Ep.03 | Rock #2 - Leadership

08/01/24 • 31 min

In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant discuss the critical role of leadership in church revitalization. As the second of their "five big rocks" of revitalization (unity, leadership, team, plan, and launch), leadership is identified as the most important component for success in renewing a church's vision and direction.

The hosts begin by emphasizing the biblical pattern of God calling leaders to guide His people through significant challenges and changes. They reference Psalm 78:70-72, which describes how God chose David to shepherd Israel with integrity and skill. This passage highlights the importance of a leader's character and ability to effectively guide others.

The conversation then turns to the common tendency of churches to prioritize finding a pastor who excels in preaching and shepherding, while overlooking the critical need for strong leadership skills. The hosts stress that a pastor must be able to not only communicate well and care for the congregation but also cast a compelling vision and mobilize people to work together towards a common goal.

When searching for a new pastor, the hosts recommend that churches look for evidence of a candidate's ability to inspire and lead others in their previous roles. This could include examining how they built and empowered volunteer teams, developed strategic plans, and achieved significant goals in partnership with others. They also emphasize the importance of assessing a candidate's character, integrity, and interpersonal skills, as these qualities greatly impact a leader's effectiveness.

For pastors currently leading a church in need of revitalization, the hosts offer encouragement and practical advice. They suggest that these leaders start by prayerfully envisioning what a thriving, fruitful future could look like for their church. By writing down this "big dream" and sharing it with others, pastors can begin to gauge the level of trust and support they have within the congregation.

The hosts also urge pastors to invest in their own leadership development by seeking out mentors, learning from successful leaders in various fields, and asking for honest feedback on their leadership skills. They emphasize the importance of shifting from a mindset of "managing" people to truly leading and inspiring them towards a shared vision.

Throughout the episode, the hosts reference Todd Bolsinger's book "Canoeing the Mountains," which compares church leadership to the Lewis and Clark expedition. Just as the explorers had to adapt their approach when faced with unexpected challenges, church leaders must be prepared to guide their congregations through uncharted territory. The hosts highlight a key quote from the book: "No one is going to follow you off the map unless they trust you on the map." This underscores the importance of building trust and credibility with the congregation before attempting to lead them through significant changes.

The episode concludes with a reminder that leading a church through revitalization is a challenging journey that requires thick skin, grace, and perseverance.

Some key takeaways and scripture references from this episode include:

1. God calls and equips leaders to guide His people through challenges and changes (Psalm 78:70-72).

2. Effective church leadership requires a combination of strong preaching, shepherding, and leadership skills (Psalm 78:72).

3. When searching for a new pastor, churches should look for evidence of a candidate's ability to inspire, mobilize, and lead others towards a shared vision (Proverbs 29:18).

4. Pastors seeking to revitalize their churches should start by prayerfully envisioning a thriving future and sharing that vision with others (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

5. Investing in personal leadership development is crucial for pastors leading their churches through revita...

The episode concludes with a reminder that leading a church through revitalization is a challenging journey that requires thick skin, grace, and perseverance.

Some key takeaways and scripture references from this episode include:

1. God calls and equips leaders to guide His people through challenges and changes (Psalm 78:70-72).

2. Effective church leadership requires a combination of strong preaching, shepherding, and leadership skills (Psalm 78:72).

3. When searching for a new pastor, churches should look for evidence of a candidate's ability to inspire, mobilize, and lead others towards a shared vision (Proverbs 29:18).

4. Pastors seeking to revitalize their churches should start by prayerfully envisioning a thriving future and sharing that vision with others (Habakkuk 2:2-3).

5. Investing in personal leadership development is crucial for pastors leading their churches through revita...

Previous Episode

Ep.02 | Engines of Church Growth | Jim Brown

In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, host Bart Blair interviews Pastor Jim Brown of Grace Community Church in Goshen, Indiana. Pastor Jim shares his experiences leading the church over the past 28 years, from when he first arrived as a young pastor to a congregation of just 60 people, to the thriving multi-campus church it is today with over 2,600 attendees.

Pastor Jim reflects on the importance of maintaining a balance between ministry and family life, noting his structured lifestyle while still prioritizing time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He recounts how he first came to Grace Community Church as a student at Grace Theological Seminary, and how the small, aging congregation took a chance on him as a new pastor.

When Pastor Jim arrived, the church was in decline with an older congregation. He recognized the need to shift the church's focus towards prayer, evangelism, and reaching out to the local community. By personally engaging in the interests and activities of the community, such as becoming a NASCAR fan and coaching youth sports teams, Pastor Jim began to connect with people and lead them to Christ.

As the church grew and began to welcome new believers, Pastor Jim emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming environment for those who were far from God. He shares how he would intentionally mention and celebrate new attendees during the service, helping the congregation to embrace and accept them, even if they initially seemed out of place.

Pastor Jim also discusses his approach to preaching, always keeping in mind that there are likely people in the room who are not yet followers of Jesus. He stresses the importance of crafting sermons that speak to both the saved and the unsaved, using relatable illustrations and avoiding Christian jargon that may alienate new believers. He encourages pastors to view their churches as "greenhouses" where the gospel is shared, and to trust that God will send seekers to congregations that faithfully proclaim the truth.

Reflecting on pivotal moments in his ministry, Pastor Jim shares how he nearly resigned when the church had grown to the point where he no longer knew everyone personally. He struggled with the realization that he could not maintain the same level of relationship with each member, but ultimately felt God calling him to empower and release other leaders to help shepherd the growing flock.

Another defining moment came when Pastor Jim's wife struggled with the pain of seeing long-time church members move on to other congregations. Pastor Jim reassured her that she was his top priority and that he was willing to leave ministry if it became too much for her. This affirmation of their marriage helped them navigate the challenges of pastoral life.

Throughout the conversation, Pastor Jim emphasizes the importance of keeping the focus on Jesus and not taking things personally when people leave or reject the church. He encourages pastors to remember that the pain they feel in those moments is a small reflection of the pain God feels when people reject Him.

When asked about his own leadership development, Pastor Jim shares his love for reading and his goal of reading 50 books per year. He also stresses the importance of staying connected to the local community by reading the hometown newspaper and praying for the needs he finds there. Pastor Jim follows a variety of Christian leaders and resources to continue growing and learning.

The interview concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect with Pastor Jim and Grace Community Church online, and to learn more about their thriving men's ministry, Fight Club.

Throughout the conversation, Pastor Jim's passion for evangelism, his heart for his community, and his commitment to his family shine through. His experiences offer valuable insights and encouragement for pastors and church leaders seeking to revitalize their congregations and reach the lost with the gospel.

Next Episode

Ep.04 | Soul Care for Pastors | Dale Sellers

Navigate change and reorient to a new and hopeful future
In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, host Bart Blair interviews Dale Sellers, Executive Director of 95Network, a ministry focused on serving and resourcing small to mid-sized churches. Dale shares his personal journey in ministry, the mission of 95Network, and the importance of soul care for pastors.
Dale recounts his early years in ministry, traveling with his wife in a music group and noticing the discouragement among pastors and church leaders. After pastoring a church for 12 years, experiencing a split, and closing the church, Dale felt like a failure. He eventually started 95Network to serve and support pastors of small to mid-sized churches, which make up 95% of churches in America. A key focus of the conversation is the importance of pastoral health and soul care. Dale shares his own struggles with insecurity, feeling like he could never do enough for God, and the physical toll ministry took on his health. He emphasizes that pastors must prioritize self-care, including taking a Sabbath, maintaining friendships, and balancing family and ministry responsibilities.
Dale and Bart discuss the misconception that "healthy things grow," noting that unhealthy things can grow as well. They stress that the goal is not necessarily to turn small churches into megachurches, but rather to help churches become healthy and biblically grounded.
To address the need for pastoral soul care, 95Network developed the Soul Care Essentials Conference. This half-day event focuses on three key areas: the pastor's private life, personal life, and professional life. The conference provides practical guidance on maintaining accountability, friendships, and a healthy work-life balance. Attendees also receive a copy of Dale's book, "Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They'd Be There by Now."
Throughout the conversation, Dale and Bart emphasize the importance of vulnerability, admitting struggles, and seeking help when needed. They encourage pastors to develop relationships with other ministry leaders outside their own circles to gain fresh perspectives and avoid isolation. The episode concludes with Dale offering words of encouragement to pastors who feel stalled or alone in ministry. He reminds them of their calling and the great opportunities that lie ahead for those who prioritize their spiritual health and soul care. Bible Passages Cited:
1. Mark 6:52 and Mark 8:17-18 - After the feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000, the disciples' hearts were hardened, showing that it's possible to develop a hard heart even while doing the right things in ministry. 2. James 5:16 - "Confess your faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed." Dale emphasizes the importance of having someone to be honest and transparent with for healing and growth. 3. Proverbs 18:1 - "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire." Dale warns against isolation, which can lead to seeking one's own desires rather than God's will. Key Takeaways:
1. The majority of churches in America are small to mid-sized, and pastors of these churches often feel discouraged, under-resourced, and isolated. 2. Pastoral health and soul care are essential for effective ministry. Pastors must prioritize self-care, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
3. Unhealthy things can grow, so the goal should not be merely numerical growth, but rather spiritual health and biblical grounding. 4. Pastors need to be vulnerable, admit their struggles, and seek help when needed. Isolation can lead to burnout and moral failure. 5. Developing relationships with ministry leaders outside one's own circle can provide fresh perspectives and accountability. 6. Despite the challenges, pastors must remember their calling and the great opportunities that lie ahead for those who prioritize their spiritual health and soul care.
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