There is a shift of mindset – a mindshift, if you will – going on today when it comes to how pastors view their role and their congregations. In the past most pastors looked for volunteers who they could convince to fill some committee or ministry slot in the church. The result is that 80% of the people did 20% of the work. The pastor viewed these people as volunteers who had to be treated with kid gloves because they were donating their time. They also viewed the volunteers as followers instead of potential new leaders. So it was only natural for pastors to wake up in the morning with a long to-do list and asking, “What must I do today to be effective?”
Over the past decade or two all of that has changed. Pastors are actually beginning to read the Bible from a New Testament viewpoint, and that is changing everything.
Today, pastors see themselves as scouts and coaches more than pastors who care for people. They seek to match people to a ministry in or outside the church. They see everyone as missionaries and potential leaders. Instead of a to-do list, they have a “to-be” list of servants they are coaching to be future leaders. They hold these servants to the same standard as leaders as if they were paid. The only difference is the amount of time they are asked to invest. They wake up wondering who God will send their way to equip.
Instead of trying to fill slots within the church, they develop some kind of farm system where they systematically raise up new leaders. The result is the 80% of the people are involved in ministry.
The shift looks something like this:
The Past Today
80% do 20% of the work Every person a missionary
Fill slots in church Match people to a ministry anywhere
Leaders and followers Everyone can be a leader
Hire from without Hire from within
Volunteers Servants
To-do list To-be list
What must I do today Who will I equip today
Fill committees Farm system
Pastor Scout and Coach
Over the past decade more and more of our ministry at 21st Century Strategies has shifted toward coaching leaders to make the mindshifts needed to navigate the 21st century.
Question: Which side of the picture best represents your church and what changes might you need to make in order to be faithful and fruitful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
Mobilization Mindshift
There is a shift of mindset – a mindshift, if you will – going on today when it comes to how pastors view their role and their congregations. In the past most pastors looked for volunteers who they could convince to fill some committee or ministry slot in the church. The result is that 80% of the people did 20% of the work. The pastor viewed these people as volunteers who had to be treated with kid gloves because they were donating their time. They also viewed the volunteers as followers instead of potential new leaders. So it was only natural for pastors to wake up in the morning with a long to-do list and asking, “What must I do today to be effective?”
Over the past decade or two all of that has changed. Pastors are actually beginning to read the Bible from a New Testament viewpoint, and that is changing everything.
Today, pastors see themselves as scouts and coaches more than pastors who care for people. They seek to match people to a ministry in or outside the church. They see everyone as missionaries and potential leaders. Instead of a to-do list, they have a “to-be” list of servants they are coaching to be future leaders. They hold these servants to the same standard as leaders as if they were paid. The only difference is the amount of time they are asked to invest. They wake up wondering who God will send their way to equip.
Instead of trying to fill slots within the church, they develop some kind of farm system where they systematically raise up new leaders. The result is the 80% of the people are involved in ministry.
The shift looks something like this:
The Past Today
Over the past decade more and more of our ministry at 21st Century Strategies has shifted toward coaching leaders to make the mindshifts needed to navigate the 21st century.
Question: Which side of the picture best represents your church and what changes might you need to make in order to be faithful and fruitful? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
You Might Also Like:
Bill Easum
www.churchconsultations.com
www.billeasum.com
Recent Posts
Common Member Retention Challenges + How to Solve Them
November 20, 20245 Biblical Lessons Your Children’s Ministry Should Focus On
November 14, 2024Invite People Into Solutions – Not to Church: 4 Tips to Success
November 9, 2024Categories
Meta
Categories