Where are we leading people? What are our goals? It’s really easy to have a vague objective: “let’s love God and love others.” Well, that’s a true and great start, but it can be tricky to know how we’re doing and clearly influence (or lead) people toward that goal because it hasn’t been broken down.
I once heard Andy Stanley teach on clarifying “the win,” and I think I’ll remember that idea for the rest of my life. Clarifying the win means breaking down your objective, having some specific goals and knowing what they look like. And it also means regularly communicating the win to everyone. But that’s not the topic of this post…so enough said!
Let’s say I sit down and begin fleshing out the win for my group, what next? Should I read this definition of the win at the beginning of every large group gathering? I have a better suggestion: celebrate. Yes, I’ve been working on celebration, and I’ve seen some fruit. I’m still working on it, but I like it.
By celebrating wins (or clear steps toward a win), we remind ourselves and everyone else where we’re going. Further, celebration encourages and affirms individuals and/or the group as a whole. And it inspires thanksgiving, which is the language of praise! Can it get any better!?
Apart from Jesus, I’m pretty apathetic; celebration isn’t in my wheelhouse, but by the grace of God, I’ve grown, and more and more I’m stepping back, seeing wins, and celebrating. In one-on-one conversations, in small groups, and even during the service on Sunday mornings. Celebrate baptisms, celebrate conversions, celebrate local church membership, celebrate the Gospel being preached, celebrate volunteers, celebrate generosity, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!
As the year wraps up, I know my own tendency is to see all the areas where we can improve, and to then just look toward future potential, but I want to encourage you to take a few minutes and reflect: what can you celebrate? Have there been any wins? Have there been any clear steps toward a win? Did you say something? Did you celebrate? Maybe there’s an opportunity there.
And when I say celebrate, I don’t mean it necessarily has to be a huge cheer, but sometimes maybe! Celebrating a win could be as simple as publicly thanking God for something specific that’s happened, something that was a win for the group or someone in the group.
I’ve found this to encourage and inspire, and it’s helped as I lead by clarifying the win for everyone.