Wednesday, April 25, 2018
4 Traps for Clergy When Moving to a New CongregationBill Wilson of the Center for Healthy Churches says that the arrival of a new minister can be a marvelous opportunity to start anew for both the minister and the congregation -- but only if the pastor steers clear of four common traps that can derail the new relationship.
In a recent conversation, a minister asked me what I thought were the major traps that most often snared ministers when they moved to a new congregation. Great question! Healthy churches and ministers pay attention to potential trouble spots and act in a proactive way to avoid getting derailed early in the new relationship. Several traps come to mind:The humility that comes when we acknowledge that we are all earthen vessels and deeply flawed is a great place to begin a relationship between minister and congregation.
1. The trap of expectations
A new minister coming into a congregation is a wonderful season of new beginnings and possibilities. People await a new pastor with great expectations. Often those expectations are exaggerated and grandiose. The new pastor is seen as the one who will reverse decades of decline, inspire apathetic congregants, make everyone happy at all times, and never disappoint. Sometimes the grandiosity is in the mind of the new minister. She or he thinks this church is everything the last church was not. The grass looks so green on this side of the fence! Personal foibles and bad habits are overlooked in the infatuation with a new opportunity.
Unrealistic expectations, wherever they originate, are a setup. They lead us away from God’s design for us and His church. And they trap us in impossible situations. A new minister will never succeed as the Messiah, and the congregation will soon expose its cracks and fissures, reminding everyone that it really isn’t heaven on earth. Talking about this and anticipating the inevitable disappointments is an essential component of a healthy relationship between minister and congregation. The humility that comes when we acknowledge that we are all earthen vessels and deeply flawed is a great place to begin a relationship between minister and congregation.
2. The trap of agendas
The arrival of a new minister invites the congregation to imagine new possibilities. That is a wonderful and divine part of the opportunity. However, it is helpful to remember that all of us have agendas. Some are overt, some quite covert. Simply put, some people will see the coming of a new minister as an opportunity to advance a cause or seek a role that has been thwarted previously. The arrival of a new clergyperson is a new day that will bring frustrated congregants out of the woodwork. Others will assume they will have the same intimacy or insider status that they had with the previous person. Some will have been deeply disappointed by the previous minister and will see someone new with frosty indifference.
It is important to be aware. Avoid the trap of believing everything you hear. From search committee members to the most detached congregants, personal agendas abound. Watch with a degree of prayerful detachment those around you. Get up on a mental balcony in every meeting and during every conversation and ask what is really going on. Constantly ask: Why this? Why now? The coming of a new pastor evokes a wide range of personal responses that it is wise to take notice of in those early encounters.
3. The trap of talking
Since clergy are seemingly paid to speak, the usual pattern is that they do — profusely, often, and repeatedly. Watch out for the trap of verbosity. The entry into a new congregation calls for a season of diagnostic rather than prescriptive conversations. If your medical doctor walked into the exam room and immediately began a monologue about your health without ever asking for input from you, I hope you would jump up and leave the room. I’d offer the same counsel to a congregation and its minister. In the early days, keep your ears wide open, your eyes wide open, and your heart wide open. There will be a time to speak the truth you bring to the situation, but initially talking should consist of words of invitation to others. Ask many, many questions, especially around the themes of heritage and hopes.
4. The trap of silence
To be blunt, after 100 days on the job, a new minister had better have something to say. There are those who counsel a full year of observation before making any move toward active leadership. But the pace of our culture dictates a new reality. There is a shorter learning curve, so silence can be a trap for a new leader, should it go too long. It will be misinterpreted as a lack of leadership ability. The first 100 days offer a never-to-be-repeated opportunity for a new minister to define himself or herself and establish some trajectories for ministry. Pay attention to this time with careful and prayerful thought. In our coaching of new pastors, we encourage breaking down the first 100 days into ten 10-day blocks of time and becoming exceptionally deliberate about the proactive use of those days. These are days to emphasize relationships over tasks, so plan your time accordingly.
After 100 days, a new minister should emerge from a time of study and observation with clear and compelling observations. The people need to hear from you. The rest of the first year will be a time to begin an extended congregational conversation that will shape the church’s agenda for the near future. Use those days to engage around “what if” questions. Invite dreaming about God and about possibilities. You should share what matters to you, what you love about your new church, and your generous vision of the future so that you can invite others to join in creating that vision and making it a reality. Speak up!
Beware the traps and enjoy the ride. It really is a marvelous opportunity to start anew.
This article is reprinted from the newsletter of the Center for Healthy Churches. Used by permission.
Related Resources
- The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting Video Tool Kit
- “50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor,” a free resource from the Lewis Center
- 4 Key Challenges in Pastoral Transitions by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Stewardship in Times of TransitionAngela Denker describes how stewardship and giving can be difficult in times of pastoral transition in churches. She says it is critical that stewardship be rooted in faith and in God's mission, not in the individual pastor's particular vision.
Transitions are hard. Change is hard. Transitions are often especially hard in the church. Not long ago, I left a beloved call as my family and I followed my husband’s call to a new job in a different state, closer to our families. As my final sermon and Sunday morning approached, I found myself thinking about stewardship — especially at this time of transition in the church.In times of transition, mission and vision can become unclear, especially if they rely too much on individual personalities. If a church’s mission is tied to a particular pastor, the mission flounders when the pastor leaves.
Clarity of vision and mission
Helping people to grow in their giving relies upon a clear sense of vision and mission. Just as Jesus encouraged the disciples with a clear task at the Great Commission, we as modern-day disciples and church leaders often attempt to encourage giving by reminding people of our mission.
In times of transition, mission and vision can become unclear, especially if they rely too much on individual personalities or business-oriented strategic plans. If a church’s mission is tied to a particular pastor, the mission flounders when the pastor leaves. If people give because of their allegiance to a particular ministry or a particular person, giving is rooted in personality rather than faith in Jesus.
As pastors come and go, ministries change, attendance rises and falls. So how do we sustain stewardship and giving in times of transition in the church?Stewardship rooted in faith
The key is rooting stewardship in faith in Jesus and in God’s mission, rather than the church or a pastor’s individualized mission. To make this work, people must see the local church as an arm of God’s larger mission in the world. Leaders must connect giving through regular offering, or “general fund,” to the lifesaving and redeeming work of Jesus Christ. We must explain that while the general offering may pay the electric bill, the electricity at church enables us to hold weekly worship, or host families experiencing homelessness overnight.
The church’s mission is bigger than one individual
We must remember to make the church’s mission independent of ourselves as individuals, making it easy to hand off to the next leaders of the church. We must enable ourselves and others to see multiple ways of achieving that mission, regardless of specific leaders or programs.
The heart of stewardship lies in this truth: none of us is individually the mission. Jesus is the mission of the church. We each are merely tools God uses to achieve that mission, and one of our most important tasks is to know how to hand off the mission to the next leader.
In times of transition, to enable steady giving and stewardship in the church, leaders must focus on the future. As I prepare for my own transition and grieve leaving my church, I am reminded of this verse: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Hope in the future
Notice that the Lord says plans not a plan. God will use many people and many tactics to complete the mission of the church: to save lives and set people free through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many leaders will be a part of that mission. They all rely on those who come before and after.
What we all must cling to in times of transition is God’s incredible promise: a future with hope. It is that future to which leaders must point again and again, reminding people of God’s ongoing mission even in the midst of change and transition at the local church.
This article originally appeared in the newsletter of the Center for Stewardship Leaders at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. Used by permission.
Related Resources
- The Right Start: Beginning Ministry in a New Setting Video Tool Kit
- “50 Ways to Encourage Faithful Giving,” a free resource from the Lewis Center
- Pastoral Transitions — Leaving Well by Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Read more.
The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.
Leaders are often tempted to think about what they might do in some future position. Some high-potential leaders struggle rather than grow because they fail to invest fully in the work they are doing right now. This is part of the "talent curse" described by Jennifer and Gianpiero Petriglieri who offer this right question:
The Right Question
Leaders do not need answers. Leaders must have the right questions.
Leaders are often tempted to think about what they might do in some future position. Some high-potential leaders struggle rather than grow because they fail to invest fully in the work they are doing right now. This is part of the "talent curse" described by Jennifer and Gianpiero Petriglieri who offer this right question:
- What if my current work is not a stepping-stone, but a destination?
Pastors Moving to New Churches Need the Right StartAre you a pastor preparing to begin ministry in a new setting? With The Right Start Video Tool Kit, you'll learn how to end your current ministry well, develop a personal transition plan, and make the most of your first days, weeks, and months in your new congregation. The Right Start is available in both Pastor's and Group Training Versions.
Learn more and watch a video preview.
Giving Up to Our Potential
It's often said that Christians are the most generous people. Unfortunately, it turns out this claim is not entirely true. Even though Christians are more generous than non-religious Americans, that's not much to brag about. The vast majority of Christians are not giving up to their potential or in proportion to what their faith teaches. Read "To the Point: Giving Up to Our Potential."
It’s often said that Christians are the most generous people. Unfortunately, it turns out this claim is not entirely true. Even though Christians are more generous than non-religious Americans, that is not much about which to brag. The vast majority of Christians are not giving up to their potential or in proportion to what their faith teaches.
Passing the Plate (Oxford University Press, 2008) by sociologists Christian Smith and Michael Emerson and researcher Patricia Snell reveals some unfortunate truths about the giving patterns of American Christians. Twenty percent give nothing to church or other charities. The vast majority give very little. Congregations manage to stay afloat only because of the generosity of a very small percentage who account for about sixty percent of total giving — and because churches spend the lion’s share of what is given on their internal needs. Moreover, more affluent church members generally give a lesser percentage of income than those of more modest means. The book attempts to provide a sociological explanation for why American Christians are so stingy, despite massive gains in real per capita income over the past century.
Reality and perception
The authors of this study conclude that this poor giving cannot be attributed to a lack of adequate financial resources. People who collectively spend not just billions but trillions of dollars on discretionary items and luxury goods each year cannot objectively claim that they do not have enough money to give. But, they conclude, “their subjective perceptions of financial constraint appear to be an important factor limiting their giving money more liberally.” Even upper middle class Americans tend to think they are just getting by when they are, in fact, quite affluent by any objective standard. Most Christians have the financial capacity to give much more, but only by adjusting their financial priorities and perceptions.
A conspiracy of silence
Another factor stifling generosity is the conspiracy of silence around money and giving in the church and society in general. In American culture, matters of personal and family finances are highly privatized. Few people feel comfortable discussing their income or financial situation with colleagues, friends, family members, sometimes even their own spouses — much less at church or with their pastor. Pastors, too, tend to be quite uncomfortable dealing with issues of money and giving. Many are so anxious about appearing to talk about money too much that they avoid it altogether.
As a consequence, many church members are confused about how to apply the teaching of their faith to their personal resources. Their intentions are often good, but they are not given clear expectations or a consistent framework for their giving. The result is haphazard and occasional giving that fails to live up to normative teachings on stewardship. These authors suggest communicating expectations about religious giving more clearly, teaching the theology of giving more confidently, building trust through improved financial systems and more effective communications, and providing a variety of well-structured and regular means of giving.
“Pay the bills” or “live the vision”
Congregational culture is also a determinate of giving. The book contrasts two types of churches: “pay the bills” churches that are preoccupied with institutional needs and view giving through the lens of obligation, and “live the vision” churches that focus on God’s vision for their church. They see giving as an important aspect of the Christian life and concentrate on nurturing faith, building relationships, and serving mission. For them, increased giving goes with spiritual growth. Although cultural transformation is neither quick nor easy, moving toward a “live the vision” mentality encourages faithful giving.
No small matter
The authors preface their work with the bold claim that “if American Christians were to give from their income generously — not lavishly, mind you, only generously — they could transform the world, starting right away.… They could generate, over and above what they currently give, a total of another $133.4 billion a year.” This provocative claim is also the most hopeful — not just a rallying cry but a Kingdom mandate for us to give up to our potential.
Dr. Ann A. Michel is associate director of the Lewis Center and lecturer in church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary where she teaches stewardship classes.
Download a PDF of this page to share with others.
Read now and download free.
Quotable Leadership:
We cannot predict the future. But we can create it. (Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen)
It's often said that Christians are the most generous people. Unfortunately, it turns out this claim is not entirely true. Even though Christians are more generous than non-religious Americans, that's not much to brag about. The vast majority of Christians are not giving up to their potential or in proportion to what their faith teaches. Read "To the Point: Giving Up to Our Potential."
It’s often said that Christians are the most generous people. Unfortunately, it turns out this claim is not entirely true. Even though Christians are more generous than non-religious Americans, that is not much about which to brag. The vast majority of Christians are not giving up to their potential or in proportion to what their faith teaches.
Passing the Plate (Oxford University Press, 2008) by sociologists Christian Smith and Michael Emerson and researcher Patricia Snell reveals some unfortunate truths about the giving patterns of American Christians. Twenty percent give nothing to church or other charities. The vast majority give very little. Congregations manage to stay afloat only because of the generosity of a very small percentage who account for about sixty percent of total giving — and because churches spend the lion’s share of what is given on their internal needs. Moreover, more affluent church members generally give a lesser percentage of income than those of more modest means. The book attempts to provide a sociological explanation for why American Christians are so stingy, despite massive gains in real per capita income over the past century.
Reality and perception
The authors of this study conclude that this poor giving cannot be attributed to a lack of adequate financial resources. People who collectively spend not just billions but trillions of dollars on discretionary items and luxury goods each year cannot objectively claim that they do not have enough money to give. But, they conclude, “their subjective perceptions of financial constraint appear to be an important factor limiting their giving money more liberally.” Even upper middle class Americans tend to think they are just getting by when they are, in fact, quite affluent by any objective standard. Most Christians have the financial capacity to give much more, but only by adjusting their financial priorities and perceptions.
A conspiracy of silence
Another factor stifling generosity is the conspiracy of silence around money and giving in the church and society in general. In American culture, matters of personal and family finances are highly privatized. Few people feel comfortable discussing their income or financial situation with colleagues, friends, family members, sometimes even their own spouses — much less at church or with their pastor. Pastors, too, tend to be quite uncomfortable dealing with issues of money and giving. Many are so anxious about appearing to talk about money too much that they avoid it altogether.
As a consequence, many church members are confused about how to apply the teaching of their faith to their personal resources. Their intentions are often good, but they are not given clear expectations or a consistent framework for their giving. The result is haphazard and occasional giving that fails to live up to normative teachings on stewardship. These authors suggest communicating expectations about religious giving more clearly, teaching the theology of giving more confidently, building trust through improved financial systems and more effective communications, and providing a variety of well-structured and regular means of giving.
“Pay the bills” or “live the vision”
Congregational culture is also a determinate of giving. The book contrasts two types of churches: “pay the bills” churches that are preoccupied with institutional needs and view giving through the lens of obligation, and “live the vision” churches that focus on God’s vision for their church. They see giving as an important aspect of the Christian life and concentrate on nurturing faith, building relationships, and serving mission. For them, increased giving goes with spiritual growth. Although cultural transformation is neither quick nor easy, moving toward a “live the vision” mentality encourages faithful giving.
No small matter
The authors preface their work with the bold claim that “if American Christians were to give from their income generously — not lavishly, mind you, only generously — they could transform the world, starting right away.… They could generate, over and above what they currently give, a total of another $133.4 billion a year.” This provocative claim is also the most hopeful — not just a rallying cry but a Kingdom mandate for us to give up to our potential.
Dr. Ann A. Michel is associate director of the Lewis Center and lecturer in church leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary where she teaches stewardship classes.
Download a PDF of this page to share with others.Read now and download free.
Quotable Leadership:
We cannot predict the future. But we can create it. (Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen)
Free Video: The New Realities of Engaging NewcomersThis five-minute video by Lovett H. Weems, Jr., provides an overview of how new people are coming into church communities in different ways than previously, what it means for your congregation, and what you can do to engage these newcomers today.
Watch now.
Adult Education Study: "Journey through the Psalms"Take an in-depth look at the book of Psalms. Through study of the Word and insights gained through the arts, this course invites us to approach God with the same honesty and intensity as the ancient Psalmists. Journey through the Psalms is ideal for your congregation's small groups, adult Bible studies, and Sunday School classes. The study includes eight sessions with video introductions, Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide, and more.Learn more and order now.
Editor: Dr. Ann A. Michel
Copyright © 2004-2018 Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
Connect with the Lewis Center:
Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Wesley Theological Seminary
No comments:
Post a Comment