Podcast Episode #565
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Change in a church does not happen overnight. Leading a group of people to change takes time. Today we look at six reasons why longevity is so critical to change.
Some highlights from today’s episode include:
- It often takes around five years to become the pastor in the hearts of church members.
- Those who you think are your biggest supporters early in a pastorate too often turn into some of your biggest critics later on.
- The longer you pastor a church, the more people will become aligned with the vision you cast for the church.
- What sometimes seems like an impossible large change is often just a series of doable small changes.
The six reasons we discuss are:
- Trust is built over time.
- You know your congregation better.
- You know your community better.
- Many of the roadblocks have left.
- The 3 to 5 year vision is critical for change.
- You have built a guiding coalition.
Resources mentioned in today’s podcast
- Church Answers
- Revitalize2020.com
- Six Reasons Pastors Must Become Change Leaders – Rainer on Leadership #564
- Seven Reasons a Guiding Coalition Is Vital in Church Revitalization – Revitalize & Replant #107
Episode Sponsors
The mission at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. The school offers more than 40 different degree programs, including the new Master of Arts in Church Revitalization in partnership with Church Answers and the Revitalization Network. This 37-hour degree is designed to help students move established churches from flatlining to flourishing.
Learn about this program and more by visiting sebts.edu. Where are you going? Southeastern will help you get there.
Vanderbloemen has 12 Vanderbloemen Differences that allow them to serve their clients better than anyone else. One of those is Theology Matters. Vanderbloemen’s staff has more seminary and theological experience than any other search firm with 250+ collective years of church leadership experience.
To learn more about all 12 of Vanderbloemen’s Differences, visit VanderDifference.com.
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.
What suggestions/helps do you have to be able to endure: situations involving the current leadership, their lack of support, or demanding things be done their way.
Many revitalization situation can not afford for the pastor to become “the Pastor” in 5 years. Yet, those who have long held control oppose any ideas for doing things differently. Thoughts?
Tony –
If a church truly does not have five years for the pastor to become the accepted leader, it likely has two options: replanting by another church or closure.
Tony,
I understand your pain so to speak. I have been the pastor of a church in need of revitalization for about a year. I am also bi-vocational, which really makes it difficult. Everyone loved the old Pastor. But we were in a steep decline. In about 3 years we went from about 150 to about 40. Our Pastor had unofficially about 5 years before he actually retired. There were two other volunteer “associate pastors” besides myself. Most of the congregation wanted one of those two to step up, but they did not. One left, one basically disengaged. Since I took over we had some folks leave, we are about 30 people, but we have had 3 baptisms and a couple of new members this first year. I know it sounds hard, but the pastor needs to be the pastor and make hard decisions / changes for the life of the church. For me that has not been easy, but for each decision and change, I explained the why to the congregation. And reminded them that we exist to “make disciples of Jesus Christ who will make disciples of Jesus Christ. While some have not agreed with the decisions or changes, they cannot argue with the Word of God. If your are the pastor or leader, may you be blessed abundantly. Just know that you are not alone in this.