A Little Missiology

Something I read recently has really helped me to take a look at our whole life here in Armenia, and evaluate our strategy. I was reading a book from Andy Stanly's ministry called The Seven Practices of Effective Ministry. The book describes the need to look at our ministry in terms of "steps taken toward achieving our set goal" rather than a series of programs that in themselves generally do something to achieve the goal.

The big difference: You don't let yourself launch a program because it is a "good program." You don't feel pressured to copy what someone els is doing in another country, or for that matter in your own country. You don't allow a big donor to drive what you do on the field. You don't let a low impact missions team come in that is from a church with big money. You don't get busy with a project that will bring prestige, but very little results. You don't burn yourself out for that sake of looking busy.

Rather: You pay attention to how everything you do takes a step toward achieving the vision. You keep things simple, yet powerful. You become very good at doing a few things, rather than mediocre at doing everything. You forgive yourself for not pleasing everyone that wants something from you. Like Covey wrote in 7 Habbits, you "begin with the end in mind." And finally, you allow the Holy Spirit to define your vision and strategy, rather than letting the million voices coming at you define your vision and strategy.

The best thing about the book...it was short, to the point, and powerful.