#1 - Focus on one milestone.
With your leadership team, choose one milestone (or goal) that will move your church toward your vision. Then, invite and expect every ministry in the church to be a part of it. This kind of singular focus in the area of organizational milestones is something I’ve been preaching for years in the Vision Frame process. It will encourage different ministries to work together and create a shared sense of ownership that will yield surprising results for the kingdom of God.
#2 - Mentor one leader.
Develop and implement a plan to mentor one leader on your team in a significant and intentional way. Spend time, build a deep relationship, and come alongside to encourage and challenge them to grow. You will never be able to mentor every leader in your church in a significant way, but you can mentor one leader in 2012. Start today.
#3 - Gain perspective through one meal.
Share a meal once a month with someone who is not a Christian and who does not attend your church. Then, make sure that the conversation revolves around them. What are they concerned about? What struggles do they have? By doing this, you will gain an invaluable perspective that will shape the way you lead, the way you preach, and the way you pray for your community.
These three leadership decisions—one milestone, one leader, one meal—have the potential to radically disrupt your ministry-as-usual routine, propelling you to a new level of leadership and your church to a new level of effectiveness.