That’s Just Gross.

Every family, team, and organization goes through it.  Seasons where momentum is diminished, relation- ships show fatigue, focus is lost.

Recently we’ve needed to invest considerable energy into restoring health and rebuilding systems on a few teams at the Elkhart Campus.  There was a significant need to recalibrate and identify spots where the big picture had gone out of focus.

Through multiple conversations with leaders and key team players, reoccurring themes began to surface, revealing areas that had contributed to team fatigue and reduced momentum.  That led to low morale on the teams, which quickly translated into lower impact.  And the stakes are way, way too high on what we do to function that way!

What causes these seasons?  Why the lost energy, the slip in vision?

Sometimes the reasons are just “gross”.

Through this process, our inclination to fall prey to a number of “Gross Tendencies” began to emerge.  Four in particular seemed to contribute to the struggles we were experiencing on our teams.  I’ll share two of them today, the other two in a post next week.

Gross Tendency #1:  We grossly underestimate the time and complexity involved in success.

We live in a speed based world where you can be virtually anywhere on the planet in 24 hours.  Microwave this, drive thru that.  Instant message, cell phone, 3G…fast, fast, fast.  And we STILL want it faster.

Ever wonder how long it takes a plane to get off the ground?  Well if you’re talking a 747, it’s roughly 9500 feet – close to two miles!  It takes time to get something big off the ground. And consider this – in reality there are several variables that affect the exact distance it takes: weight distribution, air pressure, temperature, elevation of the runway, and more.  As a result, the pilot must be aware of the complexities and be ready to adjust to them for a successful takeoff.

The speed culture we live in skews our reality and creates an expectation that all things will happen in an instant. As a result, unrealistic expectations are shaped. The value of long-term planning and process is diminished. And it’s through process that clarity comes.  Clarity leads to the ability to define the win, which translates into…yep, success.

Launching successfully and maintaining success takes great time and process, usually more than we anticipate.

Gross Tendency #2:  We grossly underestimate the impact that consistent investments make.

It’s not just true in financial planning.

At our church our weekend services are 70 minutes.  There are 10,080 minutes in a week.  It’s easy to assume that all the good we can accomplish in those 70 minutes won’t stand a chance in the other 10,000 plus each week.  So we get tired in it, we begin to see it as simply routine, don’t see it being worth the effort.

But such an assumption would be dead wrong.  Why?  Well, spiritually speaking, what a church sets out to do doesn’t revolve around just natural things.  This is a supernatural work, where God takes what seems small and does much. (ever heard the story of Jesus taking five loaves and two fish and feeds thousands? Yowza.)

In addition, huge impact can come through relational investment over a period of time.

• 60 minutes each week with a counselor?  Relationships can be saved or restored.
• 45 minutes each week with a piano instructor?  The next great pianist can be groomed.
• 70 minutes each week with a well prepared, inspiring teacher who loves Jesus? Eternity can be changed.

Don’t grow weary.  Don’t lose sight of the power of small investments.  Behind the seemingly routine tasks, don’t miss the people and their life stories. Don’t underestimate the difference you make through relational capital, through joyfully investing into the lives of others every week.  Over time the impact can be huge.