When Bridges Get in the Way

Bridges are a vital part of the interstate highway system. In addition to spanning rivers, bridges allow for interchanges where the highway traffic never has to stop (except at rush hour in Houston). And it turns out that bridges are also a huge problem when the time comes to expand a highway. If additional lanes are needed, a big part of the construction cost and challenge relates to widening the bridge (or widening the highway under the bridge). You probably have “bridges” in your organization. They are the systems and talents that have resulted in success up to this point. These same systems and talents threaten to keep you from growing and succeeding in the future. For example, consider these “bridges”: – A gifted worship leader creates a powerful worship experience that attracts many people to the church. But the worship has become dated and the leader has been reluctant to make adjustments. – A ministry has been on solid financial footing since its inception, thanks largely to the generosity of a few key donors. As a result, it has never developed a broader base of contributors and is struggling to raise the funds needed to go to the next level. – A “mentoring model” for leadership development has produced high-capacity leaders. But the reliance on a few dedicated mentors limits the growth of the leadership pool. One other possible “bridge” is you. Your talent and charisma and energy may have been vital to the organization’s success up to this point. You may have moved them from a 2-lane country road to a 4-lane freeway. But there is a limit to how much farther you, or any of the other bridges, can take them. Are there bridges that you need to examine? Now may be the time to have some hard conversations so that your church or ministry or non-profit can continue to expand. It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>