Today, I want to talk to you about cul-de-sacs and on-ramps in your training and development. So, when someone begins a new ministry role, we often provide them training to get them up and started. Pretty much everyone does this if they are a seasoned leader. However, in most churches, this is where we stop. Because we provide that initial training, and then we host a training every year where we invite everyone, but it’s just the same information time and time again. When that seasoned leader shows up, they hear the same information on repeat – again, and again, and again. Nothing is new, nothing is different, and they are stuck in a training cul-de-sac. This means we are not taking advantage of the skills they’ve learned and helping move them along.
Instead, what we want to do is provide an on-ramp. An on-ramp of initial training gets someone going and up to speed, but it doesn’t leave them there. It helps them get fully involved and makes sure the ministry that they are serving in as they grow and as they build momentum, they keep that momentum going. You are providing them additional training based on that person’s skill set, based on their level of competency, and based on that role. This ongoing training not only helps develop that individual person, but it also helps the group or team learn and grow together as they move forward in ministry.
Now that you understand the difference between a ministry cul-de-sac and a ministry on-ramp, what are you going to do about it?
