Three Things Ministry Leaders Often Overlook

As I've worked alongside churches and ministry organizations over the last several years, I've observed three things that strongly shape their receptivity and impact. They are: content, experiences and relationships.

Content

For me, content refers to quality of what's being shared. If the communication lacks depth or application, listeners will quickly disengage. People simply will not listen to things they don't receive value from. Growing ministries continually produce desirable content in their teachings, literature and online media. Quality content certainly makes a difference.

Experiences 
Whether you like it or not, experiences are also an important part of modern-day engagement. I've found that individuals do whatever they can to avoid what is dull and disengaging. Yet, dynamic encounters produce an entirely different response. People will adjust their schedule to participate in something new and exciting. Ministries that don't give people something worth attending will watch as their pews empty. Influential churches have learned the importance of experiencing the work of the Holy Spirit regularly. Don't be mistaken experiences always matter.

Relationships 
The third and most important dynamic of a growing ministry is relationships. With so much alienation and conflict today, people desperately want to find an authentic expression of community. You've probably seen this too, but right now there's a deep longing for family permeating our nation. So, if people don't find meaningful connections in a local ministry, they simply won't remain associated. Churches who deliberately invest in relationships now will be in a better position to expand in the coming years. Relational connections are truly essential.

Leaders are often looking at other areas of concern but I would urge them to consider these three dimensions. While there are many things affecting ministries, perhaps some of the most pivotal issues involve content, experiences, and relationships.

The question for leaders near and far is what are we going to do about this? How are we going to work to improve these areas of concern?

If our ministries don't have worthwhile content, experiences or relationships, then we don't have anything sustainable to offer.