title: Seven Practices of Effective Ministry
author:  Andy Stanley 
description: <b>Andy Stanley</b><br /> Communicator, author, and pastor, ANDY STANLEY founded Atlanta-based North Point Ministries in 1995. Today, NPM is comprised of six churches in the Atlanta area and a network 30churches around the globe collectively serving nearly 70,000 people weekly. <br /> <br /> As host of <i>Your Move with Andy Stanley</i>, with over five million messages consumed each month through television and podcasts, and author of more than 20 books, including <i>The New Rules for Love, Sex &amp; Dating</i>, <i>Ask It, How to Be Rich, Deep &amp; Wide, Visioneering</i>, and <i>Next Generation Leader,</i> he is considered one of the most-influential pastors in America. <br /> <br /> Andy and his wife, Sandra, have three grown children and live near Atlanta.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## 7 Practices of Effective Ministry
  
  CONTENTS  
  
  
  ![image](images/00002.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Cover Page]($00003)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Title Page
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dedication
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Preface
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  [Part I  
  Getting in the Game: Ray’s Story](index_split_003.html#filepos14145)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  1\. The Best-Laid Plans
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2\. Throwing Strikes
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  3\. Keeping Score
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  4\. Getting on Base
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  5\. Staying Focused
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  6\. Teaching the Fundamentals
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  7\. The Roar of the Crowd
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  8\. Developing New Talent
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  9\. Managing Your Way to Victory
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  [Part II  
  Putting the 7 Practices to Work](index_split_012.html#filepos111977)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  Introduction: A Dilemma
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  10\. PRACTICE #1: Clarify the Win  
  
  
  Define what is important at every level of the organization
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  11\. PRACTICE #2: Think Steps, Not Programs  
  
  
  Before you start anything, make sure it takes you where you need to go
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  12\. PRACTICE #3: Narrow the Focus  
  
  
  Do fewer things in order to