Episode 7: Dennis Anderson on Pastoral Leadership

11/21/19 • 78 min

In this Episode, Austin interviews his pastor Dennis Anderson about pastoring at a young age, keys to leading a debt-free church, hiring church staff, and the difference between leadership and lordship.

About Dennis Anderson:

Dennis Anderson has served as Senior Pastor at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle in Pearcy, Arkansas since 1985. He served the Arkansas District UPCI as Superintendent from 2009-2017.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

Advice to those pastoring at a young age (he started pastoring at 23):

You must overcome the mindset that you're too young.
It’s not your Church, it’s Gods Church.
You’re not alone. God has got your back.
The anointing brings respect and relevance.
The anointing breaks the yoke. The "yoke" could be your inferiority complex.
Preach the Word and let God confirm it. He will back you up.
Don’t take things personal. Be who God has called you to be.
Lean on God’s call on your life and His anointing.

On keys to leading a debt-free church:

Focus on what God really wants from your church. Resources come.
The Church is a living organism and it tells you what it needs.
Take it one step at a time like you would eat a steak one bite at a time.
Numbers tell the truth. Act on faith, but be aware of reality.
Don’t let others pressure you into stepping over your head into debt.
The best time for you to get in the best financial position is before you get committed.
People will give when they can see the need. You can’t see a monthly payment the same way you can see the need for a building.

On Leadership instead of Lordship:

Love God and Love People.
Inspire people to do right instead of aggressively pushing people.

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

"Failing Forward" by John Maxwell
"Total Church Growth" by Tim Massengale

About Dennis Anderson:

Dennis Anderson has served as Senior Pastor at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle in Pearcy, Arkansas since 1985. He served the Arkansas District UPCI as Superintendent from 2009-2017.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

Advice to those pastoring at a young age (he started pastoring at 23):

You must overcome the mindset that you're too young.
It’s not your Church, it’s Gods Church.
You’re not alone. God has got your back.
The anointing brings respect and relevance.
The anointing breaks the yoke. The "yoke" could be your inferiority complex.
Preach the Word and let God confirm it. He will back you up.
Don’t take things personal. Be who God has called you to be.
Lean on God’s call on your life and His anointing.

On keys to leading a debt-free church:

Focus on what God really wants from your church. Resources come.
The Church is a living organism and it tells you what it needs.
Take it one step at a time like you would eat a steak one bite at a time.
Numbers tell the truth. Act on faith, but be aware of reality.
Don’t let others pressure you into stepping over your head into debt.
The best time for you to get in the best financial position is before you get committed.
People will give when they can see the need. You can’t see a monthly payment the same way you can see the need for a building.

On Leadership instead of Lordship:

Love God and Love People.
Inspire people to do right instead of aggressively pushing people.

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

"Failing Forward" by John Maxwell
"Total Church Growth" by Tim Massengale

Previous Episode

Episode 6: Larry Gimnich on Leading from the Second Chair and Building a Leadership Team

In this Episode, Austin interviews Larry Gimnich about Leading from the Second Chair and Building a Leadership Team.

About Larry Gimnich:

Larry Gimnich serves as Associate Pastor at New Life Church in Cabot, Arkansas as well as the Dean of the Cabot Purpose Institute Campus.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

On Leading from the Second Chair:

Ministry is pouring yourself in wherever you are at instead of always looking at the horizon.
Your location of ministry is not a level of value, but gifting.
Second-chair is not a lesser ministry, but a location of ministry.
"Every church is better off when they have secure and committed second chairs." - Larry Gimnich
For successful second-chair ministry, you need a confident and Christ-like first chair.
- First-chairs who aren't threatened by others having influence in the church.
- First-chairs who are not only willing to share the work, but also the people's hearts.
2 Keys of Cabot's Success: The attitude of the first-chair (Tim Gaddy) and the attitude of the congregation.

On the Importance of Building a Leadership Team and Casting Vision:

"You can't afford to not build a team." - Larry Gimnich
We are called to equip saints to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
Jesus had a compelling vision and He invited the disciples to take part in it.
Sometimes, you can pay people just by having a clear vision for them to buy into.
- "People want to work for someone who has vision." - Larry Gimnich
"People want to be involved in a work that is others-centered and not just menial tasks." - Larry Gimnich
- "Delegate real responsibility." - Chantry Dean
You don't need a team if you don't have a vision bigger than yourself.
- "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." - African Proverb
- "Individualism isn't productive in the Kingdom of God." - Larry Gimnich
Volunteers must feel that they are a part of the shared experience.
In order to increase your volunteer base, you've got to share with them.
- Invite them in.
"We are all called to lead. It is God's best version of us." - Larry Gimnich

These are just a few notes from this conversation. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

"The Boys in the Boat" by Daniel James Brown
"How to Lead When You're Not in Charge" by Clay Scroggins
"Leading from the Second Chair" by Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson
"Thriving in the Second Chair" by Mike Bonem
"Follow to Lead" by Stan Gleason
"The Way of the Shepherd" by Kevin Leman

Next Episode

Episode 8: The Call of God

In this episode, Austin is interviewed by Jesse Welch and Jacob Purifoy from the Car Talk Podcast about the call of God. We pray that this episode is a blessing to you!