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February 15, 2019 6 Comments

The Most Frequent Issues Facing Pastors and Other Church Leaders – Rainer on Leadership #511

Podcast Episode #511

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We are asked for insights into different areas of church life on a consistent basis. Today, we cover the seven most frequent issues pastors come to us with.

Some highlights from today’s episode include:

  • When church leaders are looking for a resources they mostly want to know what is best, not just what is available.
  • You can’t microwave leadership development.
  • Church revitalization has gone from something that was rarely discussed five years ago; now it is at the forefront of church discussions.
  • A church will not be outwardly-focused if the pastor is not outwardly-focused.

The seven issues we discuss are:

  1. Where to go for answers and resources
  2. How to deal with business and leadership issues
  3. Dealing with critics
  4. Understanding how to revitalize a church
  5. Knowing how/when to begin at a church or exit a church
  6. Dealing with staff issues
  7. Leading a church to become outwardly focused

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast

  • Preferred Providers
  • RevitalizeNetwork.org
  • Advice to Young Pastors
  • Five Hour Challenge

Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network


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 Becoming a Welcoming Church.

Related

Comments

  1. Steve Allen says

    February 15, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    Have you been reading my diary?

    Reply
    • Thom Rainer says

      February 15, 2019 at 1:25 pm

      Yes. I’ll return it shortly.

      Reply
  2. Stan Scroggins says

    February 15, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Thom, do you have articles and interest that would help staff members in particular. Their problems are not always brought on by themselves.

    Reply
  3. David G Troublefield, PhD says

    February 16, 2019 at 4:48 am

    The research: (Problem x Solv x Ing) > Resistance = Change.

    Leadership is the “Solv” part–but it is only one of three factors required for change (e.g., revitalization) actually to occur. With apologies to those–some very well-known–who regularly state otherwise, everything in an organization does not either rise or fall on leadership alone, because it cannot. Teach the development of management (Problem) and administration (Ing) skills and knowlege too in order for Resistance to be overcome by the combined efforts of the three and for change (i.e., a self-sustaining new condition) to happen. This is change management in social systems like churches, LifeWays, hospitals and businesses, families, nations, etc. (My PhD studies/dissertation :-} ). Good stuff!

    Reply
  4. Ron says

    March 20, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    I wonder if someone could possibly help me with a concern I have with my Pastor…?

    We love our Pastor dearly, and we believe he is a wonderful Pastor in the ministry portion of the Church. However, after a 10 year assessment, we have concluded that he just does not have the ability for the administrative portion of the work. Years of ‘planning meetings’ last SECOND phone calls to pick something or someone up for an event.

    Worse, is the complete inability or unwillingness to delegate to those with the ability and skills to do the jobs in the Church efficiently and in the most cost effective manor. I.e.- purchasing technology related items, etc. are based on things he finds on sale disregarding recommendations from those with expertise in those areas. People have also attempted to assist in the Church finances; quarterly reporting, budgets, etc. and were ultimately asked to stop. Leaving us with no account details or budgeting of any kind.

    He has to be one of the hardest working Pastors in the ministry, but I just feel that he is paddling against the current. Getting nowhere. I love our Church family, our Pastor his family. I only want what brings glory to God, and I think we could/should be doing so much more.

    This isn’t something I am simply complaining about. I do plan on talking with him. I don’t believe it warrants a Church discipline approach so I am not taking another member with me, other than my wife. I don’t want him to feel as though I am beating him up over it, and want him to know any critique is out of love. Also, I never present a problem without recommending a solution, so I plan on recommending we pray about adding an Assistant Pastor. Someone he will be willing to cede authority to on administrative type duties. He won’t like it because he is a ‘two heads is a monster’ guy but I hope to convince him to take the recommendation seriously as he could retain authority but would beg him to NOT use it as he just isn’t seeing things correctly on admin stuff. As a second possibility I thought I would suggest we (the Church) could send him to some classes. I will have to look some up ahead of time, otherwise it is a little to abstract.

    Anyway, Bible verses, other solution suggestions, etc. are much appreciated if anyone has a thought.

    THANK YOU ALL and God Bless

    Reply
  5. Ron says

    March 20, 2019 at 4:30 pm

    By the way, the ‘we’ I am referring to is myself and my wife. I have not discussed these things with anyone in the Church. I am not looking to cause any division.

    Reply

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