Gabe Kolstad here again today.  I’ve been through two Advanced Coaching Networks with Nelson and I’m the Senior Pastor of Westside Community Church in Beaverton, Oregon.

Last week we looked at the 5 Change Killers that hold us back from leading effectively in a changing world.  Hopefully you’ve been able to go to work on at least one of those areas and experience some progress.

Today we’ll be diving in to explore the first two of 4 ways you can speed up and increase the effectiveness of your change efforts.  Let’s jump right in…

1. ACTION: Do what you can, right now. 

Tony Robbins once said, “Motion creates emotion.”  That’s very true, and it’s helpful to realize this when we’re looking to make positive changes in the church.

The worst thing you can do for your church is nothing.  

Stagnation is contagious, and it will hold you back when you want to go forward.

Think about it, what is the first step in the right direction?  Can you take that step right now?

Maybe it would be helpful to approach it this way: What is one change you can make without asking anyone permission?

Find it, do it, and create some forward motion today.

2. VISION: Get clear about where you’re going.

As we know – vision for God’s church is discovered, not created.  He has already planned it all out.  Your task as the leader is to discern what that plan is, and to communicate the vision to your leaders and your entire church.

If you’re not sure where to start, remember that you’re really just trying to answer the question, “What will it look like when we get there?”

Les & Leslie Parrott define vision as “A picture of the future that creates passion in the present.”  Talk it out, write it out, pray it out, and don’t wait until it’s perfect or complete to begin sharing it.  You might look for a prop or a physical illustration to help explain it to your people.

Most importantly, make sure the priorities, activities, and resources of your church support the direction God is leading you.

That’s 2 of the 4 accelerators that I’ve identified and used in my church.

I’ll share the other two in tomorrow’s post – talk to you then.

Gabe