Hard Truths

As I work with churches, I sometimes have to communicate hard truths. Oftentimes, as humans, we are too close to what is happening in our services and various ministry areas to be objective. We’ve gotten used to things as they are – even things that shouldn’t be – and have let some things slide because we “didn’t have the energy” to address them…
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not exempting myself. I’ve done that in many areas in my life, ignoring real issues in the hope that they’ll just go away. They virtually never do…
The solution? Get someone else’s eyes on the problem(s). Give them permission to tell you the truth. The REAL truth. The WHOLE truth. Ask someone whose opinions you trust to come in for a weekend and attend the services as if they were a first-timer. How was parking? Is it easy (and safe) to check kids in? Did the service start on time? Did things make sense? Realize that these folks may tell you things that you may not really want to hear – but that’s exactly what you need for them to do.
One of the reasons that church leaders bring me in as a consultant and “secret shopper,” in addition to experience/expertise in church work, is simply for a set of fresh eyes and to hear truth from someone whose opinion doesn’t sting too personally. It also helps avoid turning their congregational members (or friends) from worshippers into church critics…
Seek out the truth. Have the courage to accept it. More to come on what to do then…
“A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.” – Albert Einstein