Do the last 5%!

I had a self-discovery moment the other night, and my intention is to develop a new behavior pattern to overcome a weakness. In preparation for our move, I'm finishing up a number of small projects so the house is ready to rent. I was caulking & nail-filling some trim that I had put in our master bedroom about 3 years ago. It was painted prior to installation, but instead of doing the final touches to make it look finished, I moved on to other projects.  Nothing like a move-out deadline to get motivated to finish!

As I was working, I was reflecting on previous homes and moving out of them. In our second home in Washington (we owned 4 different homes over 13 years...), I didn't finish the trim in the master bathroom until we moved out. Hmmm... see a pattern here?  I like doing improvement projects, and get a lot done, but for some projects, I think I get to about the 95% done point, and then move on to the next project.  The problem is, over the six years of living in this house, I have about 8 projects with 5% to finish. And now I'm scrambling to finish them up by Christmas.

What about other areas? What about ministry projects? I think that sometimes I do the same thing... get to the 95% point and move on to a new project. I get a lot done and organize a lot of ministry activities, but if I'm leaving 5% undone, then the quality of the projects aren't to the level of excellence that they need to be.  In sermon preparation, doing the last 5% is finishing the sermon writing early enough to practice it a few times. In event planning, doing the last 5% is delegating the cleanup early enough in the process that I don't end up doing 75% of the cleanup on event day.

Why do I do this? Maybe because I'm trying to get too many things done. Maybe because the challenge of a new project overcomes my desire to complete my current project.  Whatever the reason, when I follow the 95% pattern, it diminishes the excellence of whatever I'm working on, robs others of the opportunity of participating in kingdom service, and frustrates me that I'm doing too much at the last minute when others participating would have shared the load.

So here's my resolution:I will do the last 5%! In ministry projects, I will plan far enough in advance to delegate each area required to complete them with excellence. In home projects (although I'm planning on being a renter for a while), I'll see each project through to completion and not let them sit unfinished.

And you're invited ask me, "Are you doing the last 5%?"  Thanks! Pray for me too, that I will accomplish the work that God has called me to do, in the power of his Holy Spirit, with excellence, for the glory of God.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."  Col 3:23-24

Moving on...

The news is out today... and for the Stewart family it's a mixture of excitement and sadness. On Tuesday I accepted a new job position as the Pastor of Small Groups at The Rock Church in San Diego (http://www.therocksandiego.org/). We're here in Chico through Christmas, and plan to move around the 28th of December.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NIV)

Although this was written to Jewish people in captivity 2500 years ago, the truths behind it can be applied to us as well:

• God is in control. 
• God has good plans for us. 
• And God wants us to call upon him and seek him with our whole hearts.

I know that God has been at work in the Grace Community Church family! There is a spirit of unity, a commitment to prayer, and an engagement in spiritual growth. The church is healthy, and much positive ministry is taking place. God has a great future planned for Grace; a future that includes spiritual harvest as people find new life in Christ, and a future that includes greater spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

Brenda and I love the ministry and church family that we’ve been a part of for these past six years. This opportunity isn’t something that I went looking for, yet it was presented to me to consider and seek God’s direction in. As Brenda and I prayed and discussed this opportunity over the past couple of months, we have felt the Lord directing us on to this new venture in our lives.

This new ministry will be a greater challenge, as I will be re-designing and implementing the small group ministry for a large church. Part of the vision of The Rock is to plant 15 churches in San Diego County, and I’ll be on the Central Team that helps implement that strategy. Specifically, I will help each of the church plants implement the same strategy of small group ministry that we develop for the main church.

For those of you that are a part of the Grace family, Brenda and I thank you for the privilege of being among your spiritual leaders. We have many wonderful memories, and have enjoyed serving alongside you. We know that God is among you and will continue the good work that he is doing in you. The elders and pastoral staff at Grace are godly people who love God and are humbly seeking his leading for the church. Please keep them in prayer as they direct the church through this next season of ministry. Undoubtedly there will be new staff at Grace in the near future, and I encourage you to love and support them just like you have for Brenda and me.

Know that we are praying for you and the future of Grace. Please keep us in prayer too!

Love and blessings to you! 
Dave & Brenda