The Story of Change
"BLESSED ARE THE FLEXIBLE, FOR THEY WILL SURVIVE."
We all experience change. I have discovered that while it is expected, and missionaries are better than most at it, we still don't really like it.
Why do you think that is?
Change is uncomfortable because we become vulnerable to failure. However, if we want to really grow, we need to lean into change. There is a basic individual theory of change and growth model from the Center for Creative Leadership that helps us put this into a frame that we can understand and explore.
Adults need three things present in equal measures to really see results in learning and growth. We need assessment, challenge, and support in the context of relationships.
- When we have too much Assessment we feel over criticized and demotivated.
- When we have too much Challenge we feel overwhelmed and demotivated.
- When we have too much Support we feel stagnate and demotivated.
We know that you have plenty of challenges in your every day life and ministry... things like getting Visas to stay in the country, to language, to relationships in your host country or even in your passport country.
What does assessment look like? It can be as simple as reflection on your day and asking yourself questions about how you are doing in various specific relationships or ministry or it can be asking others to give you feedback about how they are experiencing you. When we ask for quarterly reports, we are asking you to take a moment and do an inventory and assess yourself.
What is support? Not just financial support, but do you have resources and support to help you grow? Someone to remind you that it won't always be this hard. Someone who has been before you perhaps. We want to give you support by coming alongside you. We will listen, encourage, challenge, coach and pastor you.
Take a minute and consider your primary ministry role right now.
What would that be?
When you think of that role in terms of ACS- label these circles if they represented by their size how much of each you felt like you have - what would they look like? Is there relationship present that delivers these things?
After you finish this, note that you just assessed yourself and used this change tool as a diagnostic tool. If you did this, take a few minutes to explain and share it to someone close to you, so it sinks in!
I would love to hear or see where you feel like you are right now in your ministry and your personal lives, so feel free to email me!
Blessings,
Charlene Garrett
VP of Operations