Great reminder, Ron. For me, the "preventive maintenance" of a monthly prayer and planning day has served me well over the last 10 years. I calendar the last Wednesday of each month as I put my annual plan together. In addition, I turn two of those times into two week-long times for extended prayer and planning: one in the fall about four weeks before our fall elder retreat, and one in the spring about four weeks before our spring elder retreat. Vance Havner said many times, "If you don't come apart, you will come apart." He was right.

I've discovered that one of the best ways to reassure yourself that you made the right call in "terminating" a bad client or employee is how they respond when you do it. Their true "self" rises to the surface all the more. At that point, I know that I've taken the best step for us all by ending the partnership. Also, the people around you appreciate you even more for having rid their lives of "the royal pain."

Michael, I'm the lead pastor of a church plant. We will celebrate our 3rd birthday on Easter. We began out of change, and we've continued to navigate change on our way to an average attendance of 352. I'd love to understand both the rider and the elephant side of the process so I can do an even better job of leading us into our desired future: Go into our community and give every man, woman, and child repeated opportunities to experience the life-changing reality of Jesus. Today, our community has 44,000 people. Depending on whose demographics you study, that number will double or triple (90,000 to 130,000) in the next 15 years...lots of change all around. We have plans to plant other churches throughout our community, believing that it will take a variety of churches to see our Vision become a reality. Lots of vision casting and navigating change is still in store. So, how 'bout it? I will read the book. Thanks for the opportunity to receive one.