For the last year or two, we’ve made a shift in our ministry to constantly thinking about what is next. We’ve really adopted the small group values found in Lead Small and one of the values is to “Move them out” which can be expressed in the idea of moving our few to what is next. We’re constantly looking at how we’re keeping an eye on what is next for our kids and students. What is next for them programmatically, what is next for them relationally and what is next for them spiritually. This intentional thinking has brought us many wins this year.

However, this idea was presented to me a few months ago in a way I wasn’t expecting. In a staff life group, it was my week to tell my story. After 15-20 minutes of telling the highs and lows of life’s experiences, it was time for me to answer questions about my story. The first one out of the bag was, “where do you see yourself in 10 years.”

Hmmm… good question. 

I rambled on of a minute or two, but the question has stuck with me these last few months.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the work of the now. Ministry will always be busy and consuming. It’s easy to get frustrated in the now and dream of greener pastures. What takes intentionality is looking toward what might be next and preparing yourself.

I honestly don’t know what is next for me. I LOVE what I’m doing right now. I’ve never been a part of a church like I’m at right now and I LOVE my role. However, I can’t imagine that things will be exactly as they are ten years from now. I’ve been thinking about this a lot the past few months and it’s helped me set some goals for 2015. There are several areas where I need to grow and develop. I don’t see a specific destination, but I know that there are some skills that need to be sharpened and developed to help me get to wherever “it” is. There are some projects I’ve been talking about doing for years. 2015 is the year it has to happen because being ready for what is next can’t wait any longer.

Where do you see yourself in five years? How about ten? A better question than those two might be, – what are you doing right now to prepare you for what’s next? What skills are you missing that need to be developed? How are you going after these things?

Enjoy your now, but never stop preparing for what’s next.