We live in a day and age when levels of commitment are no longer simply driven by past achievements, present activities or future aspirations. And yet, ironically, these all play an important part in paving the way for effective growth. Organisations everywhere are investing in strategic plans in the hope of increasing membership levels that will benefit their futures, regardless of whether they are corporate companies or church communities.
In addressing the Rotary topic, "How to increase and retain new members", Murray Collier (CEO of Performance Works Pty Ltd) made the following key points that contribute to effective growth.
1. Connection ~ establishing relevant relationships.
2. Communication ~ knowing your purpose and selling it well.
3. Significance ~ being confident of what you have to offer and its ability to impact others.
4. Engagement ~ ability to engage emotionally with potential members and touch their 'heart core'.
The idea of engaging emotionally with others was a real eye-opener. In reflecting on TSA, I am confident that, because of our corporate identity and public image, we seem to connect, communicate and express our significance well. However, I don't believe that we always engage well emotionally with others when it comes to our spiritual mission.
Nowadays, people's levels of commitment are directly linked to their emotional feelings ~ if they are touched at the core they will be more likely to commit to the cause. Perhaps then, we need to be more intentional in trying to engage emotionally with people ~ and that means being a lot more personal relationally.
Emotional engagement for the cause of Christ ~ Let it be!
John 4:23 (MSG) ~ "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
