There are many different diet strategies that work. For example, one person may use the Weight Watcher program—counting calories and increasing fruit and vegetable intake—and see great results. Another person may go the low-carb route, an entirely different approach, and also see great results.
The key, of course, is picking a strategy and sticking with it. It would be quite foolish and ineffective to go low-carb for two days and then jump to Weight Watchers for a few days and then insert a random cheat day before re-launching the low-carb approach. Because the strategies are fundamentally different, the body would not benefit from the confusing direction shift. The body suffers when the strategy is not clear or is constantly changing.
In a local church, the body also suffers when the strategy is not clear or is constantly changing.
Strategy is the “how” that serves the “what”—the mission. Strategy is how the mission of the church, or the ministry, is accomplished. And one of the most ineffective things a local church can do is shift strategy every few months. Yet I see it all the time.
Many churches are plagued with:
- Lack of Focus—leaders attempt to blend a bunch of strategies together, resulting in a plethora of competing directions or
- Lack of Discipline—leaders shift strategy frequently, thus never realizing the full potential of the strategy they previously adopted.
Choosing a strategy requires wise focus, and sticking with a strategy for a greater impact requires great discipline. As Jack Welch stated, “Strategy should be straightforward. You pick a general direction and implement like crazy.”
