New show came out.  Undercover Boss.  Only caught the last 20 minutes of it and hope to catch some more later.  The premise:  Bosses and CEO’s of companies go “undercover”  and see what it’s like on the front lines of their business.  I think it illustrates a powerful leadrship axiom.  Beyond being aware of the happenings at all levels of your organization, take a step away from the day to day responsibiities to see how the systems (that you put in place) are actually working (or not). 

Ministry leaders get caught in a dilemma: Sunday comes so quick (and frequently) that its easy to just work at the main thing that you do. Preaching. Vistitation. Follow up. Marry. Bury.  If you get so busy that you can’t take time to challenge the processes and systems in order to improve them, ultimately, your organiztion can’t reach it’s potential.  Some leaders say it concisely: Don’t just work in your church, work on your church.

Some examples:  *Don’t preach one sunday and pretend you are a guest.  Show up 2 minutes late.  Are the greeters still greeting?  what does the parking situation look like? How are the signs placed (if you are a portable church).  What’s traffic like when the “normal” people are showing up? 

*Spend the whole hour in your children’s minisry. Change a diaper in the nursury.  See what you volunteers give up (and gain) when they miss the worship service.

*Go to another church.  See what wow’s you.  And what makes you cringe. 

*Go to another person’s work.  See how other people make their living and how that might influence their relationshp with Jesus and commitment to church.

*Go to a conference. Read. Sharpen the ax. 

Work on it.  Not just in it.