ONE BIG IDEA FOR EVERY FIELD TEAM YEAR
Our Area Director Initiative turns 12 years old this year. These are the “boots on the ground” …the field team, which includes me and more than 50 other men across the US. Twelve years is an accomplishment worth celebrating. And while thousands of churches have been helped through this Area Director field team, we are still learning and adjusting as we grow. To commemorate our team’s 12 years, I’ll be sharing 12 Big Ideas throughout the year in my ministry updates… ideas that have impacted me, our team, and men everywhere.
“God calls us to be faithful, not successful.”
Patrick Morley
As each of us began our journey into ministry with Man in the Mirror, we heard a valuable Big Idea in our very first week of training. Patrick Morley encouraged each of us not to be preoccupied with the results of our work. Instead, our concern should be with the effort we put forth.
BIG IDEA #1: “God calls us to be faithful, not successful.”
That one statement has made a lasting impression on me. I wasn’t completely unfamiliar with the thought—I just wasn’t thinking that way as I entered this new season of ministry. I felt a great sense of peace in an otherwise uncertain time of learning and adjustment. What a relief!
This “Big Idea” applies in two important ways for me and our team. First off, we know that since God has called us into this ministry, He will also provide what we need to do the work. That means I don’t need to worry about who offers financial support, or when. I just need to be faithful in sharing the vision of our ministry and asking people to seek God’s guidance about their partnership. The rest is out of my hands and firmly in His.
Second, as I seek to help leaders provide a discipleship pathway for every man in their church, I just need to inform churches about what we do and offer to serve them. I can’t force anyone to accept my help; I can only offer it. The rest is…well, you get the point.