Sell The Problem, Not The Solution

William Bridges, in his most helpful title, Managing Transitions, offers the sagacious wisdom - - "Sell The Problem, Not The Solution". There is a persistent mad scramble to "fix" the problem. Bridges states the obvious, but almost always ignored wisdom, essential to Transformation. There are no quick fixes. There is 'death in that pot' my brothers. The declension from passionate orthodoxy did not come upon us quickly and it will not be extricated by the application of simplistic "outside in" programs, a new method. If there is not an ethos and pathos, an emotitonal conviction that there is a problem, NO SOLUTION WILL EVER BE EMBRACED!!

When IgniteUS was founded, our Purpose was and is singular, clear and urgent. We seek the power of the Spirit of God to bring Transformation to the church in America. The need for this is obvious even to a casual observer. The decline in the institutional church is precipitous, accelerating and dramatic. So, churches will readily accept the need to change with a sense of urgency, right? WRONG!!

There is a pervasive numbness among men charged with leadership responsibilities. Notice I did not grant them the noble title "Leaders". Leadership is about effectivenss not titles. They are 'at ease in Zion'. They are much like the Scribes & Pharisees. There is most certainly a problem, but, not with us! The sense of urgency that the church in America is on the fast track to spiritual disaster is absent. Facts alone will never change values. We present data ad naseum, by volume. It has little or no impact. Their eyes glaze. They look at their watches and wonder - - 'when will this be over?'

So, we are giving humble and passionate effort to "Sell The Problem". The Problem is real, immediate and urgent. When you read this, fall to your knees and cry out to the Living God. Implore Him to awaken the church. Plead with Him to come upon us.

Transformation is an "inside out" process over time. It requires Transparency and Vulnerability. It requires repentance and humility that comes through brokeness. It begins with Leadership. It ripples out through the Leaders and makes its way through the body person by person.

So Pastor, have you "Sold the Problem"? We exist to equip and walk with you through that difficult but ever so glorious process. Where can we go Lord. You have the words of life. Bring Your Power and Grace to the church. We wait upon You with hope and anticipation.

"Mother May I?"

When I was a child we played a game called "Mother May I". The trick was to execute certain commands always prefaced by the statement "Mother May I". If you failed to make that request in conjunction with the action, you were disqualified.

What does that have to do with Leadership in the local church? Much indeed.

Leadership is about change, not managing 'status quo'. Exhibit A could well be the current melt down among the Big Three US Auto Makers. They have clung to an antiquated business model that is now sinking their collective ship. They were not unaware of the issues. They were unwilling to find the courage and apply the wisdom to change that model before we arrived at this "Mother May I" groveling routine being played out on the Hill.

Status Quo is always the preferred 'modus operandi' by the majority. This requires little change and a minimum of sacrifice, at least for a time. This same mentality permeates the church. Boards, made up of people who generally recognize the cost of change, hold the assembly to 'status quo'. They offer reasons ad naseum for doing so. If those reasons are examined under the light of Scripture and an accurate and hermeneutically sound exegesis of the text, there is usually not a shred of legitimacy in their appeal.

This is where the game of 'Mother May I' begins. Rather than gathering the biblical rationale through careful exegesis and setting that before the body, Pastors engage the MMI mantra. They come with a timid and often ill-crafted proposal as to why change must take place. Their initial appeal is rejected. They retreat to their study and cry out to God about "how lonely it is at the top"! How sad.

I am not suggesting a high handed ruthlessness that would be correctly labeled 'lording it over' their people. I am stating without hesitation that Shepherds must develop and implement ministry structures that consitently result in the Transformation of the people of God into the fulness of the Image of Christ. That is Leadership. Anything less is managing status quo. This process begins with a careful and objective assessment of current reality. It requires courage and tenacity in the implementation of the changes necessary and revealed through that assessment. That is the easy portion. The real challenge is keeping the focus on our purpose - - MAKE DISCIPLES. This is a process that requires wisdom, courage and time - lots and lots of time. It is as Churck Swindoll said, Three Steps Forward & Two Steps Back.

Once this process is operative, we must measure our effectiveness. This is best accomplished in a '360' mode. Get feed back from all angles. Listen. Evaluate. Modify. Press on.

So Pastor, are you operating in the "Mother May I" mode or are you a Leader? It really does matter. I invite your response. Also, celebrate the Incarnation with the enthusiasm and passion it rightly deserves.

In Grace,
Tom