People get stuck because it’s so easy to choose a safe place and surround yourself with what’s comfortable. We love the comfortable; maybe comfortable is your safe place.
So, the big question may be, is the safe place the best place?
The obvious answer is no. Flexibility and change are better choices. Our times call for flexibility. If you do not flex, you will break or become obsolete.
The saying, “What got you here will not take you there,” is true. Ministry is no exception.
Just look around at the churches in your community. Most buildings are 25-75 years old and were not updated. The flower beds are overgrown and the plants are not pruned or trimmed.
The outside can reflect what goes on inside. Just like some of us, we rely on the past to define our present.
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins” (Mark 2:22, NKJV).
Your past accomplishments are vital but less vital in a new era.
Here are a few hacks to move you out of an old paradigm.
1. It’s time to learn new skills
There is no time like the present. We are in a new normal. COVID-19 ushered in significant changes to society and the church. We are not going back to normal because normal is no longer.
2. Embrace the hard stuff
Learning new skills is never easy, and learning new methods to an old skill is more complicated. The best educational tools of our time are right at our fingertips. Google and YouTube have training for almost every topic on the planet. Dive in headfirst.
3. Learn your season
Everyone has a prime season. If you are a super talent, you can extend that season but sooner or later your prime will fade away. A decline from your peak does not mean you’re washed up. It does mean that you must learn how to re-purpose yourself and accept a lesser role.
Even John the Baptist knew this to be true.
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30, NLT).
4. Embrace your changing role
Both individuals and team players face the reality of a role change. If you are on a team, you must discover how to serve your team in the new season of life.
If your best skill set is from a previous decade, then go to work. Don’t give up or give in to frustration. Don’t sell out to low self-worth. It’s not the end of the world.
Some chapters end without our agreement. There’s no point trying to keep open what is closing.
Accept the things you cannot change and maximize the opportunities in front of you.
5. Discover the best way to serve your team
People get stuck in older styles and old habits. We must continue to evolve as a talent. Don’t do what you always do. Do what your leader needs you to do.
Ask your leader what the team needs from you in this season. This is a transition from the old you. Transitions open the door to the unexpected. Something better will show up.
Some of the most significant outcomes will be the ones you never knew you wanted.
So, embrace the change and don’t be afraid to let go of the old.
You can read this post also on thomasmcdanielsministries.com. {eoa}
Thomas McDaniels is a husband, pastor, dad and grandfather. He is also a public speaker, author and podcast host. Listen to his podcast, 5-Fold Unplugged, on Charisma Podcast Network. Thomas has written for church leaders and currently writes for Charisma Media outlets. Thomas is the founder of lifebridge.tv and the guy behind thomasmcdaniels.com. You can find Thomas on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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