Continual Improvement is Better Than Excellence
Okay, I got some of you fired up with that statement, didn’t I? Let me tell you why I think this is true.
Excellence means something different to everyone. Whether large church or large company, finances, staff, facility and reputation are easier, and thus excellence, than with a small church or company. If you have more resources, you certainly have a better shot at doing things well. If smaller, you can’t match the resources of the larger church or company, as your resources are considerably less. Thus, the degree of excellence is almost always hard to match. This can be discouraging to small and even mid-size companies and churches.
If, however, you change your thought from being as excellent as the best models you see to continual improvement, it is much more encouraging for these reasons:
Every one of us can improve. This is doing your very best with what you have to move ahead. This is doable, whereas being as excellent right now as those guys who are the very best is most likely not.
It is more encouraging because it is doable. You will feel better immediately, as you are making progress that is measureable.
Things improving leads to momentum. We start now to do our best and we begin to see constant and positive progress. This creates momentum.
More people come alongside you. People want to be a part of something that is growing. If a place is developing a story that could be great, they want to be a part of making it happen. This place is going somewhere!
New people bring greater resources. Now you are able to take it up a notch. The recent improvement creates opportunity to improve even further.
You feel more fulfilled and gratified immediately. You are seeing momentum that is ongoing and you can feel a sense of joy that remains.
You will be surprised that the excellence you longed for has arrived. It was possible all along, it was just a journey that was a little longer, but actually better. You have learned so much and you can show others the way now too.
I know it takes the Lord and His blessing, but I also know it is amazing what God does when we work hard to build His kingdom with the thought of continual improvement.
Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)
Grace & Truth,
Pastor Stan