Preparing for Change–Using your E.Y.E.S.

After reading my entry on New Year’s Research, my uncle let me know that he particularly enjoyed my acronyms—GIGs and PRUNING. So thanks to him, I put a healthy dose of acronyms in today’s post. Many of us know the story of Noah and the Ark. I like to think of the story as “Noah: The ARK (Already Ready Kind)”. Noah’s obedience to God and perception of impending environmental change (40 days/40 nights of rain) led him to set up a structure (the ark) that was able to withstand change. When the change came, he was already ready.

Now I’m sure you know of the Already Ready Kinds of this world. The shop for Christmas in July types who were watching Home Alone 1 on December 24th while you were fighting over the last Nintendo Wii. Whether you consider yourself an ARK or not, this entry suggests (similar to last week’s focus on research) that preparation and organization are key to ministry success this year. In a recent sermon, my pastor shared the quote “God propels prepared people into their purpose.” Our GIGs and our ambitions mean little without preparation.

The Prepared are Preserved

Noah and his family were preserved because of Noah’s structure. Leaders who prepare, preserve themselves and their teams. Lack of preparation and structure puts a strain on you, as the leader, and your followers. Noah’s preparation also positioned him to save the animals and store up food.  Preparation will save you time, money, and energy in your ministry efforts. You will be able to stock up on the essentials early, which is bound to save you time and money.

Know Your Environment

True preparation demands that we know our environment. Had Noah not been aware of his environment he would have been unprepared when the floods came. To be truly prepared for this year in ministry, I suggest that you use your EYES (Evaluation of Your Environmental Situation). Your EYES should be a major component of your strategic planning for the year.

Your EYES is conventionally referred to as “environmental scanning.” Environmental scanning focuses on the identification of any issues, developments, trends, practices and events that can affect your organization. Ministry leaders are often oblivious to the social, technological, economic, environmental, and political (STEEP) changes (or potential changes) that can help or hinder their ministry work. Here are a few questions that will help you get a better understanding of your external environment.

1. What are the STEEP changes that can affect the future of my ministry this year?

2. When are they likely to occur? Have they already taken place?

3. In what way do I think they can affect my ministry?

4. How well prepared is my ministry to adapt to, respond to, or benefit from these changes?

5. What can we do to be more prepared?

 

- Atnre Alleyne