One of my goals for 2026 in the Church I lead is to build systems that help accomplish God’s desire for our people. That means having a clear plan to develop people into mature believers.

For example, our welcome system (often called assimilation) asks: What happens when a first-time guest walks through our doors? There should be a clear path from a warm welcome to gathering information to meaningful connections to a Starting Point class to service, and finally to becoming a contributing member.

We also need systems for volunteers, worship planning, small groups, stewardship, and leadership. For our Church to move forward, we must be intentional about helping people move from unbelief to becoming committed followers of Jesus.

Just as the human body depends on systems, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular, the Church needs systems that lead people toward full maturity in Christ.

Every Church is perfectly designed to produce what it currently produces. If we want a better outcome, we need better systems. And if we want fully devoted followers of Jesus, we must build systems that support that goal.