Last week I outlined four big problems that every church must face. They’re big issues and there are no quick fixes. However, we can begin the process of fixing the problems that plague us.

Thom Rainer in his book Breakout Churches discovered a pattern that many great churches follow to solve their deep problems.

Step 1 – Accept painful reality: If you’ve ever come to the realization that you have a real problem, you know how painful that realization may be. There are many times that we don’t want to admit there is a problem because it hurts too much. The same is true with organizations. However, the sooner we realize that something is wrong, no matter how much it hurts, the sooner we can begin the healing process and fix the problem.


Step 2 – Use Is/should be discernment: Many times, we don’t face the painful reality because we think there is nothing wrong. We keep telling ourselves that things are better than they actually are just to find some comfort. To compound these problems, many times we are paralyzed by the shock of realizing that things are not the way they seem. A true leader pushes through. They go through the hard task of understanding the way things are and embrace the way that they should be.


Step 3 – Welcome positive outside influences: Many people when they realize that things are not right and know that they should be better start looking for answers anywhere they can find them. Unfortunately, there are a lot of naysayers out there and can lead us down the wrong path. Successful leaders seek out other people who are doing things right and ask them for help and guidance.

Step 4 – Influence changes: Now that they have followed the previous three steps, and only then, do great churches and their leaders begin to make changes. They take all of this information, and if they haven’t brought other influencers in on the project yet, do so here. They let them process the information and come to their own conclusions. They invite them have a voice in the solution and ensure buy-in from all parties involved. These leaders lay out the plan for moving forward and implement it slowly and methodically throughout the organization.

I had to follow a similar pattern in my own ministry. When I first came to Evangel the preschool and the elementary students worshipped together. I thought this was a great arrangement because of all the excitement the preschoolers brought to the room, and I believed no one else could do children’s worship in the preschool department. What’s more, the preschool department agreed with me!

However, after a few months, I realized that this was not working, and accepted the painful reality that I was hurting the children’s worship experience and robbing my leaders from the joy of leading worship. I knew that there had to be a better way, but wasn’t sure what that was. So I looked for positive outside influences. I asked another children’s worship leader at a conference for guidance . She gave very sound advice on how to fix it. I came home super excited, but knew I had to go slowly. I made a plan. Got the input of influential players, and trained others with the changes.

Now worship is better than it’s ever been.

Sadly, many leaders look to outside influences, good or bad, first and then with little thought, implement changes. This causes a lot of problems for their followers and many times makes things worse than they were before.

The journey to the solution can be long and difficult, and next week we will learn a great principle that will help us get through it.

Have you ever had to face the painful reality and fix it?  What did you do? Leave a comment below.