With this blog I conclude the series recognizing Pastor Appreciation month.
As a Leadership Coach with the Jethro Group, I work with Pastors and churches. I assist with Vision Discovery, recruiting, organizational development, mentoring, writing and a lot of coaching. However, in terms of priorities or return on investment these pale in comparison to my most important role of praying for and supporting our Ministry Leaders.
Your church strives to demonstrate God’s love. You have willing volunteers, your influence is positive, you provide encouragement, community service and you may sit on property with significant value. History is on your side, experience is positive and your growth potential is awesome. Your church is also highly complex and diverse. When your systems are focused and finely tuned to God’s vision, you can grow for a lifetime.
Let me refer you to the old German proverb quoted in Leading Turnaround Churches by Gene Wood, “the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” The Annual Goals, the Ministry plan, the dreams, hopes, vision statement and the hours debating the culture of your church become less than significant. The hours of committee meetings, the constitution review and the new policy development manual become less important. You have kept the main thing, the main thing because the main thing is the result, catching fish. In our world, the main thing is winning that person to Christ.
Your church demonstrates your love for God and His bride (the church) by how you care for and support your Ministry Staff. Paul encourages us to, “esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake” (1 Thessalonians 5:13 NKJV).
Imagine the impact on your community, your city and our world if all our churches were healthy. What can your church do to improve the long term health of your Pastoral staff? The ideas are limitless. Be creative, but start with prayer and encouragement.
Leadership is, demonstrating God’s love to your community by caring and praying for your Ministry staff thereby working to improve the overall health of your church.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group