Tag: pastor

  • Letter #28–Heritage

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         I had occasion recently to attend a Christmas worship service in the church house where I officiated my first funeral message.  One of my uncles passed, and I was asked by the family to present his eulogy and the funeral message. 

         The building was erected in the late 1800’s.  You can see the footprints and handprints of its builders in the rough-sawn planks that cover the ceiling, walls and floor.  It was the same church house and cemetery where my maternal grandparents were laid to rest, as well as my mother and all her siblings.  Numerous cousins and extended family members either had their funerals there or had been interred in that cemetery.  You could say my family has deep roots in the place. (No pun intended.)

         Sometimes a small church pastor is sent by God to such a location as the one I just described.  As the pastor begins ministry in that congregation, the heritage of the congregation can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.  Many congregations have great histories.  Revivals of the past, record missions offerings and long-established spiritual traditions all reflect the heritages of many small congregations.  However, the memories of those past events can become a two-sided coin that impedes the progress of a congregation’s spiritual growth.  The memories can become the focus of the people, who long to see those memories come to life again.  And their focus on the past can slow their movement into the future.

         A small church pastor should tread patiently and carefully when it comes to the heritage of a congregation.  Trying to deal with any aspect of a congregation’s heritage that may be hindering their spiritual growth is tricky business that requires much prayer and discernment from God.

         The pastor should learn as much as possible about the history and traditions that exist in a congregation.  Some things will be pleasant memories that are casually discussed and some things will be so ingrained in the congregation that they are considered as absolutes to their operation and will be expected to be held in extremely high regard, almost to the point of idolatry.

          Examples: A congregation in a neighboring county accepted the use of a computer and projector for singing without much opposition because they enjoyed being able to worship without having to hold a book when they wanted to clap along with a song or raise their hands as they worshipped.   I also know of a congregation that would wait until a particular member would quietly raise a hand and start to weep before anyone else would express any reaction to an inspiring sermon.  Their comments about this included a statement that the individual knew when God’s spirit was moving and no one wanted to “get ahead of that person” during worship.

         Once the pastor has learned about the history and traditions, prayerfully consider what has been learned to determine if anything is standing in the way of the congregation getting closer to following Jesus.  If there is anything, then slowly, graciously and lovingly broach the subject after asking the leadership to help you pray about something.  Remember to bathe every decision in prayer, seeking the guidance and timing of the Holy Spirit when dealing with anything such as this.  As with any change, speak to your leadership before speaking to the general congregation.  Be sure the leaders are willing to make any adaption to a tradition.

         Keep in mind that those folks who are the backbone of the congregation have much time, money and effort in the history of the congregation.  They are the ones who probably did the cooking, painting, sweeping, repairing, singing, praying and witnessing that were integral parts of any heritage they have.  And if they were not the ones, their parents and grandparents were.  They have family ties to their past, in all likelihood.  Remember how thick blood is.

         Those parts of the heritage that are blessings and points of encouragement should be celebrated when the occasion arises.  You might remind the current members how their ancestors would pray earnestly for revival and encourage them to do the same.  You could point out how growth in numbers usually came after those prayers were coupled with community-wide evangelistic outreaches that they could do themselves.  Honestly admit to the people when the traditions are helpful and point out how they bring people closer to Jesus and encourage them in their faith.

         You might have a heritage, with its traditions, in your own family.  Remember how much that means to you.  A congregation feels the same way about its heritage and traditions.  The local congregation’s past can be a source of inspiration and encouragement for your people.  Seek God’s guidance and anointing as you approach the reality of having to patiently deal with the good side and the unfortunate side of any local heritage.  As I mentioned in Letter #27, remember your source, especially when you deal with a congregation’s heritage.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #25–Generosity

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         (This letter may strike a nerve or seem controversial, but I present it with all the grace and concern I can muster from my experiences.)

         According to a minister who was associated with it, there is a very small church located in our area that has a bank account totaling over $100,000 (That’s right–one hundred thousand dollars).  It has a small facility.  The congregation is quite small in number.  You might ask yourself how this could happen.  It may be that this happened because they did not share their financial blessings with anyone else over a very long period of time.  They merely banked them “in case we need the money.”

         The building is well-kept.  The grounds are neat.  They even have a newly designed sign out front.  But they are lacking something, and it reveals itself in the few cars and trucks parked on the grass when they meet.  They are so “thrifty” when it comes to spending money that, in the eyes of those who are familiar with their situation, they appear to lack generosity.

         The lack of generosity in financial matters has a way of spreading to every other area of a congregation.  Its insidious influence can be seen in the lack of outreach to a community.  It shows up in no new faces in the worship services for months, even years.  The lack of generosity is revealed in the percentage of income that is invested in local, regional, national and world missions annually.  It is evident in the lack of new salvations or re-commitments to God recorded during a calendar year.  It is demonstrated in the reality that few, if any, members of a congregation have ever shared their faith with anyone else.

         Generosity is a mind-set.  Generosity is a lifestyle.  Generosity is a valued characteristic of people who understand that blessings are designed to be shared, not hoarded in self-interest. 

         Generosity is the opposite of a clenched fist that desperately tries to hold onto blessings in fear of losing them.  Generosity is the open hand that freely gives because it has feely received.

         Allow me to encourage you to teach about, encourage and promote generosity in your people.  As you teach, encourage and promote, remember that generosity includes more than just money.  It also includes time and talents. 

         You might want to present a series of messages that show how time, talents and finances were generously shared in the Old and New Testaments through the free-will offerings as well as through tithes, through working together to achieve common goals and through dedicated time investments that benefitted people.  Then you might highlight examples of generosity from all three areas in your locale. 

         As you lead your people, provide opportunities for people to give their time, talents and money toward missions, community outreaches, local charities or joint work projects with other congregations.  Encourage them to be generous toward others individually as they encounter needs around them.

         Set an example of generosity in your own life.  If you are giving of your own blessings toward them and others, some of them will eventually realize you are practicing what you are preaching.  Examples are great teachers.

         One of our pastorates involved a congregation that had learned the value of generosity.  One year as I looked at what we had accomplished through outreaches into the community, I realized we had invested thirty-four percent of all our income into local, state and national missions.  I know that’s not a record, but I also am keenly aware of the limited incomes of the families in that congregation.  They gave in their own need.

         During that same year, we volunteered to provide labor to rebuild a home that was terribly deteriorated for a single lady.  The rebuild took months of weekends and vacation time to accomplish.  We also fed over 300 people each month at our missions dinners.  That congregation had invested themselves generously in the cause of the Kingdom of God by sharing the blessings God had sent to them.

         As with all aspects of ministry, developing an attitude of generosity will take some time if it does not already exist in the people.  If the attenders are already tithing, fostering generosity may be easier to accomplish.  If not, the people need to understand their responsibility to the tithe, a responsibility that reflects an understanding that God already owns all our resources and that we are simply giving back into His Kingdom work that which He can acquire in any method He chooses to use.  And tithing does involve generosity in general, in my opinion, because it involves giving from what we have into a need that should be met through the congregation.

         If you are blessed with a congregation that understands what a free-will offering of time, talents and treasure entails, you are at a definite advantage over someone who is having to start from scratch by teaching about giving in general.  Such an already generous congregation often will continue in their giving in ways that may surprise even a veteran pastor, because they are individually meeting needs that are never openly mentioned to the whole congregation.

         Example: I know of someone who often has helped older people who have trouble operating a new smart phone or a new laptop to access the internet.  (I suppose generosity can include sharing knowledge, too.)

         A final thought that may stimulate your curiosity—take a minute to search out the word “freely” in the Bible.  It can give you one starting place when it comes to promoting generosity.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #24–Changing Others–2

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         In the previous letter, the third suggestion I made for a pastor attempting to make a change in the operation of a congregation was to be patient.  I gave the example of moving a piano one inch at a time.  Please pay attention—fast changes that occur through the authority of the pastoral position only, without including the ideas and opinions of the leadership and general congregation as a whole, usually last only as long as that individual is the pastor.  They will not necessarily become permanent, regardless of the success the changes bring into the worship of the congregation.

         Remember comfort zones and habits?  People have a tendency to revert to old habits and preferences whenever the driving force of a “new thing” is no longer present.  In order to continue to bring more successes, the change must replace the old habits and preferences, not simply delay their return.        

         For that replacement to occur, there must be a consistent repetition of the “new thing.”  The change has to be presented often with highlights on the successes that occur in order for the new habit to be established in the minds and lives of the members of the congregation.  Repetition will take time.  Replacement of old habits takes time.  Creating support for new preferences takes time.

         Example: The platform of one of our facilities was very small.  It was so small that it quickly became overcrowded when one or two new instruments and people were added to the singing portion of our worship services.  In the center of the platform stood a large podium, complete with a door and shelves.  I approached the leadership with the idea of replacing the podium with a smaller stand for a short period of time in order to see if that would help with the overcrowding on the platform.  I explained why I felt it would be helpful to the music portion of our worship service and made the suggestion to the whole congregation before I moved the podium. 

         It took a couple of months of talking to the leadership and musicians in casual conversations before I actually brought it up to the congregation.  (Suggestion #2 from Letter #23.)  The podium was replaced on a temporary basis and remains replaced to this day.  The congregation had become accustomed to seeing the uncluttered platform and had accepted the change as beneficial.

         Not every change pastors feel led to present to a congregation succeed.  One of the most significant changes that occurs in congregations is associated with the music program and the songs that are sung.  Traditional hymns are valuable to any congregation and their spiritual development.  Praise choruses are, too.  New songs with verses and choruses are, too.  Changes in music styles need to be prayerfully approached with a great deal of patience. 

         I discovered it takes time for a congregation to accept and begin using new songs on a regular basis.  Be patient when it comes to using new music in a congregation that has not had new songs introduced very much.  This is true for any group, even a congregation that is composed of young couples who have usually sung contemporary music, although I’ve noticed that young people will accept different music quicker than older folks simply because they are younger and have not been singing the same songs for forty years.

         Sidebar—If you want to introduce a new song or a new music style to an older congregation, it might help if the singer/musician is a child or grandchild of someone who has been associated with the congregation for a long time.  People can be more accepting if the new sound comes from a family member.

         I made these statements about music because I have seen instances in which a pastor introduced new songs or styles to a congregation with what appeared to be some success.  However, as soon as the pastor moved on to another location, the music reverted back to older, more familiar songs.  The song leaders were cooperating with the pastor in the new music, but they did so only because the pastor was leading in that direction.  As soon as a new pastor arrived, the old preferences for a different music style prevailed, and the new music disappeared.  Do be patient about creating an atmosphere of acceptance for new songs.  This particular change might take more time than you could ever imagine.

         It has been quoted that the city of Rome was not built in a day.  According to Discover Magazine, it took roughly 800 years from its foundation in 735 B.C. for Rome to reach its peak in its construction.  Hopefully the changes the Holy Spirit leads you to introduce will not take that much time.  But remember, replacing old habits and preferences will take time.  You’ll need to constantly remind yourself of this reality.  Be patient.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #19–Work Together

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         There is a special blessing that comes to the small church pastor and its congregation when they gather to work together.  Let’s consider this blessing and some of its benefits.

         One benefit of working together is that you have the opportunity to build stronger relationships with the people present, just as when you eat together.  You know as well as I do that work does not always require such concentrated focus that people cannot talk about everyday life while working.  It’s during those times that you can learn more about your congregation, their likes and dislikes, dreams, fears, concerns and personal needs. (Sound familiar?)

         The metal roof and steeple of one of the churches I pastored had seen years of weathering which had discolored them.  We decided to gather volunteers, pressure washers and a high lift to clean the roof.  As we were working, we talked about the history of the church, who was involved in establishing the ministry in that community and how the congregation had developed over the years.  We talked about their family histories, too, and where their children had gone to school, what careers they had sought and who was still living in the area.  We talked about why someone had missed the work day because of illness in his family.  We talked and we learned a great deal about each other that day, and that knowledge helped solidify our relationships.

         Another benefit of working together is you discover people’s strengths and weaknesses.  You discover what they do well and areas in which they can be helped to improve.  You might even discover your own strengths and weaknesses and how you can improve your own abilities.  Always remember that working with others might just give you new information about how to achieve something that you did not know how to do before learning that information.  And you can share things you know with others who may not know those beneficial bits of information yet.  Essentially, you have the opportunity to learn from your congregation, and they can learn from you.

         At one of the churches I pastored, the floor in part of the building was sagging because of previous damage from termites.  I asked for volunteers to help bolster the underpinning of the frame building.  As we were setting up our equipment and began to place supports and new lumber under the floor, I discovered that one of the men who was helping had worked for a company that set up mobile homes.  He had done exactly what we were attempting to do numerous times and knew every step involved in securing a sound foundation for the building.  That knowledge came in handy that day.

         In addition to these two benefits, working on and completing a task together helps relationships to grow because those involved in the work have accomplished a common goal together.  Having a common goal is an important aspect of leading a congregation.  When members of a small church gather to share their skills and knowledge in order to get something done, especially if it is some outreach into the community in fulfilling the great commission, a strong bond is created among the workers.  When people plan a project together, prepare the supplies needed for the project and then go about doing the actual work to accomplish their goal, there is a sense of unity that is developed.  That unity is necessary for the congregation to develop its identity in the community it serves.

         One of our congregations decided they wanted to host a benefit dinner for a young boy who had serious medical needs.  They wanted to reach out to that family to simply help with their financial struggles while making numerous trips to specialists, some of which were not very close to their home.  The small congregation enlisted family members and friends to help.  They planned the meal, collected the necessary food items, advertised the benefit well and gathered on the appointed day to work and help that family. 

         The benefit meal was a huge success and provided a larger donation to the family than expected.  Everyone was tired at the end of the day and the kitchen and fellowship hall needed a thorough cleaning, but they had achieved something together that had been a much-needed blessing to the family of the sick child.  The sense of accomplishment pulled that congregation together and solidified their commitment to helping their community whenever they could.

         The key to the idea of working together is the “together” part.  Whether you are cleaning a roof, repairing a floor or cooking a meal, working alongside others in the important part.  Resist the temptation to include the same few people all the time.  Include as many as possible from the congregation.  But don’t stop there.  Encourage the congregation to invite their family members, friends, colleagues at work, neighbors…anyone else available…to come along and join in the project.  Expand your circles of influence and include new people every time you get the chance to do so.  Bring together as many as possible to get the job done, whether it’s physical work, like cleaning, repairing or cooking, or spiritual work, like praying for community needs.

         Here’s a final thought.  Ever since God created Eve to help Adam and complete him as his wife, there have been people working together to accomplish goals.  Families, neighborhoods, communities, clubs, sports teams, businesses and, yes, small church congregations all rely on the “together” principle for success.  The one who puts the people together will discover there are many more benefits to working together than I have mentioned in this letter.  So, get some folks together and go to work.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #17–My Wants vs God’s Will

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

        “I hope you’re wearing your steel-toed boots today.”  I’ve said that to my congregations from time to time when I had a message from God that was one of those pills that’s hard to swallow, but needs to be taken in.  So, put on your boots, and I pray you’ll receive this letter in the spirit of brotherly love in which it is sent.

         Sometimes, probably more often than we like to admit, God will ask us to do something we really don’t want to do.  We all have our likes and dislikes, our pet peeves, our preferences.  These often control our words, actions and reactions to life’s varying situations.  There are things we simply prefer not to do if we get our way.  There are people we don’t particularly like to be around, and there are situations into which we don’t go because we don’t want to be in those situations.

         Moses didn’t want to go back to Egypt to be the deliverer God told him to go be.  Gideon didn’t want to go fight the army of Midian.  Jonah didn’t want to go preach repentance to Ninevah.  I could go on, but you get the picture.

         God will select someone and give that someone a special job to do without regard to whether or not the someone wants to do the job.  I am of the opinion that God may even choose someone because He knows he/she doesn’t want to do what God wants them to do.  God knows the outcome He seeks, and He knows who will be the best one to achieve that outcome if the someone will rely on God to accomplish whatever the task is.  Remind yourself that God knows more than all of us put together.

         Now, here comes the rub—Are we willing to do what we don’t want to do because God wants us to do it?  Ouch!  Are we willing to set aside our wants so God’s will can be accomplished?  Will we obey the voice of God, or do we insist on doing things according to our preferences, our likes and dislikes, our “want-to’s?”

         Allow me to give you an example from my own ministry.  At the conclusion of one of my pastorates, I left the church feeling controlled and abused.  I was at a bad place spiritually and even considered ending my ministry efforts.  I made up my mind that I would not step into a similar situation again.  I had decided that I would not pastor a small church again.

         However, God had other plans.  Through a series of devotions that “just seemed to fall at that time” and times of prayer, scripture reading and contemplation, He reminded me of who was in control of my ministry and who it was who opened opportunities to me for ministry.  God reminded me that He was placing me where He wanted me.  God also reminded me that obedience to His will pleases Him more than anything else we can do.

         I mentioned Moses, Gideon and Jonah earlier.  Let’s remember something about these people who finally obeyed God and did what He wanted, instead of what they wanted.  Moses did lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and oversaw the operation of an entire nation for a little over forty years.  Gideon did lead a small army of God-selected warriors against impossible odds and defeated the Midianites.  Jonah did preach to Ninevah, resulting in an entire city turning to God in repentance.

         They were all successful.  They were all blessed for their efforts.  They were all used by God to bring glory and honor to God.  They all were taught, guided and empowered by God to accomplish what He wanted them to do.  They obeyed the call and the outcome accomplished much for the kingdom of God.

         I need to ask you now, is God asking you to do something you don’t want to do?  Is God calling you back into the fray of fighting for His goals, not yours?  Is God opening a door for you to walk through, even if you think you know all the detractors on the other side of the door?  Is God asking you to obey His voice, His will, instead of following your wants?

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #15–Honesty

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         That old saying “Honesty is the best policy” holds true in most aspects of life, especially in the small church setting.  Be honest with your congregation.  If you are having a rough time dealing with something life is throwing your way, be honest about it, and avoid the mistake of pretending everything is going great when you’re around your congregation.

         Small congregations have an ear to their community, and they’ll know if something isn’t going well in that community.  They may not bring it up, but they’ll know.  You might be surprised at how understanding they will be when you admit you’re struggling about something.

         No pastor is impervious to trials and setbacks.  No pastor is walking on cloud nine every single day.  So don’t pretend you are all the time.  Your congregation knows everyone is open to satanic attack, and they know everyone will have hard times, too.  Remember that they ask for prayer about things they’re going through and seek guidance and help in the hard times.  When you let them know your own prayer requests, you form a stronger bond with them through your honesty.

         Something else about honesty, never—NEVER—sugar-coat the gospel.  It’s great to preach about the love, mercy and grace of God.  Everybody loves those sermons.  But if you do not include God’s justice and punishment on evil, you’re doing your folks a great disservice.  Be honest about God’s judgment on wickedness, just as you are honest about God’s unconditional forgiveness for all who repent and seek that forgiveness.  Those who are under your spiritual umbrella need to hear about heaven and hell, not just heaven.

         If you are a small church pastor and feel God is leading your ministry to change something about how they all “do church,” tell them.  Explain what God’s guidance on this matter is and what the benefits are.  Include them in the decision-making process about any changes that are led through the Holy Spirit.  Have open, sincere conversations with them about God’s leading in your life as their pastor. 

         One last item today on this vast topic—avoid anything that remotely looks like manipulation when it comes to leading your flock.  Honesty in communication with them will dispel any idea the devil tries to plant in their minds that you’re attempting to get them to do something you want to do and they haven’t bought into yet.  Honesty in communication will also help you build more trust between them and you as their pastor.  When they can believe what you say, they should follow your lead as their pastor.

         When a congregation believes the pastor is honest with them, they tend to be honest with the pastor.  That honesty on both parts will benefit all concerned in the long run.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

    (PS—More about honesty later.)

  • Letter #10–Family

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

          Let’s take a look at one of the great blessings found in a small congregation.  They usually all know each other and may even be related through family ties.  I’ve discovered this “family feeling” is quite common in a small church setting.  Although it sometimes proves to have its downfalls, having a close relationship with each other can be utilized by a pastor to strengthen a congregation’s commitment to the Lord and to each other.

         It will take some time for a congregation to trust a new pastor, but when the pastor demonstrates a willingness to accept everyone and their families, that trust can be achieved, and it will enable the pastor to become more than a weekend evangelist who visits them in the hospital when they’re sick. 

         Remember to forego comparing anyone in the congregation to people in another location.  They want to talk about people they know.  Talk with the people who attend, ask questions about their families and friends and listen attentively to what they say.  Take an interest in all their relationships, even the ones they don’t talk about much.

         When the opportunity avails itself, work on projects with the people in your congregation.  Set work days at your facility and enlist as many people as possible to join in.  If they talk about working on some project at home, volunteer to help them.  Bring your spouse and children, if you have any still at home, and involve them in what’s going on at the church house and the members’ houses.  Go to their family reunions if invited.  Invite them to yours.  Attend their children’s ballgames or birthday parties when you are available.  Demonstrate to the people that you are willing to become part of their lives.

         People who work together, eat together and experience life together grow together.  They learn from each other as they learn about each other.  Those times of informally gaining personal information about each other will bring people to the point of being able to trust each other.  (Remember Letter #5 on Relationships) Allow me to give an example about learning and trusting from my own ministry.

         One of my former congregants was a cattle farmer.  He mentioned one day that he was going to run some new fencing to separate a field for grazing.  I volunteered to come help him install the fence.  As we met early the next day, I asked how he usually laid out the fence line, how he spaced his fence posts and how many runs of barbed wire he was going to put up.  He responded with the information needed to do the job, and we began.

          As we were attaching the wire strands to the posts, he commented that I was the first pastor he had met who knew anything about manual labor, especially farm fencing.  I related how I had grown up on a small farm that had livestock and understood the concept of needing good fences.  He learned I had much in common with him and his way of life.  He had also learned that if I said I was going to do something, I did it.  I learned to trust him, and he learned to trust me.  Every time I see him now, he gives me a firm handshake and a brotherly hug. 

         Remember to keep your word when you tell someone you will do something.  If you have to, write down your promises or put them on your calendar so you can remember what you promised. 

         Speaking of calendars, put birthdays and anniversaries on your own calendar, as well as on the church calendar.  If there is not already a church calendar, create one with the help of someone in the congregation who is interested in this type of activity.  (This is a good way to involve others in producing something useful for the entire congregation.) 

          After acquiring their permission, include the attenders in groups in your social media accounts.  Do everything you can to communicate about daily life with as many people as possible in as many ways as possible.  Let the congregation know you consider all of them as integral parts of your own life.

         You are their shepherd, their pastor.  You are part of their spiritual family and the diverse physical family that makes up the congregation.  Build up the physical family ties, and you will discover that you will be able to better build up the spiritual family under your care.  That “family feeling” is one of the best blessings your small church will possess.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #9–The Boss

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         The first summer job I had as a teenager was loading watermelons for a local farmer.  He was the one who contacted me to come to work, and he was the one who gave me my “job description” in relationship to all the other farmhands he employed.  He was the one who paid me at the end of the day or week, depending on the job we had to complete.  He was the boss.  (Just to let you know how long ago that was, the going rate for teenaged farm labor was $.50/hour, which netted us $5 at the end of a 10-hour day.)

         We all knew who the boss was, and we all knew we were expected to live up to his expectations when it came to handling the melons correctly as they were harvested and loaded for transport from the field to the packing house.  We knew he had the answers to any questions about our work that we might have.  We also knew any correction or discipline that might become necessary in the field would come from him.  After all, he was the boss.     

         When you were called (contacted) by God and given a job to do as a minister in His kingdom, God became your spiritual “boss.”  God is the one who established your job description.  God is the one who placed you in the body of Christ as a pastor.  He is the one to whom you answer and the one from whom you will receive any necessary discipline.  God is the one who will reward you at the end of your time in his “field.”

         Why am I making this comparison?  Simply put, we sometimes forget who the boss is.  Pastors sometimes forget whose expectations we need to meet and who it is that anoints us, equips us, guides us and, yes, even disciplines us as we move forward for His kingdom.  We sometimes forget who it is for whom we are working.

         Pastors are given to the church by God.  Church administrative boards, deacon boards, and congregations did not create the office of pastor.  God created this office, and he did so in order for the members of His church to be guided, strengthened, and motivated to become mature in faith and successful in fulfilling God’s great commission to go out into all the world and make disciples and God’s great commandments to first love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and then to love one another with unconditional love.

         In our modern church environment, pastors are often misled by social constructs and traditions into thinking man is the boss.  We are told to “read the by-laws and go by them.”  We are told the “board” has the last say on all matters.  We are separated from our ministry partners by the titles “clergy” and “laity,” and heaven forbid if we don’t follow the prescribed patterns set by our ancestors.  We’re even sometimes threatened by dismissal if we do not adhere to what has always been done in a particular church setting.  Essentially, we are deceived into believing man and his rules are our boss. 

         There is nothing wrong with traditions, by-laws, titles and patterns within the confines of a congregation.  They help to create stability and purpose in a congregation.  However, if these concepts are not used properly under the spiritual umbrellas that God places within a congregation, they tend to tempt people into trying to become “the boss” in response to those traditions, by-laws, titles and patterns.  (More about spiritual umbrellas in another letter.) 

         When a congregation understands the Biblical role of the pastor in relationship to the congregation, it is less likely to try to become the one to whom the pastor is ultimately accountable.  The expectations of the congregation will reflect the expectations God has already established for the office of pastor.  The pastor can then fulfill his responsibilities to God’s calling without having to worry about whether or not he is keeping the congregation contented because they have expectations that do no line up with God’s expectations as noted in scriptures.  The congregation and the pastor will both know who is in charge of the body of believers called the church.

         This knowledge will empower and liberate the pastor.  A congregation who understands who the pastor’s boss is will allow the pastor to flow in God’s anointing.  They will accept God’s messages that come to them through the pastor and will learn how to apply those messages to their lives.  They will be a blessing to their spiritual leader because they want to obey the boss as much as the leader does.  Such a congregation allows the pastor to bring truth into their lives, and that truth is brought without fear of rejection by those who learn it.

         That type of congregation can exist.  The Pastor will have to teach the congregation who is in control of his ministry and who is in control of the overall ministry of the congregation.  Among other concepts, the pastor will have to help everyone involved understand who the head of the church is, what the pastor’s Biblical job description is, and what the individual disciples of Christ should be doing as they all minister under the auspices of God.  The pastor who leads such a congregation will be a blessing to them, and they will be a blessing to the pastor.

         First, though, the pastor must remember who “the boss” is.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor    

  • Letter #7–K.I.S.S. Revisited

    Dear Small Church Pastor,

         In the first installment for K.I.S.S., I suggested you include the members of your congregation as ministry partners in order to simplify your life.  I pray you are encouraging your membership as they develop the gifts and talents resident in your congregation in order to accomplish that aspect of keeping ministry simple.

         Allow me to make a second recommendation toward achieving a more simple life for yourself and your congregation.  When preparing sermons or Bible lessons, focus on Jesus.  Focus on who Jesus is, what he has accomplished, what he taught his original disciples, and what he promised to do for, in and through them.  Focus on the gospel message and how to live out the teachings of Christ.  You will find that centering your message on the good news that there is forgiveness through faith in Jesus will simplify your ministry.

         Satan will try to get you sidetracked from this central message.  Remember he is the source of confusion, division and strife.  Satan will try to get you involved in arguments over controversial doctrinal points.  He will attempt to bring factional “us versus them” thinking into your congregation, and, if he can, he will use you to create unintended factions within your attenders through what seems to be innocent questions.

         Always remember Satan is a deceiver, a manipulator and a thief, and he wants nothing more than to steal, kill and destroy the works you and your congregation are doing for the kingdom of God.  In order to achieve his insidious purposes, he works through people to bring up “What do you think about…” kinds of questions.  He uses, “I heard…,” “I’m confused about…,” or “My friend/uncle/brother/neighbor/etc. says….”

         It’s during these seemingly innocent times that your spiritual enemy is working to complicate your life and ministry by getting you to “major on the minors” in life.  To combat these deceptions, I encourage you to always use scriptures in answering any question that might be a controversial subject.  My normal response to any doctrinal issue that arises is, “Let’s see what the Bible says about this.”  Always remember that the Bible holds the truth about any situation that arises in life.  What I think about a situation does not matter when it comes to what the Bible actually says.  Taken in its proper context, scripture always has the correct answer to any question, even the ones the devil tries to use to complicate ministry.

         When those controversial subjects arise, and they will arise eventually, attempt to steer the conversation back to the simplicity of the gospel.  If that fails, allow the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak through scriptures to those who are posing the questions.  Remember Paul’s advice to his protégé Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20 to “…avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” KJV (“Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.” NLT)

         Allow me to give an example of this concept for maintaining simplicity in ministry.  A missionary we know operates in a country where the population is over 99% non-Christian.  He never compares Christianity to that national faith, nor does he debate the ideology of the other faith’s founder to that of Jesus.  He only talks about Jesus and his teachings.  His ministry is very successful, reaching over 9 million people monthly through various media avenues.  That success is influenced by the fact that he keeps his ministry focused on Jesus only.

         Focus on the simplicity of the good news about Jesus as much as is possible in every facet of your ministry.  If some divisive topic rears its head, go to scripture for guidance and rely on the Holy Spirit to deal with those topics as only he can by moving in the hearts and minds of those involved.  Remember:  KISS.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor

  • Letter #2–Vision

    Dear Small Church Pastor

                You’ve probably preached the verse that says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18)   That vision, that over-riding thought, that dream for your congregation, is very likely God’s will for your church.  There’s a solid chance that the vision is that “one thing” the Holy Spirit is leading you to achieve for His kingdom.  There is something you can do in order to discover if it is.

                In order to know God’s will for your own life, you had to seek God, talk to him and then listen to His voice.  You’re going to have to do the same things in order to discover His will for your congregation.  You’re going to have to pray, pray, pray, and then, pray some more.  Then be quiet and wait on the Holy Spirit to answer you.

                I know that’s a “WELL, DUH!” statement.  Here’s the rub—Too many of us small church pastors pray and pray and pray, but we don’t stop talking and listen.  We’re too busy to be still in His presence and allow Him to talk to us.

                The enemy has convinced us we are supposed to invest our days and nights in hospital visits, making follow-up calls to visitors—if we ever have any—keeping the church yard neat, overseeing the new bathroom remodel, meetings with the Kiwanis Club or Chamber of Commerce, cooking for the benefit dinner, having board meetings, planning the every month outreach activity, prepping sermons and Bible studies, etc..  The enemy has convinced us we should be doing what everyone else is doing.  He has convinced too many of us that we should be doing that “everything” deal.  (Remember the first letter?)

                None of these activities are bad things to do.  However, they do devour our time and keep us away from being still and waiting on God to speak to us.  If you are going to discover the will of God for your people, His vision for them, then you are going to have to stop doing everything and start doing what matters the most.  Make time to get alone with God in order to have regular conversations with Him. 

                Allow me to share something one of our district leaders once said to a group of pastors.  He said, “When I was pastoring, I should have spent more time in prayer listening to God than I spent in hospitals talking to sick folks and their families.”  There’s wisdom in that statement.  He had discovered the key to being a great leader lies in being a great listener to the Holy Spirit. 

                Invest more time in sharing what’s on your heart with God, then stop talking, be quiet and still, and listen as He shares what’s on His heart with you.

    Sincerely,

    A Small Church Pastor