We continue on learning how to Diagnosis the Situation. While this seems like it would be pretty easy, to diagnose what needs to happen—to create forward movement, in the situations that come up in life, in families, in organizations, in churches—often requires more than a quick fix. This is a time to get curious about what is unfolding.
Who needs to do the work? The most common answer, perhaps especially in churches, is “Someone else needs to do the work.” You might hear a “Not me!” The better answer is we all do, at some level. I am not suggesting that every single person needs to be involved in everything that happens. I am suggesting that when there is major work to be done that affects the whole organization or, in our case, the church, it is important to be clear to Identify Who Needs to Do the Work.
Not everything that comes up in an organization, a church, a family, needs to have all people engaged at every level. Yet it is important that all persons are staying connected, so that the work that needs to be done actually does get done, and by the people who need to be doing the work. It can be easier to assign the work to a couple of people. But what if those people are not the ones who could bring the most insight? Or the skill set needed? Or they are the people who always get invited to do the work?
It is important in diagnosing the situation to look at the work that needs to be done. To look at the process by which it will be completed. To ask good questions: who would bring good skills to this work? Who is good at keeping others informed and engaged? These are the questions that will help us Identify Who Needs to Do the Work.
-- Amy Nissley Stauffer