The Strategy of Three

by Misty Phillips

I love to hear of families who have had their kids impacted by the influence of a consistent Small Group Leader. It’s a beautiful thing! It thrills my heart to hear stories of kids and parents sharing sweet moments talking together about God at the end of their busy day. I get chills as I consider how many churches are doing creative, innovative services to reach families on the weekend. What a beautiful trifecta. When God, home and church align, it’s rarely by accident. It is purposeful. It’s strategic. It makes room for kids to grow and live out their faith in practical ways.

As a ministry leader, there were days I’m glad my head was attached and I remembered both shoes. Ministry is hard! If I could start again, I’d do less and focus more. It’s easy to fall into the trap of letting “IT” (ministry) happen to you.

What if you stepped back before the New Year and decided to be PROactive rather than REactive in ministry to kids and families? I decided long ago that I didn’t want to run programs. I wanted to invest and provide tools to bring about spiritual fruit in families—the fruit of the unfolding story of this glorious gospel. My heart wanted energized volunteers “in the flow” of their gifts who couldn’t wait for another weekend to come. I wanted to invite more people into serving.

Do you really want results as you lead? Have a long-term strategy in place. Do the math: Church has about 40 hours with a child per year, and parents have 3,000. Those are statistics that invoke the need for strategy. With a three-part focused strategy to align church, Small Group Leaders and home, there’s an opportunity for a bigger impact.

Check out Ecclesiates 4:12 (NIrV):

One person could be overpowered.
But two people can stand up for themselves.
And a rope made out of three cords isn’t easily broken.

Church, home and another consistent voice speaking into the life of a child is the trifecta. Three strong cords of a strategy win so a child in your ministry won’t be overpowered.

Misty Phillips is a 252 Basics Orange Specialist, Orange coach, and a strategic thinker who thrives on helping leaders be effective.