The Missing Link in most Church Strategies

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. 
Mark 1:35 (NASB)

The missing link for most of us in our strategies for growing healthy churches is prayer.  Yes we all state that prayer is important but seldom to we prioritize it or emphasis it in our strategies for growth.  For the most part, the church in America is weak.  Even in our biggest churches we are weak.  What would happen if a church of 100 or 2000 or even 50 were to be really committed to prayer and obeying God at all costs.  We would operate more like special ops rather than girl scouts.  (no knock on girl scouts intended!)  So what are some things we should consider as leaders and pastors, as we strategize for prayer?

1. Connect with the Boss.  Pastor we need to make it a priority to hear from God on a regular basis.  Don't assume that this is what is "normal" for church growth that it is what God is asking for you to do.  Sometimes God has a different plan for us than the status quo.  Spend time 'listening" regularly to God.  I would suggest a regular prayer retreat at least two times a year or even once a month to listen to what God want to say to us.  Jesus got away to hear from the Father and we should too.
2. Make corporate prayer a priority.  I know this is a challenge.  Every church I pastored feel short in this.  Pastor's and churches have given up on prayer meetings.  The problem with our prayer meetings is that we don't pray.  We do Bible study (which is good).  We share prayer requests (sometimes that is needed).  But we don't pray.  Don't give up on prayer but make it a priority.  If it is just you or just you and a few, get together and pray anyway!
3. Create a prayer team.  You need to have a prayer team.  We usually reserve this for a church plant or missionaries.  Pastor there is no difference biblically from you as a pastor or the church planter or missionary.  You need prayer support.  Maybe it will be a group from your church.  Maybe it will be a group from outside the church.  A prayer team needs to be made up of people who will pray, who have a concern or love for you and are committed to you and His church.  When creating a prayer team remember, "it is not the quantity of the team but the quality of the team."
4. Hold Special Prayer Emphasis.  Mission teams going out, VBS or other events are a great time to call together the body to pray specifically for the lost, your community and God's glory to be shown.  Sometimes you may feel the need to call the congregation to a time of prayer for Revival.

Prayer is vital if we are to see God move in our churches with power and purpose!

Bringing Change - Influencing Relationships

  nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work. 

Nehemiah 2:16 (NASB)

Our focus in this post is being the kind of leader who can bring needed change.  These three, "Bringing Change" posts have been about leading to bring change.  We talked about the need to lead, vision and the last one, today, influencing relationships.

Every leader must learn to influence others.  That happens through relationship.  People will only follow you so far because simply you are the leader.  It requires an intentional influence.  But it also requires relationships.  Relationship are the key to everything we do as a leader and when it comes to church life.  Without relationships you will accomplish little.  But let me remind you to be careful not to build relationships just to get the work done.  That is manipulation.  We are called to love!  build relationships just to be a part of another's life and through it you will be able to lead.

That being said we also need to understand others.  In being intentional about building pastoral relationships, keep in mind there are about six different kinds of people you will need to influence.

1. Power People.  These are the people that are influential in the body.  They are the E. F. Hutons in the congregation.  When they speak everyone listens.  You will need to influence them and share the vision with them.
2. Gifted People.  Everyone who is a believer has a spiritual gift.  As a leader you must spend enough time with people to know their giftedness.  You want to be able to influence the right gifts to join in the vision at the right time.
3. Committed People.  If you are to lead you must know who is committed to the cause of Christ.  In every church there will be people present for a variety of reasons.  You need to know who is there because of a calling from Jesus.  They are the people you can count on.
4. Needy people.  Because of the nature of the church there will always be people with needs.  Frankly if the church is doing its job in ministry that is a good thing.  But the needy people that I am speaking about are the complainers, those with an agenda, and those who continually want your attention. It will benefit you to limit your time with these people, they will suck you dry of energy and time if you let them.
5. Flighty people.  These come in several varieties.  Some mean well but just won't catch what you are saying.  At times they will make you chuckle.  They mean well and are harmless but too can zap you of time.  A second type of flighty person is the one who is just waiting for you to say, do something they don't like and then they will take off.  They can be a little more troubling.  Watch out for them, they can give you a challenge in what others think about the ministry of the church.
6. Possible people.  Possible people are leaders in the making.  They have potential and you can see glimmers of great things God can do in their lives and ministry.  Possible people need you to influence them through mentoring and discipleship.

Prayerfully think about the people in the church and how much time and in what ways you need to influence them and build relationships.  A final caution, understand that building relationships with others always includes a risk.  But don't let the risk hinder you from relationships.  They will make all the difference as you lead and personally in your life.

Bringing Change - Share a Vision

"You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach."  I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." 

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NASB)

As we learned in the last post there are times when change is needed.  When it is, we must have the will to lead others to where they need to go.  But in order to do that we must share the vision.  Vision is not our idea it comes from God.  But it will be our responsibility as leaders to help those we lead to embrace the vision.

So how exactly do we do that?  There are at least five important steps in sharing God's vision with God's people.

1. Have the vision.  We must stop and listen and see the vision for ourselves.  If you don't have a vision from the Lord, you can not and should not be trying to lead others.  If you don't have a vision for your church takes some time go away in silence and solitude and ask God to give you His vision for His people!
2. Communicate the vision.  Now is the time to begin communicating the vision.  How do you do that?  In every way and as often as you can.  Preach it, talk about it, teach about it, dream with the people about it.  Keep it in front of them!
3. Organize to fulfill the vision.  This is preparation.  There will always be details to work and small changes to work through in order for the vision to be accomplished.
4. Empower to do the vision.  As the leader you are not to do the vision for the people but equip and lead them to do the vision with you.  Empower them!  Give it to them!  Stand with them to accomplish the good work.
5. Be persistent with the vision.  Stick with it!  Don't give up!  Don't water down when it seem difficult!  If it is from God be persistent regardless of opposition.  Every hill is not worthy of the leader dying on.  But if this vision is truly from the Lord it is worthy of it.    Be persistent!

Leaders must share the vision if change is to be embraced!

Bringing Change - Be a Leader

I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:12 (NASB) 

This is part 1 of 3 blog posts on bringing change.  If there is a dirty word used by good leaders in the church it would be the word CHANGE.  No one likes the word not even leaders.  But it is a needed word.  Most, OK, all churches need change.  Some don't know it.  Some know it but don't know how.  Some know it but are unwilling.  For the pastor who wants to be more than a chaplain, who marries and buries, we must be willing to bring change.  So here is the challenge:  Be a Leader and bring about change if and when it is needed.

Here are some really great statements of truth for us to chew on.  I don't know who originally said these things but I have found them to be true.

"Great leaders are not restricted by the way things have always been done."

"Leadership is searching for the best way, not the familiar way."

"The message should never change (Scripture) but the methods used will need too."

"Change for change sake is never a good thing."

With over 70% of churches in declined, plateauing or already dead, there are some things that need to change.  If we are ever going to impact our communities or the World for the Kingdom we must tackle bringing about change.

(Post 2 will be about Vision.  Post 3 will be about influencing people.)

Leadership Landmines

be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 

1 Peter 4:7 (NASB) 

Ministry can be a difficult "job".  It seems for many leaders there are always those gunning for you and hoping to see you fail.  There are many external challenges to blow up a pastor/leader.  Failure may come because of others but the saddest is when the failure comes because of the leader himself. Beware of the internal failures that you might detonate on yourself.  Remember, character really does matter.  So allow God to convict, change and move you to be all that He wants you to be.

I would like to suggest six leadership landmines that we must watch for in our own attitudes, actions and heart.

• Personal Failure.  We all have seen and heard those who have had a moral failing.  Keep yourself in check.  Confess your weaknesses.  Have fellow leaders who you have called upon as an accountability partner.
• Broken promises.  Don't be a promise breaker but a promise keeper.  If you say it - do it!  Sometimes it is an innocent mistake.  We have good intentions.  But intentions are not what people are looking for.  If you break a promise, quickly fix it and admit it to the one you have let down.
• Gossip.  We must be careful that we practice what we preach.  Check your words and thoughts and how you express yourself.  Make sure that what you say is appropriate and not falling into sin.
• Ignoring the Systems.  Don't try to get around the rules.  Sometimes rules (constitution, bylaws, Policies) can be helpful in ministry.  Sometimes it feels like they restrict a visionary leader from doing what he believes God is leading him to do.  If the systems in place are hindering the ministry then change them but don't just ignore them.
• Manipulation.  Pastors/leaders can sometimes manipulate.  We sometimes act more like a "used car salesman" trying to sell something people don't want.  Sometimes we try to "guilt" people into doing what we want them to do.  Yes there are times that people need to be moved to change and do something that is in line with God's agenda.  Rely on the Holy Spirit's work not your own manipulation.
• Hypocrisy.  Don't be fake!  Don't misuse your position.  Be real with people.  Don't try to be something your not.  Many people, especially millennials will see right through our fakeness.  

A good leader will always check his motives.  Be careful as you move forward into ministry.

Being the Leader They Need

for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, 

Ephesians 4:12 (NASB) 

A truth we must all come to grips with is, "One size does not fit all."  I have learned this over the years.  I am a rather stout individual, and I hate when I find a shirt I like that says "One size fits all" because it never does.  So what does my clothing issue have to do with leadership?  Well it doesn't but it does give us a great leadership illustration.  If you are going to equip your church for ministry don't expect that you can equip or lead everyone the same way.

In equipping you will need to wear at least four different hats to help the church in doing the work of service.

1. Sometimes you will need to be an Instructor.  An instructor is more like a parent.  This is needed when the saints are unwilling and unable to do what needs to be done.  A Parent or instructor will have to show them the need, motivate and instruct them how to do what needs to be done.  This sometimes will include hand holding and personal correction.  But don't throw them away.  Take the time to instruct and pour some of yourself into them, just as you would your own child.
2. Sometimes we need to be a Coach.  A coach is needed when people are willing but unable to do the work.  They need someone who can show them the how.  They will not need you to show them why things should be done.  They will not need a lot of motivation.  But they will need you to teach them how to do the ministry.
3. Sometimes we need to be a cheerleader.  A cheerleader is someone who will support the person in the ministry they are doing.  Cheer leading is part of a mentoring process.  This individual is able to do the ministry but lacks the confidence to step out and do it.  Your role in this scenario is to encourage, mentor, cheer them on.  Help them to know that God has gifted, prepared and equipped them to accomplish His task for them.
4. Sometimes we need to be the Delegator.  This is when the people are willing and able to do the work.  For many of us, this is the most challenging aspect of leading.  Why?  Honest moment here:  because we are not in charge.  It is hard for us to hand off a ministry to someone else.  However, delegation can be the most rewarding and beneficial type of leadership to the Church.  Pastor, you don't have to have your hands in everything.  If they are ready.  Let them Go!

We must be careful as leaders.  We need to make sure that we are using the right kind of leadership with the right people at the right time.  This will require a gut check on our part.  It will also require a prayerful evaluation of the people we are leading.

Building a Team

"what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, 

commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

 2 Timothy 2:2 (HCSB) 

Paul challenges Pastor Timothy as he does Titus and other leaders in the church to not serve alone but find others who will serve with you.  Whether it was Timothy, Barnabas or John Mark, Paul was looking for others to serve with him.  Building a team is critical to effective ministry.

For the first time in my 25 years of ministry I am serving a church with a plurality of Elders.  It is a joy to serve alongside other men for the mission of Christ and His vision for our church.  But it can also be a challenge for us to know how we build a good team.  I will make the assumption at this point that in building a team we will make prayer a priority, seeking the men that God has set aside for the task.  Also assumed is that the men we will bring alongside us will be mature in the faith and will meet the qualifications that we find in Scripture (1 Timothy, Titus etc . . .).  But what can we do to bring together a team for effective ministry?

Let me suggest to you four ways to build and solidify a team for ministry.

1. Share History.  I think it is critical that we share history.  But what does that mean exactly.  For the team to be solidified they need to share some history.  The team should spend time sharing personal history.  Where they have been, mistakes, joys, heartbreaks and victories.  A team also needs to share together the history of the church.
2. Affirm Gifts.  The Scripture is clear that we all have gifts.  We have different gifts.  If your team has all the same gifts you will have difficulties.  A team benefits from a variety of gifts, personalities and experiences.  So affirm the gifts that each person brings to the team.
3. Set Goals.  As the pastor or lead elder it is my responsibility to at least begin the discovery of God's vision for the Church.  But for a team to be solidified set goals together.  Hold each other accountable for praying about and accomplishing the goals around the vision God has set for your church.  Flexibility is important.  But don't be so flexible that nothing ever is done.
4. Celebrate Unity.  Unity in and of it's self is not a worthy goal.  We can be unified around the wrong things.  Unity in the Spirit however is a different story.  Celebrate and cling to the unity that you have together as a team in the Spirit.  As the leader make sure that your team knows its not about you and that you will not throw them to the wolves.  You watch their back and if they are worth their salt they will watch yours.

In most churches we will ask our members to serve together as a team.  Make sure you demonstrate to the body how that is done and what it will look like.

Being a Visionary Leader

In pastoral ministry there are really three biblical words that describe a pastor.  One is that of overseer.  One who guards over or watches over the congregation.  Second is that of Shepherd.  It is where we get the term pastor.  He Shepherds primary role is to feed and nurture the congregation.  The third word is Elder.  Elder describes the role of visionary leader.  The Scripture says that without vision or revelation the people will perish (Prov. 29.18).  So what does that aspect of pastoring look like.  What are the characteristics of a Visionary Leader?

1. He is a Coach.  Being Pastor does not mean, that it needs to be, "my way or the high way." but it does mean that as God imparts His vision/revelation for the congregation I need to coach them in doing what He is calling us to do.  A Coach will mentor, teach techniques and encourage his team to accomplish things bigger than themselves.
2. He is an agent of Change.  I know there it is that dirty word, CHANGE.  Very few people in the world really enjoy change.  Even as pastors we don't really like to change.  But if we are listening to the master we are aware that He is calling us and the people we shepherd to change. We must embrace it and be the one willing to take the first steps toward change and faithfully challenge others to do the same.
3. He is to set Direction.  In most modern church growth guides we are instructed to form a team or have the entire congregation come together and determine direction.  While that sounds really good, I really don't believe that is biblical.  I don't recall in the Scripture an admonition to form a vision team.  The closest we get to that is in the book of Acts when the elders of the church prayed through and set aside Paul and Barnabas in direction of the Holy Spirit.  As leaders we must listen to the Holy Spirit and give direction as He leads.
4. He is a spokesperson or the mouth piece of God.  As a pastor God has given you the privilege to be His mouth piece.  Don't take it lightly.  Don't let it go to your head.  Remember God also spoke through a Donkey!  And certainly bring others around you to affirm that you heard correctly.  But you are going to have to speak His vision to the congregation He has entrusted you to lead.  So, cautiously, respectfully, and humbly speak.

We need vision to be all that Go wants us to be.  Don't miss His great purpose for us as His shepherds to lead people to His vision!

Why Membership

In today's church culture it is a trend to not expect anyone to "join" the church.  In other words we should not expect people to become members.  Attending church is enough.  Is this correct?  Why would we expect membership?  Is it Biblical?

We should take a moment to acknowledge that in the early church there was not a question of church membership.  It was not even mentioned.  Why is that?  Because in the early church making a commitment meant that you were part of the Body.  Period.  The idea that you might need to join was a non-issue.

What has changed?   Well the church has changed.  The church has become an institution.  The invitation has also changed, not to mention the terminology.  We have begun to invite people to get saved instead of inviting others to become followers of Christ.  That is something to chew on and discuss more in depth at another time.

So are there good reasons for encouraging people who come to Christ or believers who begin to attend the Church to join in membership?  Yes I think there are.  Milfred Minatrea in his book Shaped by God's Heart (pg. 32)  shares four reasons NorthWood Church gives for people to join their church.  We would do well to think on these reasons and perhaps share them with the people who are attending the Churches we serve.

1. A biblical reason: Christ is committed to the church.  In Ephesians 5.25 Paul writes, "Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her."  This reminds us that Christ gave all for His church and we should love the Church because He loves the Church and commit to it. 
2. A cultural reason: It is an antidote to our society.  Especially, in the American Church we find consumerism running rampant.  It seems a novel idea to some that we would join a church to serve rather than be served.  The statement, "what have you done for me lately." seems the common call of many church attenders.
3. A practical reason: It defines who can be counted on.  As NorthWood points out every team has a roster, every school has an enrollment, every business has a payroll and even the army has an enlistment.  We, the shepherds of the church need to know who is with us and to what level they can be counted on.
4. A personal reason: It produces spiritual growth. The New Testament is clear that we really cannot be all that God intends for us to be on our own, fellowship is required.  We need the accountability and encouragement that we get through long term relationship with other believers.

Membership really does matter.  Leading on purpose means we might have to engage our congregations to make membership a priority,