Getting Unstuck - Part 2

    In my previous post, I outlined the first four steps to get unstuck. You can read the entire post here.  For sake of review, the first four steps are as follows:
 
    1.  Create a sense of urgency.
     2.  Stop and pray.
     3.  Get help.
     4.  Form a plan.

  After forming a plan to get unstuck, you will have to proceed to eliminating the issues that resulted in getting stuck in the first place.

5. Remove barriers

  Think of a NASCAR.  I’m not a NASCAR enthusiast but I do know the lighter the car, the faster it can go. In Hebrews 12:2, we are exhorted to “lay aside every hindrance” to “run with endurance the race set before us.”  Running the race well means we have to remove barriers and limitations.  What barriers do you need to remove to get unstuck?  Maybe you will have to get to bed sooner.  Maybe you will have to turn off your phone so as to avoid being distracted with alerts and texts.  Unload whatever barriers you need to unload in order to sharpen your focus and increase your likelihood of getting unstuck from your spiritual rut.

6. Aim for short-term wins

  In the beginning of 2021, we at FCC set out to execute our ministry blueprint.  We had crafted a revised purpose and vision as well as a new mission.  Our audacious goal was to double our level of in-person and online engagement by July 1, 2021.  Our short term wins were to elevate small groups, extend our outreach, increase online presence, enhance our focus on children and youth, as well as elevate our Sunday morning worship experience.

  On a personal note, many years ago I set out to complete a super intense 60 day exercise program.  My short term wins were simple.  Complete the first workout and get through the first week.  Once I got brought the first week, nothing was stopping me.  Nothing did.  I completed the program.

  What are you short-term wins?  If you want to read through the Bible in a year, a good short-term win would be to read through a book of the Bible.  Or, if you are trying to improve your prayer life, a smart short-term win would be utilize the Prayer Mate app and create an organized prayer lists to help you pray effectively.  

7. Sustain momentum

  Once you aim for the short-term wins, keep sustaining momentum.  In our current church setting, once we notched our short-term wins, we knew we had to keep the momentum going.  Sustaining momentum in our context looked like having a meeting to ensure ministry alignment so that we all are pulling in the same direction. It also meant collaborating with those ministry leaders to encourage them and keep their focus sharp.  Sustaining momentum may not mean always pushing ahead but taking planned breaks to keep yourself fresh and moving forward with vigor and excitement. In the gospel of John, Jesus had a sense of his “hour,” laying down his life as the sacrifice of our sins.  He lived for this purpose.  Yet, Jesus often disengaged from a busy schedule to pray (Luke 5:15-16).  This act of disengagement kept him engaged in His life’s work and sustained ministry momentum.

8. Anchor the Change

  Anchoring the change involves celebrating the accomplishment of getting unstuck. It also means remembering the process that got you here. We could thinking of communion/Lord’s Supper as means of anchoring change.  By partaking of the bread and the cup, Christians are reminded of the historical event of Jesus’ sacrifice that is the basis of the best change ever, salvation.

  What will help you anchor your change?  If you aren’t sure, I’d love to help.  

  Now that you have worked on steps 1-4, proceed to strategize on steps 5-8.  If you aren’t sure how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Pastor Tim