Mon 17 Nov, 2008
This Week in Mission – Nov. 17, 2008
As I travel, I continue to do skype coaching with individual pastors. (If anyone is interested in my “coaching covenant” let me know). In these darker economic times, pressure mounts on reprioritizing program and budget. But I see also that pressure mounts for clergy to refocus their own energy. More clergy are saying to themselves (and God): “I have to think differently … behave differently … learn new things … and reinvent myself.”
Here is a partial chart for the “reinvention of onself” (3 out of the five changes). You can see the key strategic moves … what you start and, even more significantly, what you stop doing.
Reinventing Yourself
Most clergy were raised in churches, and trained in seminary, to lead churches that will inevitably die.
Reinvention #1: From Chaplain to the Members … to Enabler of the Family
Answer the Key Question Stop “Theologizing”
Prioritize the Stranger Stop Visiting Everybody
Enliven Worship Stop Worrying about “Good Worship”
Reinvention #2: From Enabler of the Family … to CEO of the Church
Immerse in the Mission Field Stop Administrative Meetings
Multiple Small Groups Stop Doing It Yourself
Build and Model Trust Stop Worrying About Losing People
Reinvention #3: From CEO of the Church … to Empowerer of Disciples
Get a Spiritual Life Stop Micro-Managing
Redeploy Staff Stop Questing for Quality
Decentralize Stop Worrying about Gaps
It is the third reinvention that seems counter-intuitive to many pastors. What worked for them in growing churches to get out of the box, actually begins to work against them as they step beyond the box.
Tom Bandy
