Lead to Win

The Power of a Clear Play

Written by Jeff Little | May 21, 2024 4:02:49 PM

Leadership requires vision, but to accomplish that vision there has to be a proven strategy in place. A great strategy can turn into a “play” that you run over and over because it produces the results you’re looking for. For Milestone Church, here are a few defining thoughts our team has leaned into when we evaluate our current strategies. 

 

1.  Clear plays are the ones that work.

If you’re coaching sports, you know there are some plays that work better than others. It’s no different for pastors and church leaders. Sometimes it takes a season of trial and error to determine which ones work the best in your context, but there should always be non-negotiable values that support the plays (strategies). For example, a non-negotiable value is discipleship. We’re all called to help people grow. Find the play that works to accomplish that goal for the season you’re in as a church. 
 
 

2. Clear plays help determine “this… not that.” 

A lot of what we do as leaders is defining the win. When the target is hit, we celebrate it. When we determine the play we want to run, we’re also determining what we don’t want to do. Defining the win is huge because we have a tendency to drift. So as a leader, what you say “no” to is just as important as what you say “yes” to.

3. Clear plays should create common language throughout your staff and church. 

Great strategies aren't meant to be a secret - it’s something you communicate from the platform, in small groups, at your membership class, in the lobby, and in every ministry. This is how a church moves from a mob to a group of people who are on mission. 

 

Take the time to build clear plays that build people and build the church, then run those plays over and over. You will look up one day and find that there is an army of people building around you.

 

Top plays to implement today: