Priorities

I recently received my alumni magazine from Emory University. James Wagner, President of Emory University shares the need for change at Emory. The change is a result of the economic struggle that is being faced across the country. I find it interesting that change is not usually taken serious in institutions, organizations, or churches until we become financially strapped. It is during those times that if not careful we will make foolish and irreversible changes that impact the organization negatively. We are sometimes quick to move to the "how" question before we spend some time asking "what." The "how" is always governed by the "what." What has God called us to do? What is our purpose? The answer to those questions will govern how we go about accomplishing the task before us. But if we are not careful we can start making changes before we fully understand why we are making the changes. Dr. Wagner suggest some important questions every institution, organization, or church must ask as change occurs.
1. Where are we headed?
2. What is essential?
3. What do we do best today?
4. At what are we least successful, to what are we less well suited?
5. What must be strengthened?
6. What must be eliminated?
7. What opportunities for leadership do we see?
8. Is the institution, organization, church organized appropriately for what we imagine the future to be?
9. Does potential changes compromise the institution, organization, or church in its excellence (I would add also values)?