The DNA Update for United Methodists with Dr. Don Nations for Mid-July 2015

The DNA Update for United Methodists with Dr. Don Nations for Mid-July 2015

The DNA Update for United Methodists with Dr. Don Nations for Mid-July 2015
In This Issue:

• Urgency
• Lessons from the Tour de France

Urgency
“A force or impulse that impels or restrains” according to the Miriam-Webster dictionary. It is a quality or state of “calling for immediate attention”.
I have worked with churches which had experienced significant decline in attendance, a dearth of people under 50, tight finances, a facility in need of repair and a community which had changed significantly. In most there has been little sense of urgency. The people wish there were more people in worship and talk about when the church used to do better but are resistant to embrace any significant change. They are content, or at least resigned, to who they are and the course they are on.
There are other churches, however, which have a sense of urgency. The people are not content to stay as they are. They are not willing to simply let the future happen to them. Instead, they want to find a way to be more effective. They are not always excited about making the necessary changes but they are willing to do so because their eyes are fixed on a greater goal.
Is there a sense of urgency in your church? If not, what do you need to do to create one? If so, what is the next step you need to take to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world?
Lessons from the Tour de France
The Tour de France, one of the biggest bicycle races in the world and three weeks in length, is about at its mid-point. There is much we can learn from the race and the racers but allow me to lift up three things.
It takes a team to win the race. None of the riders is there alone. No one wins the tour without the help of a team. Various teammates turn themselves inside out in order to set up another teammate for the win. The same is true in a church. We do not succeed as lone rangers. We need a team around us – a supportive system, enthusiastic lay people, an experienced coach, etc. if we really want to achieve at a higher level.
It takes more energy to ride alone. You can save up to 30% of your effort by riding in the slipstream of the person in front of you. This allows you to recover a bit and be ready to take your turn pulling at the front. You are not the only leader and yours is not the only church which is seeking to reach more people. Find others who are moving at your pace or a bit faster and ride with them. Learn from them and then contribute around the things you do well.
No one is great at everything. There are riders who are specialists at sprints and can go faster than almost anyone else in the race. These are also the riders who tend to drop off the pace first when climbing big mountains. Some people sprint, some climb mountains, some are great going downhill and some excel in individual time trials. All of them are valuable but no one person is the best at all of them. Find out what you are good at and leverage those strengths. Find others who have other strengths and add them to your team. You do not have to do everything well (or be like anyone else) to be faithful and effective.
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