Usually, the person sharing their idea is very passionate about this particular idea. And in my experience, the idea-giver (a fellow pastor I work with calls such a person, "The Good Idea Fairy") is generally sharing the idea from a good heart, because they really want to be helpful, and they think their idea will help the church or ministry in a big way.
The problem with this idea is not that it's a bad idea. It may have worked really, really well in another context, which is why someone wants to pass the idea along to you. The issue is that a lot of times these ideas come out of left field and don't match up at all with the church or ministry's vision, culture, or philosophy of ministry.
The hard part about getting these ideas is that because you're such a kind-hearted leader, you don't want to crush someone's spirit by rejecting their idea. But usually, you know right off the bat that the idea just isn't a good fit. You feel stuck between a rock in a hard place, and perhaps you see only three options:
- Say, "no" and crush this person's spirit and creativity, thereby driving them into a deep depression and perhaps causing them walking away from Jesus altogether.
- Say, "yes" and let the idea become a reality, even though you know it's just not a good fit.
- Say, "I'll think about it" and subject yourself to weekly/daily phone calls and emails from this person asking if you've thought about the idea, until eventually you are forced to choose option 1 or 2.
Here's a better option: take five minutes and explain your church or ministry's vision, direction, and strategy to that person. (Hint: if it takes you more than five minutes to explain, your organization doesn't have a well-defined vision, direction, or strategy.) If you can't do it right then, set up an appointment for a later time. Let them know that you appreciate input, and that you're open to ideas that will help the church or ministry do what you believe God has called you to do. Usually, one or two things will happen: 1) this person will be on board with that vision and will become a great advocate and creative team member, or 2) this person will be convinced that despite what you've just explained, their ideas are the key to your church's effectiveness and well-being. If #1 happens, great. If it ends up being #2, you've at least laid out the guidelines for how you and your fellow leaders make decisions on new ideas and initiatives, and you can respond lovingly to similar ideas in the future with, "That's a good idea, but it's just not a good fit for us."
You might be surprised at how many ideas you get in the future that actually are a good fit. In addition, you'll be respected a lot more as a leader when you explain your process and grid for evaluating ideas than if you just try to pacify or avoid people when they approach you with their ideas.
By the way, Mark Driscoll has a great 7-minute leadership video if you want more on this topic: "Your Thing, My Thing, & Our Thing" (free registration required here).
QUESTION: How have you dealt with the "good idea fairy" in your church or ministry?
