A New Year has dawned and within the first quarter of this year we should see the release of the next book God has enabled me to write, Turnaround Journey. One of the struggles churches and all organizations face is effectively implementing plans, strategies, and events. Turnaround Journey takes the reader inside the meeting rooms of Calvert City Community Church as they embark on a journey unlocking the intricacies of successful strategic planning and execution for effective ministry and carrying out the Great Commission, the church’s main purpose or mission.
Once the church unlocks these intricacies they realize the process is uncomplicated and simple enough to assist the church (any church) in planning and executing strategies on every level of the organization with great effectiveness. Included in Turnaround Journey are thirty-four leadership insights that will assist leaders of any organization or ministry in becoming more effective and efficient in leading others and accomplishing the organizational goals and objectives.
After reading the manuscript for Turnaround Journey, Syd Garrett, a friend and executive with one the world’s largest telecommunications organization wrote this, “Turnaround Journey is an excellent handbook for all leaders in the church — ministers, teachers, staff, as well as lay leaders. George Yates does a fantastic job of laying out the tools and techniques for leadership and problem solving in the church. In reality, many of the insights are really not limited to churches – really applicable to a Christian leader of any organization. I’m going to borrow some of the analogies and approaches for use at work.”
In this blog for the next 8 weeks I plan to give you, the reader, a taste of what to expect from the upcoming book Turnaround Journey, giving some of the brief leadership insights found in the book. Today, let me share this story.
While serving on staff at a mid-judicatory office (denominational office servicing churches in the region), I had a vision, a plan to implement a regional equipping and training conference. This was not just another conference. My thoughts were to bring in experienced, successful ministry leaders for all areas of church ministry and office work to lead training and equipping sessions for people serving in those particular ministry positions i.e. secretaries, Sunday School teachers, Youth Ministry, Deacons, Treasurers, Women’s Ministry, etc. We would bring in twenty-five in all the first year. My boss approved the idea and I went to work. I approached the next level judicatory and asked for their help. They gladly accepted and got behind the effort financially, and with personnel to help plan and lead conferences.
One thought I will never forget from that meeting with the next level judicatory leaders. They asked what I would consider a success as far as people attending the inaugural event. I stated that I had asked our staff to pray for four hundred (400). They did not laugh or tell me it could not be done. However, they did try to let me down easy (as this was my first attempt at something on this scale). They informed me that no one in their building could remember in twenty years of hosting and promoting training events in this particular region ever having more than 250 people in attendance. They could not explain it. In other regions larger numbers were the norm. But not the region where we were planning to host this event.
A little deflated, I went back and told my staff, but said, I believe 400 is the number we are to continue praying for, and we did. On the day of that inaugural event we did not have 400 in attendance. 520 people showed up that day for training and equipping for ministry. There were a lot of logistical headaches that day, but what a glorious day it was. I was humbled and blessed at God showing up and showing out that day. Each of the next five years that conference grew while I was part of it – not because of me, but because of a God who is greater than all those involved.
I share this story with you because people ask, how can we get more participation or better results at our events, ministries, etc. As I have studied this I realize most people or organizations can plan. But there is a huge difference between planning and strategic planning with effective execution and implementation. Turnaround Journey helps answer these questions leading to effective and efficient execution and implementation by giving the reader a simple formula to follow. Enjoy the Journey!
For more information on Turnaround Journey and to be placed on a list for a pre-release copy contact George Yates and visit SonC.A.R.E. Ministries.