Leadership: The Value of a Blank Page: Drawing Your Own S.P.E.C.s

The Value of a Blank Page: Drawing Your Own S.P.E.C.s

Frustrated with an existing part of your program? Wanting to start something new but not sure of all the details? Thinking about going back to the drawing board and restructuring from the ground up? Then grab a blank piece of paper, your top leaders and/or students, and get ready for a worthwhile experience. There’s no need to fear all that white space due to a lack of ideas. Everything you need is right there in front of you!

That’s right -- a blank piece of paper holds great value. How? With a blank page there is a fresh start, renewed interest, and little baggage. It represents a chance to redeem ourselves and our ministry, so to speak, from previous mistakes.

So what do you do with that piece of paper? How can you take a simple sheet of paper and turn it into a creative tool for renewal? Here’s a simple formula to aid you in writing the “SPECs” for the area needing built or revitalized.

Start with your mission. Regardless of whether it’s your entire ministry structure or simply a portion of it under scrutiny, everything must have a purpose. Fortunately, when it comes to the big picture, this mission has already been mandated by God. You can choose to reword it or repackage it, but you can’t rewrite it. Put it in a simple sentence, letting it guide you constantly.

Proceed with your values. Now that you know why you’re here and where you’re going, what does the finished product look like? How do you foresee the end? Name specific traits, qualities, or outcomes you feel would indicate success. Paint a portrait of the the conclusion. These are the things you value, the items you see as most important.

Expand your strategy. With your mission and values in place, begin designing the overall method you’ll use in achieving that desired end. You’re developing the big picture here, so ask yourself “big picture” questions like who, where, when, what, and how.

Conclude with your program. It’s here you start fleshing out procedures, putting meat to the bones you’ve been strengthening. Add exact times, people, places, topics, and dates. Clearly plug in the details.

Todd
YLC

Copyright © 1998 - Youth Leader Connection, Inc. - All rights reserved.

Return to TOP
Professional Web Site Design by SunStar Media.