Getting Started on the Right Foot
A friend who has recently moved to pastor in a new community asked me, "What things would you recommend that I do at the beginning of my ministry at my new church?"
Here's my reply:
1. Meet and bless the leaders.
2. Ask for a list of shut ins and visit them -- seriously -- the first or second day on the ground -- that speaks of truly loving your congregation for who they are, and not what they can "do for your church."
3. Make sure to carve out time to pray each morning before you take off running -- set your time alone with God as a top priority right off the bat. Never seek the face of people before you seek the face of God.
4. Be wary of people who come to you with an agenda.
5. Don't badmouth the former pastor.
6. Read the church board minutes for the past five years.
7. Invite seven new people to church.
8.. Meet with the three longest tenured parishioners and listen to their stories.
9. Go on a prayer drive through the community and ask God to give you kingdom eyes.
10. Meet the church's next door neighbors, the mayor, the sheriff, the funeral director, the superintendent of schools, and the CEO of the nearest hospital.
Here's my reply:
1. Meet and bless the leaders.
2. Ask for a list of shut ins and visit them -- seriously -- the first or second day on the ground -- that speaks of truly loving your congregation for who they are, and not what they can "do for your church."
3. Make sure to carve out time to pray each morning before you take off running -- set your time alone with God as a top priority right off the bat. Never seek the face of people before you seek the face of God.
4. Be wary of people who come to you with an agenda.
5. Don't badmouth the former pastor.
6. Read the church board minutes for the past five years.
7. Invite seven new people to church.
8.. Meet with the three longest tenured parishioners and listen to their stories.
9. Go on a prayer drive through the community and ask God to give you kingdom eyes.
10. Meet the church's next door neighbors, the mayor, the sheriff, the funeral director, the superintendent of schools, and the CEO of the nearest hospital.
Great suggestions! Most of them speak to this one action - BUILD RELATIONSHIPS!!! People can admire a great preacher, they can brag on someone who is a sharp administrator, they will appreciate a comforter at the hospital - but they will love a friend!!!! BUILD RELATIONSHIPS!
ReplyDeleteMark, this is wonderful. Very practical. I love the part about listening to the stories.
ReplyDeleteBUILD RELATIONSHIPS! DEFINITELY! But not just with the current leaders. Especially if this is a troubled church with many turnovers of pastors. Remember, these leaders are the ones the departing pastors had to deal with. Read the minutes of previous meetings with caution. This was the agenda of the previous administration.
ReplyDeleteMark - great post! As a worship pastor, I'm going to borrow these points and re-write them to apply to worship pastors/instrumental associates for my own blog.
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog today, and I'm enjoying what you're posting. Keep up the great work.