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Having someone walking along with you in ministry is important. Today we discuss how a coach can specifically help you as you look to lead a revitalization.
Episode Highlights:
- Outside perspective helps you see your ministry impact from a different vantage point.
- It’s important for you to have someone in your life who has been through more than you to help you process decisions.
- If you’re coaching someone in ministry, your number one job is to encourage them.
- Too many pastors are starving for encouragement.
The eight reasons we cover are:
- For an outsider perspective
- For wisdom and counsel
- For encouragement
- For venting
- For resources
- For a break and breather
- For the family
- For dealing with the complexity of culture
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
- ChurchAnswers.com
- ChurchReplanters.com
- Replanter Assessment
- Find more resources at the Revitalize & Replant page at ThomRainer.com
Revitalize & Replant is sponsored by the North American Mission Board and ChurchReplanters.com. More than 10% of churches in North America are at risk of closing and the North American Mission Board is committed to reversing this trend by decreasing the death rate of existing churches while simultaneously increasing the birth rate of new churches. To learn more about what it means to become a replanting pastor or to explore resources for replanting and revitalization in your own church, visit ChurchReplanters.com.
Submit Your Question:
Do you have a question about church revitalization or replanting for us to use on the podcast? Visit the podcast page to submit your question. If we use it on the show, you’ll get a copy of Autopsy of a Deceased Church and Reclaiming Glory.
Mr. Rainer first let me say that I enjoy your books for much. I very much stand in need of encouragement and council today. You see I Pastor a small church in WV and this is my third pastorate. I have a master’s degree from seminary and truly love working for the Lord, but sometime the stress is overbearing. The last church I pastored were resistant to change and that church is now quickly facing away. I have been at the church I currently pastor for almost a year. We have experienced growth and revitalization. Some due to the fact that we have a better music platform, we stream our services, nursing home ministry, and a new youth program. All of this and just last night several people were complaining. They do not see streaming viewers as growth. My wife and I have brought in several family members to the church. The problem they see is the way we have restructured the service times, which I believe works. The old service times were not working. The only growth is on Sunday morning. So what we did under my leadership was turn Wed. Night prayer meeting and Bible study into Youth night and it works. More people than ever before are volunteering and working toward building up the church through youth. Also the other change was we moved prayer meeting and Bible study to Sunday nights, and when we have the nursing home ministry on the second Sunday of the month we have no evening meeting. If you have any words of encouragement for me I would really appreciate it. The head deacon of the church now thinks that we need to reevaluate what we are doing before giving it a chance. I am so discouraged. This has been alot of hard work and remind you that I am only a part time pastor. I work full time at a funeral home. I do not understand why people are so blind that they can’t see God at work in their midst. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Look at how Family Sustems impacts your church. The emotional attachment is stronger than reason or reality. The two or three leading families are losing their power.
They don’t like change. They are emotionally attached to the programs and institutions of the past. Don’t allow the stress to cause a few to start taking sides, dividing the church. “Love your enemies, do good to those who disagree, hate your programs, love and help their children and grandchildren. Let them defend you and the youth programs.
Love all of them, stay connected to all of them. Practice what Paul taught in 1 Cor. 13. Patience, kind, gentle and understanding of the older leadership is vital. They are like sheep, you can lead them but not drive them.
“You can lead a horse to water but you can’ t make him drink.”! Feed him salt make him want to drink! I am an 84 teal old pastor. Love the Lord! Love people and love to preach. Just be faithful, preach and practice the Great commandment. Love wins!
Bobby Shipp
I have been a pastor for 39 years and realize that I always need coaching for just the reasons you mention. We are not meant to do this alone and under our own power. I need outside eyes and ears I trust to help me see both my situation and how God might be calling me to lead. I thank God for my trusted coach Alan.
I agree; until they can practice independently the preaching, leading, and pastoral care-ing required by them, senior pastors of revitaling congregations (and revitalized congregants) need the guided practice that experienced and caring coaches can provide. The “Go get ’em, brother!” and “Praying for you, man” messages coaches can continue to share also are important.
The greatest tip you gave was about doing something that wasn’t “church related.” There is something amazing and refreshing when we learn to just fellowship. I was blessed when a beloved man of the church just called and said let’s go eat some bbq together. He didn’t invite me to go for any other reason than to go eat good bbq. It was what I needed, because it got me to drop my worries for a moment and savor a great time of dining out. We often want some big cure all, when all we really need is fellowship.