I don't have a clue how to fix doors. Or anything in my house for that matter. This week, we had a leak in our basement, and I sprung to action by frantically texting anyone I thought might be able to help. When help came, I watched the action unfold as a length of pipe was replaced. I tried my best to appear I had the slightest idea of what my friend was doing as he graciously fixed the problem, when in reality I didn't. But I do know this about the grocery store's broken automatic door: whatever they have tried to do to solve the problem hasn't worked.
Something tells me the store management (or the door repairman they've hired for the job) doesn't really know what's causing the problem.
I'd say that the same is true of issues in our churches and ministries that can be qualified as "broken doors." We don't have a clue what the problem really is. We tweak, we modify, we move the night the program is on, we recruit a new leader, occasionally we'll pray, but nothing seems to help solve the problem. Sure, we may see some improvement for a short time, but eventually, it's clear the door is STILL broken.
Allow me to suggest a simple question we can ask in such situations: What problem needs to be fixed?
It seems like an obvious question that should have an obvious answer, but that's not always the case. The first answer that comes to mind is probably "what needs to be fixed is whatever seems broken." However, that's not thinking deep enough. Let's say you are frustrated by ineffective monthly volunteer meetings. You might say that the meetings need to be fixed, that they need to change. But that's not your problem. Your problem is that what you hope to happen in those meetings isn't happening. What do you want to accomplish in the meetings? Training? Vision casting? Instilling passion for teenagers in the hearts of your leaders? Then why are you droning on and on about next month's lock-in or about what up front games you think should be a part of your large group gatherings? The key here is finding out the goals you are trying to accomplish. Once you know what those are, it will likely become clear about how to fix the broken door, or whether it just needs to be scrapped in favor of a better solution.
Or perhaps your problem is that your large group gathering or youth group isn't helping your high school students experience Jesus in a way that results in noticeable transformation in their lives. Our gut reaction is to ask, "What's the problem with youth group?" But that's not the problem! The problem is that your high school students aren't experiencing Jesus in a way that results in noticeable transformation in their lives.
Is the distinction clear?
The problem isn't the particular program or tool you're using; the problem is that the goals you have aren't being accomplished.
When we finally make that distinction, it's a lot easier for the solution to come into view, and it gives us permission to entertain any solution (within the bounds of Scripture) that will help us accomplish that purpose. Maybe it's just that the current model isn't working for your context or your stated purpose, and you need to scrap that particular weekly gathering altogether. Or maybe focusing on the purpose of that weekly gathering and what you are trying to accomplish will help you finally repair that broken door.
So, what are your broken doors that you're ready to fix? Do you know what the problem really is? Oh, and if you figure out a solution quickly and you've got some extra time, I've got a good chunk of damaged drywall to replace in my basement where the leak was, and I don't have a clue where to start.
