Podcast Episode #162
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A recent post on signs that you are leading or pastoring in maintenance mode. In our next episode we will discuss ways to overcome this.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- The church is not only built for those who are there but for those who are not there as well.
- One of the primary roles of a pastor is to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
- Mentoring is a great form of equipping.
- Pastoral care should be done throughout the congregation.
- If you are too caught up in maintenance mode in your church, you’ll end up neglecting your family.
- A lack of joy is a lead indicator that you are pastoring in maintenance mode.
The tens signs you’re leading in maintenance mode are:
- The pastor is not equipping others.
- Pastoral care of members is increasing.
- The pastor does not take time to connect with non-members and non-Christians.
- The pastor deals with members’ complaints at an increasing rate.
- The pastor worries more about the next phone call, conversation, or email.
- The pastor experiences greater family interference time.
- The pastor is reticent to take vacation time or days off.
- The pastor is reticent to take new initiatives.
- The pastor has no vision for the future.
- The pastor has lost the joy of ministry.
Episode Sponsors
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Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com. If we use your question, you’ll receive a free copy of I Will.
I am not sure what you mean by “Pastoral care of members is increasing.”
Mark –
It means you are spending increasing levels of time with members on even minor ministry needs. One example from a pastor recently: his members expect a visit from him if they are at home with a cold.
OK, because many people in churches have never seen real pastoral care.
I thought it would read decreasing instead of increasing. But after the explanation I am getting that same thought process from my congregants, expecting things that I should do instead of them doing it.
I am 6 months into my second pastorate, first that is full time. Your blog has given me an excellent starting trajectory with FBC. I will be using this post specifically with the elder team. Thank you for making our job a bit easier.
Thank you for your encouragement, Todd.
“The pastor is not equipping others.” Can the pastor teach the faith not just doctrine? I sometimes wondered if they could.
“The pastor does not take time to connect with non-members and non-Christians.” To this I add second-class Christians.