Transforming Church

Many discouraged leaders, who finally succumb to either hiding or denying, end up consciously or subconsciously beating up on themselves. This tragedy is not part of God’s plan. All of us need to learn there are more options than just being battered or committing professional suicide. Hopefully these options can be found “Between Paying Attention and Beating Yourself Up.”

When people enter a swimming pool there are those few who do not first check the water temperature and simply jump in. Most of us, however, stick toes or a foot in first and then gradually, as we are assured it is okay, proceed to slowly walk in. Ultimately it may not be any less painful than jumping in all at once, but we at least keep our bearings and can evaluate just how to do it. Leading the church in uncharted waters is no different; the analogy plays itself all the way out.

Key in the slower approach into the water is getting the time to get used to it. If one is faithful in seeking true change and not just something different, that can be a positive experience as well. But be clear that this has possibility only when seeking true change in the critical decision regarding the church, and not just doing something different. Over the last couple of decades I have witnessed over and over pastors buying into what they thought would be easy change, often just changing a word that is used, to then have it become evident they were only doing something different and the result was muddier water than before.

A strategy is offered here for dipping toes or feet, maybe even wading up to your knees for true change. These suggestions should not get you into trouble with members, with the exception of raising the eyebrows of a raving Roberts’ Rules of Order maniac. However, and pay attention to this, you will likely cross a hurdle into trouble if you are not successful in stabilizing Step One before moving on.

Step One: Start discussions with your Council that ask them to search how qualified they believe they are to be managing the ministries of the congregation? You are not challenging their responsibility, but asking if they feel secure they are the ones in the congregation with the greatest passion for these ministries, or is it they are seated at the table more out of a sense of duty than passion to lead them? Passion is a very key affirmation by the Holy Spirit that one is gifted for particular ministry. Your discussion with the Council is predictable since the standing committee areas they may represent are too broad for most passion focus.

If it is possible that each does possess this deep passion, and they sought out this responsibility rather than were asked to take it on, no problem. “Those of you who have this passion are probably the ones who should discuss the direction of these ministries and give permission for them. However, if you are not, and are acting more out of a sense of duty, it’s no one’s fault but we probably need a new approach. This is where we are in trouble. Don’t fret about it; there are some very positive things we can look at. These ministries are too important to Christ’s mission, some of them way more important than we have made them as a congregation for years.” (The congregation is rare today that does not have numerous completely inactive standing committees. Regardless what you do to revive them, though, they are not coming back.)

If you reach a point where the Council understands the significance and importance of this, some might begin to ask, “Well, what then is our responsibility?” Help them appreciate that the Constitution and corporate law make them responsible for the administrative affairs of the congregation. This has to do with finance, salaries and benefits, and building and property. From the old list of standing committees it means finance and property are still on their plate; those two never were ministry committees. Ministry, however, should be led by those the Holy Spirit has gifted for it.

Step Two: Don’t go to step two until you feel secure (not finished) with step one. Even if you read it before, prepare yourself now by reading “The Anatomy of a Committee and a Team.” more than once, and digest it. Print multiple copies to have them available, but at this point you don’t have to engrain your leadership with it. It’s just that you will soon need to advise why acting like a committee is completely undesired and unnecessary. Keeping in mind from the team concept the importance of having a single focus, seek out those in the congregation you perceive having the greatest passion for each particular focus. This is way more varied than looking at old standing committee names.

Chances are you will find that already high passion people have taken steps to continue various ministries that were once listed in the now defunct standing committee agendas. Try to ascertain if they have similar passion people (a team) helping. If not, urge them to find two, three, four at the most, to help facilitate and discuss the ministry, but not through formal meetings. Let them know this is a new day with Council, that they already have permission as a small team to “run with it.”

They definitely need to communicate what they are doing and why, but permission to do something (unless “totally” different for the congregation) is not a step. Let them know that whoever is invited onto the team should also have passion for the task, not just be someone from whom they asked a favor. BE SURE they know they are not a committee and DO NOT need to call meetings. Don’t call anyone chairperson and no one should assume final word for their group. They just gather whenever, wherever, to discuss and refine, even as they are working on their task.

Since many committees have not met in a long time, there should be no one expecting announcements of meetings. Pastors do not need to meet with them or track them on a calendar. The goal is not to make what they are doing a secret (you sure don’t want that) but likewise avoid anyone labeling them a committee. Be open with everyone, “We do not want committees,” and if these groups listen, they won’t become one anyway.

Step Three: Become an advocate for discipleship. Whether preaching, teaching, writing, any and all communication, work hard to keep the distinctions of discipleship and membership separate from each other. Anyone who tries to import discipleship into or as part of membership (not keeping them separate) will end up compromising discipleship. DO NOT offer a Disciple Class and then talk about membership. If it’s about membership, call it what it is. With a frank assessment you will be surprised to realize that discipleship has almost totally been denied for the last five hundred years.

DO NOT in any way substitute the word disciple for member. If you do, members will live the rest of their lives still never knowing the difference. Also, never speak of disciples and then ask for volunteers. That’s both an anachronism and an oxymoron. Be patient and vigilant, at least a year or two, urging leaders to make distinctions between disciple and volunteer, and eventually you will be able to get rid of the word “volunteer;” it is a worthwhile goal. A volunteer is a part-timer who chooses in what to invest part of themselves and keep the rest for themselves. A disciple is a full-time servant belonging to Christ 24/7.

If you were to do these things, if you are persistent and diligent with them, you should not face any painful trouble from the congregation. Remember if challenged, Jesus never once asked us to be members of a church. There’s nothing wrong with being a member, but what Jesus called us to be is His disciples. In Jesus’ eyes, discipleship trumps membership. But don’t publically repeat what I am about to say or you might have a fight. Realize it is Jesus’ church and His mission; it’s not a God Club that belongs to the membership.