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Just get rid of the crap.  That was Steve Jobs’ advice to Nike CEO Mark Parker when he took over as the leader of one of the world’s most recognizable brands.   In this video from Fast Company, Parker recalls the conversation he had with Apple’s CEO.  Jobs told Parker that Nike made some of the best products in the world.  Stuff people desire.  But they also make a bunch of crap, too.  So Jobs said, “Just get rid of the crappy stuff and focus on the good stuff.”

This blunt advice from Jobs is good for almost any organization, including your church.  We talk a lot about focusing in on what you’re the best at and putting your resources toward it.  What best helps you further your passion as a church?  What is it you do that makes you unique in your community?  That’s your DNA and that’s where your ministry focus should be.  It doesn’t have to be a single program or ministry.  You can have a lot of things that help you express your vision and passion, but it should all be stuff you’re doing well.

Yet in the church setting, if we’re completely honest with ourselves, there’s still a lot of junk around.  There are programs that don’t make sense with our vision.  We let them keep going either because were’ too afraid to have the tough conversations of shutting them down or we’re lacking a vision the start out with.  God has uniquely gifted individual churches with people who have awesome passion and skills.  To be the best stewards of what God has given us, we need to focus on the good stuff.  When we are focused as churches, our passions become clearer to the community around us.  It becomes easier for us to share our story.  In a world where there are plenty of places where people turn for answers, it’s time for the church to become a relevant voice in that mix.  And if we’re a cluttered mess, it’s harder to be that relevant voice.