Podcast Episode #526
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Taking risks is part of leadership. Today we discuss a few risks taken during my ministry and how some worked and how some didn’t.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- Even if an idea is good, if it’s an unfamiliar idea to a church it may not gain support because “we’ve never done it that way before.”
- When the newness of something wears off, the challenge of “making it work” begins.
- Don’t just fill staff vacancies like they’ve always been filled. Staff to the current and future needs of the church when an opening comes.
- Sometimes risks are steps of faith. Sometimes they are acts of stupidity.
The six risks we discuss are:
- Hiring a staff pastor without the funds
- Attempting to buy an entire church facility from another church.
- Going multi-site before multi-site was cool.
- Having a combination meal and worship service.
- Hiring a staff member with dual responsibilities of groups and evangelism.
- Getting a new Christian to lead the welcome ministry.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
Rainer on Leadership is a member of the LifeWay Leadership Podcast Network
Episode Sponsors
Vanderbloemen Search Group is the premier pastor search firm dedicated to helping churches and ministries build great teams. They’ve helped thousands of churches just like yours find their church staff and are uniquely geared to help you discern who God is calling to lead your church.
For more information, visit WeStaffTheChurch.com.
Today’s episode is sponsored by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Be sure to check out Midwestern’s Doctorate of Ministry Degree. The D.Min. is an advanced degree preparing students for leadership in local churches and denominational service. It is also fully attainable in hybrid format which means you don’t have to move to pursue the degree.
Find out more at mbts.edu/dmin.
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 Scrappy Church.
HI:
I am a bi-vocational pastor of a small urban church in Cleveland, Ohio. I really need help with handling church and work, church growth, community outreach, discipleship, and biblical training. I have listened to a few podcasts and really like what I hear. However, I don’t know how to or where to start with “turning our church around”. Can you show me what resources would work best for me?
John –
We have tons of free resources. I would suggest you go to ThomRainer.com and click on these two tabs: Blog, Podcasts. You can scroll through thousands of resources to address your specific issues. We do have many resources you can buy (Resources tab), but you might want to check the free material before spending money.
I’m a guy that does new things. I’m doing the biggest new thing I have ever tried. Like most new things it seemed so exciting in the beginning but the newness has worn off. Your word, “When the newness of an idea wears off the challenge of ‘making it work’ begins”, could not have been more timely. Thank you!!
Thom, thank you for all you do for us in ministry. I do not comment that often, but I wanted you to know your wisdom and wealth of experience has guided me well through our merger and replant. It hasn’t been easy (still not), but thanks to you I was not surprised by the certain responses we received in our efforts to “change” a traditional and dying church to one that is vibrant and reflects the community we’re in. God has really used you as an encouragement, even when I was about to throw in the towel. Just wanted to say thank you and offer you a little encouragement today.
Your words are incredibly encouraging to me, Michael. Thank you. And thank you for your faithfulness. It is my honor to serve servants like you.
I was called to 3 different churches as Minister of Music & Youth. Dual roles filled by one person will work, but one of the ministries will take 2nd place with the person filling that role. In my case it was the Youth that took a back seat to the music. I had no training as a youth minister, but I had much training in the music field. Also I felt much more at ease in the music part than in the Youth part. Finally after almost 15 years of trying to do both, I asked to be relieved of the Youth responsibilities and concentrate on the Music. Also I asked for my position to become a bivocational position rather than a full time one.
Thom, after seeing you lead up close, I want to thank you for your investment in us as pastors. Your common sense approach never demeans pastors, and you seem to desire to help regardless of the season of ministry one may be in.
Thank you, my friend.