This example is a great illustration how “out-of-the-box” thinking and investigation can change a complete industry for the better.  Just imagine the implementation of huge online products being implemented or other software tools without some type of project organization and management.  No matter how good the software system may be, its only as good as its effective implementation and utilization.

Today, more than ever, there exists an opportunity to join the best practices of two worlds like never before.  The new internet world has been an equalizer of sorts.  Both business and ministry organizations are finding that the old way doesn’t work anymore, or is less effective than once experienced.  The business world, however, due to the survival reality, has had to embrace the reality of a new culture, a new mindset, and a new customer much more aggressively than the ministry world.  Therefore, at times, the ministry world remains somewhat behind the eight ball, and has the incredible opportunity to make aggressive steps forward, to embrace the reality of a new mentality, culture, and market and to learn from the best leadership practices of business.

The following leadership areas/principles are a major focus of businesses throughout the United States and abroad, and should be leveraged within the ministry world, just as project management was several years ago within the business world:

• Change Leadership (change management):  The ability to drive and lead an organization through change
• Training and Development:  The prioritization to train individuals and teams
• Time/Project Management:  The ability to effectively organize and prioritize tasks and competing demands
• Vision Roadmapping and Prioritization:  Making Vision and Direction focused and understood by many levels of leadership and individual contributors
• Employee Motivation and Rewards:  Understanding that consistent motivation is critical to the performance and morale of an organization

Each of these areas are lacking considerably within the ministry world.  Traditional methods have encouraged pastors/ministry leaders/staff leadership to rest on their laurels, to maintain rather than pursue, to maintain a high level of “insanity”.  Insanity defined as ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results’.  Its simple, look around, the old way is no longer working.  If it were, more ministries/churches would be growing than declining. 

Change Leadership and Vision Roadmapping/Prioritization can be categorized together under Transformational Leadership.  Time/Project Management can be categorized as Ministry Management, and Training/Development and Employee Motivation/Rewards can be categorized under People Leadership.  Each category deserves significant attention and development within the ministry world.  Each leadership principle becomes ever so critical when dealing with the product of people’s lives.