Training... brings back some positive and negative thoughts. School was a training ground in which you were graded OFTEN! Every test, every quarter, every semester, and every year you were measured to see if you passed. If you made the grade then you got to "move up" into the next grade which was to be even more difficult. Your self image was on the line because if you failed, you left your classmates for a younger group. You had to REPEAT a grade. If you passed, you continued the race to get to the head of the class, #1 if you really cared about such positions. I was just glad to pass because it meant I was one step closer to getting out!
Training for improvement in a job or skill can be so rewarding. Such training is designed to help to not repeat mistakes but find a better path towards success. Motivation is such a key in this type training. To be "inspired" is more positive than being "graded." Inspiration moves us forward with dreams and ideas of how we can be and do better.
Training IS very important. We NEVER know enough! We may have the present somewhat figured out and feel good about our present position. However, we know there is always room for improvement. The question is, "Do we know enough for tomorrow?" What about the next stage, challenge, curve-ball coming our way. I am sure that at the beginning of 2020, many had dreams, plans and goals. Then a MAJOR curve-ball was thrown. A few hit it out of the park, some got a single, double, or even a triple. Others may have fouled the ball. Most probably struck out! The difference? A process that could endure and make necessary changes quickly.
It has been said that a goal is planning on one-time success, a process is repeated success.
An adaptable process is planning on success in changing times. Changing times and adaptable processes can generate new successes never dreamed of previously! How many fast-food restaurants knew the full value of drive-thru service? How many changed how they did drive-thru service in order to be more efficient and thus profitable? Those that used an adaptable process saw success when other restaurants were closing.
What works well now will be challenged tomorrow! Churches experienced the same quandary. While Truth and the Bible never change, processes can and often must. If a church's vision was based only on the size of their facilities, they are hitting fouls, or worse, striking out! Filling a building vs engaging a community is truly a Vision question. Filling a building is a goal where engaging a community requires an adaptable process. This is where training is vital!
Training in new ways to apply truth and engage the community is a planning for repeated success! I pray that you and your team will move forward in training in order to hit a Home Run!
BR Johnson