Here it is, I’m getting slapped by this one:

Successful change takes time to grow

I am currently part of a transitioning church. I knew the situation. I thought I understood it. As a young leader and like most young leaders, we think we are saving the world. We want to change everything, immediately. God is teaching me the above thought. I thought I understood this, until I realized that time could be like 10 years. I thought time was like a year or two tops and transition and change would be finished. It can be 1 or 2 years, but most likely in an established organization, successful change takes longer. It may be 4 or 5 years to even see any results.

I think the biggest struggle as young leaders is that we don’t want to waste time. We don’t want to wait until we are in our 30′s to do what’s in our hearts. However, if it is really a God-dream, then it’s worth fighting for.

Heck, we even have to be prepared to spend our whole lives fighting for it and maybe never see it. What if we spend our whole lives fighting for a God-dream, but our fighting was to pave the way for the next generation? Are you ready to commit to that?

I have alot of people ask me how I have dealt with this reality. I had offers to work at places that were alot further along in the direction I think (or thought) I’m headed. Yet, here I am, committed to stick this thing out. People ask what is my motivation.

All I can say is that you better have a word from God.

You have to have something bigger than yourself to keep you driven and motivated when your emotions and soul freak out. When frustration and discouragement could set in, you have to have something to stand on. There are very few things that I know for sure God wants me to do, but committing my life to this transition is one. Ask Him. He’ll show ya, but you better know, or you will have alot of difficulty making it through the time it takes for successful change.