Several years ago, I was sitting in a leadership training center for small group pastors. We were discussing effective models for small group ministry and navigating the unpredictable terrain of creating a new ministry initiative. In that moment, one of the facilitators for this training center said something that grabbed my attention: “There’s no such thing as a problem-free solution.”

I pondered the implications of those words. As leaders, we have a bias toward action. We inevitably believe things can always get better — and they can. A mindset of continual improvement is essential in ministry. Yet, while things can always get better, they can’t get perfect. That reality is sometimes difficult to accept.

As leaders, we want to eliminate every problem, make our strategies flawless and become the best in our area of ministry. That’s a nice thought, but it’s woefully unrealistic. No matter how good your solution is, there’s no such thing as a problem-free solution.

Let me make one thing clear: I’m not suggesting we settle. Nor am I suggesting we excuse ourselves from doing ministry with excellence. I’m also not touting a scarcity mindset or an anti-innovation attitude. I believe church leaders should be on the forefront of innovation and lead with courage. The key is understanding the totality of the solution — both the upside and the downside.

Any time you choose a strategy, adopt a model, pick a path or decide on a course of action, you are undoubtedly solving a problem, perhaps a major one. That’s the great news, and it’s critical to cast a bold vision when charting new territory. But, like it or not, you’re also creating new problems. If you’re on the front end of innovation, you probably don’t even know what those new problems will be.

Let me provide an example. When you recruit volunteers, you most likely have some expectations, especially for leadership roles. Let’s say you want to raise the quality and commitment level of your leaders so you can hand off more responsibility, empower people to new levels of performance, and create greater capacity for increased ministry. That’s a good thing.

One solution is to require your leaders to complete a stringent application process, attend a 12-week training class, commit to lead for a minimum of two years, and participate in an annual leadership retreat (and maybe even walk on water). The good news is you’ll have some of the finest, most well-trained leaders anywhere. That’s the solution. The problem? You’ll only have two of them. If I attended your church, I probably wouldn’t make the cut.

While things can always get better, they can’t get perfect.

Do you have a solution? Yes! Is your solution creating other problems? Absolutely!

Again, there’s no such thing as a problem-free solution. Not only must you be comfortable with your solution, but you must be equally comfortable with the problems your solution will create. So, how do you manage the tension between the best solution and tolerable problems? Here are three questions to consider.

Are the problems the solution will produce greater than the problems it will solve? If you won’t make considerable gains with your new solution, is it worth the hit you’ll take on time, energy, resources and influence? Carefully evaluate what you may gain and what you have to lose. Welcome feedback from trusted advisors, and get input from the people the solution — and its accompanying problems — will most affect. Consider applying your resources to the solutions that give you the best return on investment.

What realities are at work in your context and culture? Perhaps you admire a solution another church in another part of the country (or even down the street) is implementing. Maybe that church is experiencing fantastic results, exponential growth and serious life change. Before you jump on the bandwagon, take a hard look at your context. Pay attention to the unique realities in your church, like demographics, lifestyles, values, schedules and more.

How convinced are you that the new idea will work in your congregation? What is the potential fallout? Can you implement portions of the strategy and still experience healthy gains? Ignoring your context and culture will inevitably backfire. At the same time, don’t become so married to your method that you resist every new idea on the horizon. When we marry our method, we eventually derail our mission.

Can you test drive it first? Rather than announcing massive changes, simply try temporary experiments for a few months. If the experiment fails, it was nothing more than a short-term test of a new idea. If the experiment gains traction, feed the momentum with more energy and resources as you integrate the solution into your culture.

While there’s no such thing as a problem-free solution, you can mitigate the size of your problems with a common-sense approach. Continually look for fresh solutions, pay attention to potential problems, and then take strategic steps in the right direction.