Embracing Change: Preparing for Growth in 2025

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Change for Growth

As we prepare for the new year, embracing change is essential for personal and communal growth. Implementing systems like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can bring clarity and accountability, helping us achieve our goals and foster a culture of development. Change is often uncomfortable, but it is necessary for progress. By welcoming new methods and ideas, we can create an environment that encourages growth and innovation. This approach not only benefits our personal lives but also strengthens our community as we work together towards common goals. [02:50]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you resist change? How can you invite God to help you embrace transformation in this area today?

Day 2: Cultivating Future Leaders

Training and developing future leaders is crucial for the health and growth of our church. By investing in pastoral apprenticeships and setting clear goals, we can create a supportive environment for potential leaders to thrive. This involves not only providing training and resources but also fostering a culture of mentorship and encouragement. As we identify and nurture the gifts of those around us, we contribute to a legacy of leadership that will sustain our community for years to come. [04:33]

2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can mentor or encourage in their leadership journey? What steps can you take this week to support their growth?

Day 3: Deepening Personal Devotion

Our effectiveness as leaders is rooted in our personal relationship with Jesus. Spending time in His presence and allowing His word to guide us is essential for personal growth and effective leadership. This personal devotion is not just a private matter but has a profound impact on how we lead and serve others. By prioritizing our spiritual health, we become better equipped to handle the challenges of leadership and to inspire those around us. [07:59]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally create space in your daily routine to deepen your relationship with Jesus? What specific practice can you start today to nurture this devotion?

Day 4: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

To achieve extraordinary results, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and develop our skills. By raising up leaders around us and striving for excellence, we can break through barriers and reach new heights. This requires courage and a willingness to take risks, trusting that God will guide us through the unknown. As we push beyond what is familiar, we open ourselves to new opportunities and experiences that can lead to significant growth and impact. [12:58]

Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Reflection: What is one specific area where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you take a tangible step in that direction this week?

Day 5: Taking Responsibility for Personal Growth

At the end of the day, we are responsible for our growth in every area of life. Whether it's ministry, marriage, or personal development, we must be intentional about setting goals and taking steps to achieve them. This involves self-reflection, planning, and a commitment to continuous improvement. By taking ownership of our growth, we can make meaningful progress and inspire others to do the same. [01:14:49]

Proverbs 4:26-27 (ESV): "Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil."

Reflection: What is one specific goal you want to achieve in the coming year? What practical steps can you take today to start working towards this goal?

Sermon Summary

As we stand on the brink of a new year, it's a time of reflection and preparation. December is a month filled with celebrations, but also a time to look forward to the opportunities and challenges that 2025 will bring. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, a moment that transformed humanity, we are reminded of the importance of setting goals and preparing for the future. Our church is embarking on significant initiatives, including training 30 potential pastors and expanding our Sunday capacity. These goals require us to adapt and make necessary changes to ensure the health and growth of our leadership and congregation.

We are implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to bring clarity and accountability to our processes. This system will help us set clear goals and hold each other accountable, fostering a culture of growth and development. Additionally, we are revising our internal staff values to better reflect who we are and what we stand for as a team. This is part of our effort to create a strong foundation for the new year.

Our focus is also on developing pastoral apprenticeships and launching new faith goals. We are gathering feedback from our team to shape these initiatives and ensure they align with our mission. The goal is to create a supportive environment where potential leaders can grow and develop their skills.

As we move forward, we are reminded of the importance of personal devotion and love for Jesus. Our growth as leaders is rooted in our relationship with Him. We must be intentional about spending time in His presence and allowing His word to guide us. This personal growth will enable us to lead others effectively and fulfill our mission of reaching more people for Christ.

In this new year, we are committed to pushing ourselves and our team to new heights. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones, develop our skills, and raise up leaders around us. By doing so, we can break through barriers and achieve the extraordinary. Let us abandon average and strive for excellence in all that we do, trusting that God will do more than we can ask or imagine.

Key Takeaways

1. Embrace Change and Growth: As we prepare for the new year, it's essential to embrace change and growth. Implementing systems like EOS can bring clarity and accountability, helping us achieve our goals and foster a culture of development. [02:50]
2. Develop Future Leaders: Training and developing future leaders is crucial for the health and growth of our church. By investing in pastoral apprenticeships and setting clear goals, we can create a supportive environment for potential leaders to thrive. [04:33]
3. Personal Devotion is Key: Our effectiveness as leaders is rooted in our personal relationship with Jesus. Spending time in His presence and allowing His word to guide us is essential for personal growth and effective leadership. [07:59]
4. Push Beyond Comfort Zones: To achieve extraordinary results, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zones and develop our skills. By raising up leaders around us and striving for excellence, we can break through barriers and reach new heights. [12:58]
5. Take Responsibility for Growth: At the end of the day, we are responsible for our growth in every area of life. Whether it's ministry, marriage, or personal development, we must be intentional about setting goals and taking steps to achieve them. [01:14:49]
** [74:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:50] - Embracing Change with EOS
[04:33] - Developing Future Leaders
[07:59] - Importance of Personal Devotion
[12:58] - Pushing Beyond Comfort Zones
[16:54] - Setting Benchmarks for Growth
[60:02] - Understanding Church Health Metrics
[64:47] - Engaging and Connecting the Congregation
[69:10] - Breaking Through Growth Barriers
[71:05] - Focusing on Impact and Evangelism
[74:49] - Taking Responsibility for Personal Growth

Sermon Clips

Once the coaches learn about EOS, which is a way of clarifying things and simplifying process, it's just a way of leading together, we're going to start rolling that out across New Life. It's a way of having goals and clarity and holding each other. [00:02:12] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Then when we bring that together, we'll once again, chop it to the team and say, hey, what are you guys feeling? What would be most helpful for you? What would be best? What do you feel like would help support you and help you accomplish the goal? [00:05:52] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Abandon average. That's, that's the, 125 and as you're shaping let me let me give you these things as when john was saying i thought oh this this has been helpful for me personally um to shape to to make decisions you're coming to the end of the year write this down there's you need to you need to figure out which zone you're in you feel stuck not everyone in this room feels stuck but if you feel stuck you need to figure out which zone you're in this is from michael hyatt come up with this so he says which zone are you in and specifically with your your role your job and your calling your role your job and calling right this isn't your parenting your marriage isn't that here's the first zone it's all the opposite so first zone you don't want to be here drug zone that's low proficiency low passion drudge drudge zone not drugsit may be the drug zone too i don't know drug zone low proficiency low proficiency low passion. [01:13:05] (78 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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