time, talent and resources and our effectiveness and influence are shrinking.
Incrementalism turns growing vibrant churches into maintenance mode churches that are just trying to keep what they have instead of aggressively moving forward and taking more territory and touching more lives. As Hybels explains so accurately, that is the road to a dying church since natural attrition is about 10%. His explanation of that also makes it easier to not take it personally when someone doesn’t choose to make CAML their church or if someone leaves CAML. As Chris Hodges says, “Don’t focus on the few you will lose. Concentrate on the thousands you will change.”
Let’s hear your comments this week on ways you have found to overcome incrementalism and keep the passion for changing our city and our world alive.
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One way I challenge myself to overcome incrementalism is keeping a regular watch on my passion level. I believe there are specific passions God places in our hearts that drive us, stretch us and ultimately fulfill us. Discovering those passions is a great starting place then we must learn to prioritize them above all else. Passion is contagious. It is a key component when leading a church and influencing people.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that passion can wilt if I do not keep my focus on the things that are important. The people that God has so graciously put in my life is important. Staying in His presence and loving Him helps to stay passionate about what He has given us.
ReplyDeleteEven though incrementalism seems inciting, we are not going to fall for it. One key for us to avoid this trap is for us to organize the Growth Track in such a way that frees us to focus on that which produces growth. We’ve learned that effective processes & communication w/ in a ministry frees leaders up to be creative & courageous. We are still looking for big things in the Growth Track!
ReplyDeleteEven though incrementalism seems enticing, we are not going to fall for it. One key for us to avoid this trap is for us to organize the Growth Track in such a way that frees us to focus on that which produces growth. We’ve learned that effective processes & communication w/ in a ministry frees leaders up to be creative & courageous. We are still looking for big things in the Growth Track!
ReplyDeleteI have been very blessed, my team continues to grow almost every month, and continually having a fresh perspective on our team has really helped keep us focused on what we can improve on.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is important to do like Pastor Sheryll asked us to do before, and that is come to church one Sunday and try to look at it like it was your first time there, and remember what it was like when it was your first time. I try to do that periodically.
Okay...I had to try and spit this out while it was fresh on the brain.
ReplyDeleteThe barbarian-church-planter attitude, as Hybel's puts it, starts to fizzle out when the realities of "Taking On The World" begin to set in. For this reason, strategic leaders should work to identify what details are necessary for carrying out the vision. That way there is no lull when "reality sets in", because we already saw it coming. Does that make sense to anyone else?
It is very easy to get forgetful of the BIG vision as we work through the week-to-week details that are involved in transitioning a big (or bold) move. If we are finding ourselves frustrated in this weeks detail of a BIG vision, we are likely on the edge of settling for less than God's intended best for us.
BIG Vision (by very nature) gives invitation for incrementalism, because BIG vision requires BIG work. As I seek to articulate and understand the role of each detail required by the vision, it helps me keep the "We're on an Adventure" mindset thriving as I move forward. On the otherhand, if i fail to understand and identify with the details, I am apt to think, "Why go THERE, when it's good enough over HERE?".
Oh my goodness, totally agree with Michael Adams up there. I also think that when we make it a point to be intentional rather than just letting things happen, such as in our relationships, amazing things happen. I think this weekend's servolution is a great example of BIG VISION.
ReplyDeleteI make it a point to pray everyday for God to keep me focused on the main thing...the people. That our heart breaks for what breaks His. This desire to see the world be changed and to open our eyes to see the hurting around us helps me to keep in alignment the priorities in my life and not to go in maintenance mode.
ReplyDeleteOne way I think helps avoid this is staying focused on the vision and taking time to appreciate everything God is doing all around us at CAML and in people's lives. Seeing that people need what Jesus gives through us really keeps me focused on the truly important things in life.
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