One of the big myths you often hear is that “experience is the best teacher.” Now there is no doubt that experience is a path to learning, but in the moment rarely do you learn the lessons. The truth is, EVALUATED experience is the best teacher.

Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom said, “Memories are the key not to the past, but to the future.” This idea of reflecting back and going through your memories, going through your experience one more time, isn’t really about living in the past, but about ensuring a better future. When you evaluate, when you reflect back and gather those lessons up, it not only helps you with today, but makes you stronger for tomorrow.

Here’s my equation: Experience + Evaluation + Knowledge = Personal Growth

If you take time to learn, adjust and adapt, you can take negative experiences in the past and turn those into positive experiences in the future.

Tune in next week for part 2 of this 4 part series.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.