The Next Level

What is it that takes a ministry to the next level? Is wishing enough? Of course not. Taking a ministry - any ministry - to the next level requires some serious investment of time and work. Here are some things that are absolute musts:

1. Quality time with God. SERIOUSLY, crank up your prayer life and Bible reading and watch what God does in your life and ministry. It's easy to allow the ministry to replace quality time with God. The best decisions I make in ministry are birthed out of quality time with God.

2. Fasting. If you need a breakthrough in your life or ministry, go on an extended fast. Fasting does wonders.

3. Give like crazy. Some ministers and leaders are stingy. I know you're not one of them :). Give offerings over and above your tithe, give your time away and invest in ministry. Give away your great ideas! God always gives me back more than I give away! If you need a breakthrough, you NEED TO START GIVING!

4. Be open-minded. Some leaders are full of condemnation towards other leaders, ministers, churches and ministries because they are closed-minded. There is nothing worse than being judgmental and critical of everything that is different from you and what you are used too. There is a whole new world of opportunity awaiting you if you would be open to it.

5. Work harder: Some leaders are flat out lazy. They use spiritual mumbo jumbo to justify their laziness. If you want to go to the next level, it will require hard work.

6. Work smarter not harder: Some leaders work harder but not smarter. They don't struggle with laziness, but they are killing themselves by working harder and stopping the ministry from going to the next level. Learn to delegate (a big finger pointed right at me on this one!), build a team, less is more, focus on only what you can do, quit micro managing and don't confuse long hours with accomplishment. Work smarter not harder!

7. Take a risk: THIS IS HUGE! If you want to go to the next level, it will require risk. You have to quit playing it safe. After all, the Bible says we should live by faith. When is the last time you took a MAJOR faith leap to get your ministry to the next level?