I have spent time this past month reflecting on the time spent with our associates during the annual report conference calls. The first call had the highest participation but was the worst time of interaction. When I started the call, I felt like I needed to cover the details of the report. When it was over I did have some feedback from several of you. Thanks, because the rest of the calls I asked more questions and we listened to one another discuss our purpose and what our associates valued most about our organization.
I have stated in an earlier newsletter, “Our shared purpose has been to create a place for experienced leaders to pursue their God-given mission. That purpose is worth pursuing for all of our sakes and for the sake of Kingdom. That purpose is one that we each contribute to everyday whether we know it or not by first living out our mission in the place of service that God has called us and the second by enjoying the “place” that God has provided for us to pursue that mission. The passion to share with one another and to contribute to this “organizational place” comes from our shared experience of accomplishment and the anticipation of future accomplishments.”
As a result of the discussions I have had during the conference calls and since I have with Jim Lackey, Dave Jones, and the members who have volunteered to be a part of guiding council as we design our future: Randy Lee, Rich Amos and Niecy Locricchio (Mary Wade was not able to make the call because of scheduling conflict.) Here are some questions I am asking:
- If the reason most of our associates join with us is because of the “organizational platform," what are the minimum requirements from our associates that are necessary to maintain that platform?
- Once a member’s ministry outgrows the need for the platform what would make the place attractive enough to want to stay connected?
- What about who we are as a mission organization that compels me and would compel others to voluntarily contribute their time, talents, and money to the whole organization?
- What vision is big enough to not only keep our current members with a desire to share and to contribute but would attract the right kind of future members who would join with us?
- How many members who share and contribute to the whole organization would it take to have enough momentum for the organization to continue to grow?
If you have any answers to these questions or perhaps you are asking additional questions please e-mail me.
If our mission statement is “a community of servants in mission.” I would also like to invite each of you to add words that connect with your heart to help create a vision statement of what we could be. For example, “a place for leaders to pursue their calling.” Then unpack the phrase by adding adjectives that describe what is important.”For example, “a safe place for proven leaders who are followers of Christ to live out their dreams.
