The vision and practice of re-starts has been an exciting ‘God thing’ at New Life for almost 10 years. The first time we had a re-start was when Galilee Baptist Church became the Lakeview location of New Life Community Church in the year 2000. We have now been blessed to see a total of 5 re-starts that are all going strong. We have 11 locations so nearly half of them are the result of a re-start.

      Churches aren’t the only organizations to go through this process and we can learn something from other areas. Businesses, schools, even sports teams go through this cycle. The difference maker is leadership. Take Bill Parcells, a pro football coach and executive, as an example. He has an amazing track record of turning teams around.

      The New York Giants were a consistent loser when Parcells became Head coach in 1983. In his second season they had a winning record and wound up winning the Super Bowl in his 4th and 8th seasons as Head Coach.

      Since that time he has worked for 4 different teams who have all experienced dramatic change. The Patriots were 2-14 in 1992, Parcells become the Head Coach in 1993 and they were a winning team in his 2nd year and in the Super Bowl in his 4th year.

      The Jets went 1-15 in 1996 but Parcells became coach and they posted records of 9-7 and 12-4 in the next two seasons.

      The Cowboys had 3 straight 5-11 seasons but in Parcells first season in 2003 they went 10-6 and wound up with winning records in 3 of his 4 seasons.

       Last year the Dolphins were the biggest losers in pro football with a 1-15 record. Parcells became the Executive Vice President, made a lot of changes, picked a new coach, and in his first year of leadership the team is 9-6 with a chance at the playoffs. Somebody call the Detroit Lions!

      Unfortunately, winning football games has temporary, very limited value and no one will care about this ‘success’ in 100 years. But we may be able to learn something about the importance of leadership. Anyone can make excuses but some people, with the same opportunities and challenges, are more effective.

      A few key questions come to mind:

      What is success? [It’s obvious in sports. Success = more wins and ultimately a championship. It’s obvious in business. A victory = greater profit and long term financial health. It’s not so obvious in the church.]

      How do we evaluate our results? [What do we believe God has called us to do? Are we seeing those things happen? Is there fruit in our lives and in this church?]

      How can we do better?  

      The Church Growth Movement was a great work of God started in the 1950s by Donald McGavran, a former missionary to India. One of the key questions he asked was, “Why do some churches grow more than others?” That question led to research, which led to a discovery of ‘wisdom principles’, which has helped many churches reach more people with the gospel. As we reflect on 2008 and prepare for the New Year I’m asking these questions both to myself and to the church overall:

      What is success? How do we evaluate our results? How can we do better?

      May the Lord give us wisdom as we seek to be the people and the church He has called us to be. “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph 4:16