June 17, 2016September 6, 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

If Only We Had a Lot More Money!

What is your first thought when you think about growing your organization?

Be honest.

Sometimes it is tempting to think about growth first of all in terms of the budget. I mean, if only you had a bundle of money, you could make a ton of ministry happen, right?

WRONG!

I know, we are inclined to think that a $40 million organization is so much greater, and does so much more, than a $2 million ministry. The fact is, that a smaller organization may be accomplishing as much if not more than the larger one if it is growing in the right ways.

Only then can you know if you are truly growing. Sure, taking in more money is always nice and we strive for it, in its place.

But it is possible to take in millions at a church or non-profit but yet not accomplishing much other than providing some people nice jobs.

Keep your life’s top priority straight and do what you can with what you have. North Star will help you grow your budget, but first will help your organization grow in every possible way to the glory of God.

With the right priorities and plan in place, all the money you will ever need will be there.

H. David Schuringa

April 16, 2016September 6, 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Are You a Student in These Three Schools?

Everyone should engage in life-long learning, especially you who head churches and non-profits. But what does this entail? Here’s three proven “schools” for growth in vital knowledge for your important task.

1. The School of Winners
Nothing feels better than a win. You plan, you set goals. When you and your team accomplish the plan, you sit back, lite up a cigar (metaphorically speaking) and bask in the afterglow of your success.

When you win, you learn a thing or two that is worth repeating. Sometime you just stumble on to a victory but you also learn much from positive unintended consequences. So take notes in this school of the good times. You learn much by doing and by reflecting on what you have done well.

2. The School of the Experts
You learn more, however, by studying under those a little further up down the road. This classroom of experts can take various shapes and forms.

There are your many fellow leader-travelers to tap and, especially, seek out a mentor and professional consultants. From these you can learn directly by sitting at their feet and picking their brains.

A step removed but equally valuable are educational tools such as books, articles, lectures, conferences, seminars and webinars. In this classroom are people-in-the-know. You should always be working your way through a significant book by an expert in your field. Enroll in this school so you can learn the next winning play.

3. The School of Hard Knocks
Where you gain the most knowledge is also the most painful: your mistakes and failures. Naturally we tend to gloss over, rationalize, blame others and shove mistakes out of our mind. It’s part pride and part hurt that wants to just move on.

But every successful leader I’ve ever met readily admits they learned the most from their goofs. So look in the mirror and own up to yours. Ditch your pride. Work through the pain. Pick yourself up, dust off your pants and surge ahead.

When things don’t go right, dare to ask yourself probing questions like …

“How could I have done that differently with better results?”
“If I could get a do-over, what should I have said instead?”
“Who could I have consulted before jumping in head first?”

Never close the door on the school of hard knocks.

The superintendent of these three schools is the School Master of Success. Stick close to the chief teacher in the life-long learning process and watch your ministry soar. He will hand you your diploma someday.

H. David Schuringa

March 22, 2016September 6, 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Is Diversity a Dirty Word?

Recently a famous television awards show was slammed for lack of diversity. The question, why are all the winners white, was posed.

Many folks from a conservative standpoint cringe at the word, “diversity.” Forced quotas and affirmative action come to mind that causes nervous opposition forces to dig in their heals.

But is diversity a dirty word?

In my experience the answer is no. While I am unsure that it is wise to force diversity, what is needed is for leaders to see the value of diversity for their organizations.

I recently was asked to write an article on addictions and, I felt I was ill equipped to do so alone. So I gathered as diverse a group I could to meet in order to discuss the important issue.

Diversity that explodes with God’s blessings includes participants such as people-of-color, white people, females, males, ethnic variety, old, young, differing educational levels, backgrounds and sexual orientations, folks with disabilities and those with more or less experience. I can testify to the fact that it probably was one of my better articles because it benefited from the ideas of so many people not like me.

And that’s precisely the point.

Everyone in the body is important and has a role to play, says Paul. The eye cannot say to the foot, I don’t need you,without negative consequences on the entire body. That’s because God has something special for your ministry from those who are different from you. Your organization will benefit greatly from diversity.

Most importantly, diversity honors the King of the Church. North Star can help you accomplish diversity in a way that benefits your ministry beyond your wildest imagination.

H. David Schuringa

2016 Copyright (c) North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

January 26, 2016February 29, 2016 North Star Ministry Consultants, LLC

Avoid the Numbers Game

It is tempting to think about growth first of all in terms of numbers, especially with respect to the budget.

We are inclined to think that a $40 million organization is so much greater than a $2 million ministry. The fact is, that a smaller organization may be accomplishing as much if not more than the larger one if it is growing in the right ways.

The first way to determine organizational growth and effectiveness is not how much revenue is coming in but how much ministry is going out. This takes an accurate, verifiable way to quantify ministry output. Only then can you know if you are truly growing. Sure, taking in more money is always nice and we strive for it, in its place.

But it is possible to take in millions at a church or non-profit but yet not accomplishing much other than providing some people nice jobs.

H. David Schuringa