 Deferred maintenance is the practice of postponing maintenance activities such as repairs on both real property and personal property in order to save costs, meet budget funding levels, or realign available budget monies. The failure to perform needed repairs could lead to asset deterioration and ultimately asset impairment. --wikipedia
One of the hallmark signs of a church in trouble is a growing list of facility repairs which are not being addressed. It's easy to understand that choosing to repair an air-conditioner, roof or other major system vs. paying the pastor, keeping Sunday services going, funding missionaries can feel like an impossible choice. TICKING TIME BOMBS WATER: If you talk to any contractor, builder, insurance agent or realtor they will tell you this - water (where it's not supposed to be) is your enemy. The reality is this, every house and building (aside from the newly built) has water issues at some point. Practicing due diligence in tracking down water intrusions and leaks is absolutely mandatory. Pay attention to your life and doctrine, also pay attention to your roof. HVAC: These are some of the most costly repairs a church will face. Our forebears worshipped without AC, God bless them-they would tell us they would have loved to have it in their churches. They didn't go without heat. Unless you live in a temperate climate you're gonna need both the ability to warm and cool your gathering spaces. Unfortunately I can count on my own hands and a couple of extra deacon's hands the number of churches who have been taken down by the lack of AC and Heat. Closing off one part of the building, retreating to a smaller area due to HVAC issues is often putting one whole foot + leg into the casket. MOLD: Why do churches smell they way they do? I used to think it was all the old accumulated SS literature and plastic flowers and those N'illa wafer cookies handed out in kids sunday school. Most likely it's likely due to the previous mentioned elements (water and lack of climate control) and what happens when heat and water mix over time - Mold. Will you encounter mold? Yes, it's not a matter of if, but when. As well, don't be paralyzed by mold in your facility. Get a contractor, a remediation specialist and attack that mold, remove it, get it gone. I was always amazed at this passage in Leviticus, they took mold seriously. PAINT: We are currently in the market for housing, one of the obvious elements that speaks to the overall integrity of a home and the care it has received is the external condition of the structure, of which, the condition of the paint is telling. Peeling or absent paint communicates a message whether it's on the eves of the structure, the siding or the concrete steps leading to the front entrance - paint tells passers by a story about your church. Here's a tip, paint anything that doesn't require a ladder, hire out the rest. FEELING OVERWHELMED? By now you might be feeling that bringing your church facilities up to acceptable standards or even addressing safety and security and climate control issues are fundamentally beyond your capacity, your expertise or your financial reserves. Good, I'm glad you are at this place. Let me ask, what do you think God wants to do? Do you imagine that he wants your church to stay like it is for years? Is He glorified by a dilapidated, broken down and somewhat unusable house of worship? What about a crumbling and derelict facility confirms the power of the gospel? I think we both know that answer - it might help you to actually say it out loud, nothing. CHOOSING TO DO SOMETHING Now that we are to the place of honesty and we've said it out loud it's time to act. Unfortunately, leaders caught in this dilemma often choose inaction, not intentionally but because they can't see their way out. Here are some practical suggestions on what to do: 1. Make a list of necessary and required repairs - things that have to be addressed to safely and comfortably use the facilities. 2. Create a list of "desired" repairs - these are the lists of things that you would like to see taken care of and address, non critical to space usage but nice to have complete. 3. Call the Contractors and Count the cost - after you get the lists together, divided into necessary and critical repairs get bids for repairs. Last time I checked, most (not all) bids are free. Too many churches have thousands of dollars in reserves waiting for a "rainy" day. Hey guys, it's raining! It's time to release those funds according to the greatest priority needs, don't let the church crumble and die with money in the bank. TRUST GOD AND TAKE ACTION Some churches have enough means to address their facility issues - great, let's get it done. Other churches after counting the costs realize they do not have the level of reserves and income to survive their circumstances financially. Those in this place face a difficult choice, they are at a crossroads. THREE OPTIONS AT THE CROSSROADS 1. Partner with another church - I live in a city where church plants are in desperate need of space. Likely, due to the fact that most of our area in the urban/suburban region is already built out, and facility costs are so high, they won't find space/land/buildings affordable to them under 10 years. But there are countless existing spaces, debt free, occupied by congregations who need what these church plants have: people, momentum, children, money. The repair costs may be too high for an existing church in decline, but those costs are significantly lower than the purchase price of a comparable facility for the growing church. Understand this: the repair costs for a deteriorated facility which can be restored and redeemed are substantially lower than the purchase price of the same building in today's market. 2. Donate the building to your Association, State Convention, Multiplying Church: any one of the aforementioned would gladly assist in stewarding your church property toward its intended purpose of being a gospel outpost in the community. They have the energy, knowledge and connections to preserve the ministry in that location, to see your facilities redeemed for God's glory. 3. Stay where you are as you are: In listing this as an option please don't read this as an endorsement and affirmation that it is a viable choice to do nothing. I write this recalling several churches and their leaders in my mind's eye. They know the facts, they are fully aware of their predicament and still, they choose to do nothing. Why? I wish I could fully understand, but even if I did, I'm not sure I could change their thinking or their decisions. While I'm tempted to express a multitude of thoughts, recite a cogent list of arguments, point out the dangers and coming realities related to inaction, doing so to ears that won't hear is futile. PLEASE PRAY - FERVENTLY I know of too many churches who are stuck and stranded in their fears, stymied by the thought of the church as they've known it ending under their watch. I know of well intentioned Trustees, Committee Members and Lay Leaders who have taken the viability of the church upon their shoulders rather than allowing God to care for it and lead it toward the future. They are weary, fearful and protective. Their ire and anger flash at anyone who suggests a future that threatens or suggests it's time to let go and let God. They stymie, pocket veto and obfuscate all reasonable attempts to bring the church into a better place and toward vitality. They can't be reasoned with, I've tried. That's why I'm asking you to pray earnestly for God to move in them, move them on or remove them as the roadblocks to Gospel Advance.
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 In working with Pastors and Churches I’ve come to understand the relationship between a Shepherd and some of his flock sometimes can be fraught with challenge. In most cases it’s not the entirety of the congregation, often it’s just a handful of prominent or influential folk who exert their will and opinion over the congregation.
Let me say this-sometimes it is appropriate to inquire about a Pastor’s tenure. If he’s lost vision, if he’s lazy and negligent, if he is derelict or deficient in his biblical duties, a congregation and its leaders are right to bring pointed conversations about the relationship between pastor and people and his employ. More often transition scenarios play like a scratchy old vinyl record, the tune familiar, the static painful to the ear. A Pastor, who has done no moral wrong, who has faithfully - according to his gifting and ability - sought to lead and pastor his people is forced out. Beware the danger of such a move - the church may not ever fully recover from a wrongful forced termination. Dear Church Member/Leader, before you inquire about your Pastor’s tenure, before you think of raising the subject with others I have ten questions to ask you - please sit with and answer them. If this article has found you too late, if the Pastor is still occupying the office, stop seeking his dismissal, perhaps reverse course and make sure you’ve walked through these inquiries personally. Have you earnestly prayed for him? Not always but often I’ve discovered congregants are quick to criticize but slow to pray for their Shepherds. A Pastor has a difficult job, his influence and work are 100% relational, he can’t force, coerce or demand you be obedient, submissive to the Lordship of Christ, he has to teach the scriptures and appeal to you to die to self, pick up your cross daily and follow Jesus. He’s asking you to do something your flesh hates-be sure you’re not pushing him out because you’re convicted of sin or disobedience. Have you pursued Christlikeness? Dear church member, do you know that you are personally responsible for your own spiritual maturity? Are you humbly and actively pursuing Jesus and surrendering more and more of your life to his Lordship? Are you demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit? Are you demonstrating Christian love? Have you laid down your preferences? Sometimes I feel like my head is about to explode when I hear church members and attenders freely voice their opinions and preferences regarding worship styles, sermon styles, programming preferences with a critical spirit. If we’re not careful we may find ourselves spending more time talking about what we like or don’t like rather than about the greatness of the Gospel and the magnificent goodness of Jesus. Have you contended for unity? A hallmark of the early church was their unity in the midst of their diversity. Jews, Gentiles, Political Activists and former Government Agents shared meals, ministry assignments and fellowshipped at the feet of Jesus. Unity doesn’t come easily-it has to be pursued and guarded. Unity in the church must be based on Jesus and the mission he gave to the church. Are you working for unity? Are you living on mission? Often, those among us who are bored or disengaged from missional work can develop critical spirits and can find themselves on the offensive against Pastors. Have you confronted and rebuked fellow congregants? Our spiritual journey is not a solo adventure. We are called to bear one another’s burdens, encourage and exhort one another and even offer and receive rebukes from each other. Sadly, we’ve lost the ability to give and receive firm and strong words of warning and exhortation to each other. Perhaps your words of warning and correction are misdirected toward the Shepherd and should be rightly exercised within the body, or perhaps directed towards self. Maybe, someone needs to rebuke your actions, words and attitudes-would you be ready to receive it? Have you given double honor? Pastors don’t choose their vocation to become rich, neither did they hope to be impoverished or struggle week after week and month after month to make ends meet. Some pastors by choice work a second vocation, some by necessity. I’ve seen churches with thousands in reserves, deposited at the bank whose pastors struggle to meet their families basic needs. Frankly, that reality is to your shame - if your church can afford to pay more but simply decides not to do so. Adding your criticism to low pay is demoralizing, disheartening and defeating to your Shepherd. Have you encouraged him specifically? The Sunday greeting line where Pastor and People connect typically involves the exchange of niceties and bits of information-this common exchange resounds regularly; “Nice sermon Pastor.” The preacher’s regular work in teaching/preaching is an exhausting endeavor. He wonders; “Is this hitting home? Is this connecting? Is the Lord using this to draw all of us closer to him?” One way to measure is the feedback loop-what are people saying? “Nice sermon” is like saying fine when someone asks how you are doing-not extremely helpful. Instead, share something specifically that impacted you from the morning message. Better yet, offer the best feedback of all by applying God’s word in your life in a way that leads to transformed living-and bear verbal witness to the changes the Spirit is working in your life. Have you compared him to other Preachers? Your pastor preaches like he preaches - he won’t, can’t and shouldn’t compare to or be like another preacher. Even a preacher you admire from a podcast or the television, or even one in your home town area. You can always find someone who, in your opinion, says or does something better. But remember this, we are called to be Christians committed to a local congregation, not consumers of Christian services. Are you working to build up the church? I want to say this as clearly as possible - God is the one who builds his church. If your church grows it’s because God is making that happen. Let me also say this - he does that through us as Christians who belong to that specific congregation. The Pastor, like us, plays a part in what God does to grow a church. As we invite others, share the gospel, disciple people and engage in mercy ministries God may use those efforts to grow our local church numerically - he also may not grow our numbers as we would like. I do know this - putting the entirety of the burden to grow the church on a single Pastor is wrong. Perhaps your church isn’t growing because you’re not playing your part. Have you considered leaving with integrity? It could be time for you to leave the church you’re attending rather than asking the Pastor to leave. Maybe you need some time in a new setting to grow in a different way. Perhaps God wants to use your gifts elsewhere where they are needed. Maybe, he’s calling you away to show you that the church served by your Pastor isn’t as bad as you might think. Maybe you are the one who needs to leave - if you do, please do so with as much integrity and good will as you can muster. Love everyone as you say goodbye, bless them and then be off to your new church adventure. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
 Church renewal (read replanting and revitalizing) is a lot like farming. You work hard, wait, work some more and then wait. In the waiting you may begin to wonder if anything is happening, if any impact is being made, if any true spiritual work is taking place.
The normal measures of success and growth (increased attendance, bigger budgets, more programs and buzz) may remain elusive to you—especially during the early days (read first five years) of your replanting work. Even more elusive - the markers you may desire most - conversions and baptisms. It takes time to reignite and mobilize a declined congregation toward missional living. Don't ignore the standard measurements of growth but don't be tied to them alone as the primary indicators of success, especially in the early days of your renewal work. To be clear, I’m not advocating for changing the game “where everyone gets a trophy” and you never keep score. I am suggesting that you begin measuring something many fail to measure--moving your members toward maturity. Maturation is a funny thing—it occurs internally yet displays itself externally. It develops slowly but appears suddenly. Its absence and presence are undeniable. In many churches, especially those long in decline it may seem to be entirely absent in the lives of the majority of members. Often we've expected longevity of church membership and moral living to equate to spiritual maturity, they often don't. Old "Bill" a deacon who's been around for years, served on the search committee and is a Trustee for the church can be as mean as a snake whenever his ideas are contested. He's known to spout un-prayed over and critical opinions at the monthly business meeting, creating shock among the new members, shakes of the head among the old who say; "That's just Old Bill-he gets that way." "Gossipy Sue" a senior adult, whose family founded the church, spins her tales as she rocks the youngest of the congregation in the church nursery. Her "sharing" dispirits and disheartens those assigned to serve with her on a Sunday. Worse, when her comments are reported or shared, division is sewn into the fabric of the church family. When conflicts are dissected to discern their source, a good many can be traced back to "Gossipy Sue." Are these folks, who have been fixtures and staples of the church mature? By their behaviors just mentioned we'd have to say it's not certain. Are they demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit? Are the embodying Christian love? Paul states the goal of his ministry is to present everyone mature in Christ, he then shows us the pattern of ministry he employs to get there.
What if we started asking those in our church this question: “Are you following Jesus more fully and faithfully now than you were last (week, month, year)? Is your life and are you actions/interactions characterized by Christian love, do they demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit? What if we began organizing our efforts and aim at helping our people mature in Christ—and trusting God to give us the strength to do so and leaving the results up to Him. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Are you taking the long or short view as you develop your ministry score card? 2. Is your focus on results or presenting those you are called to shepherd mature in Christ? 3. Are you working in ministry in your own strength, or in the strength God provides?  Those seeking to catalyze change in a church or organization know that receiving criticism and efforts to sabotage those changes is not only possible, it's probable. Preparing your mind, heart and spirit for that reality is one thing, enduring and leading forward progress in-spite of them is quite another.
Brother Pastor, Church Leader, Staff member - preparing for the battle before the first salvos are exchanged is not only good advice, it is essential. Consider the challenges Nehemiah faced, follow his example, trust God and lead forward. SABOTAGE STRATEGY 1 - PUBLIC AND OPEN CRITICISM Critics gonna criticize, often, perhaps loudly, maybe publicly, definitely to those willing to give an ear to their negative vocalizations. In part criticism is a good sign (as long as your not being mean, foolish or exercising poor leadership.) You can expect people to get angry, mock, question and criticize. RESPONSE: Stay at the work SABOTAGE STRATEGY 2 - PLOTTING CONFLICT It is sad, but it happens. People antagonistic to changes at a church may exercise bylaw loopholes to gather a crowd (who haven't a clue about what's going on at the church by the way) to vote down initiatives, vote out a pastor and cause chaos. You'd think what with the absence of visitors, baptisms and members sharing the gospel they'd have more important work to do - but no, plotting to keep the church dying and declining-that's the important priority. RESPONSE: Pray and set up guards SABOTAGE STRATEGY 3 - ENEMEY INFILTRATION Not everyone who is with you is for the vision God has given. I've been surprised by betrayals, spies, moles and leakers who took information, manipulated it to their own ends. These close insiders mischaracterize vision, leaders motives and look for ways to kill progress and take out leaders. I wish it weren't so, but sometimes it is. RESPONSE: Equip everyone with the truth so that they can defend SABOTAGE STRATEGY 4 - REQUESTING A "MEETING" Let me give you some trusted insight, borne out over a couple of decades of ministry experience. If a recently vocal negative critic wants to "meet" to talk things out, if they aren't leading with repentance, if they have spread gossip and rumors like wildfire, sewn dissension among the congregation and their invitation to convene a conversation isn't absolutely soaked with apologetic humility - don't meet. RESPONSE: Focus on your important work SABOTAGE STRATEGY 5 - THE ANONYMOUS LETTER Our seminary and bible professors told us this would happen, the stories prepared our minds cognitively but nothing prepares our hearts for suffering but actually suffering. Typically we hear about such letters only after others have received them. What do the authors intend? Perhaps it's to blanket the congregation with criticism, it could be to plant seeds which would sprout additional opponents. Such letters are meant to strike a blow to the leader, eliminating their voice, silencing them to address the matters raised in the document. RESPONSE: Speak the truth, pray. SABOTAGE STRATEGY 6 - INTIMIDATION Some critics and their allies attempt to strike a leaders heart with fear. Using hyperbole, exaggeration and over statement they claim things are worse than they actually are, that circumstances are perilous, that the future is dire. Their advice - hide, run, play it safe, back down, stop. RESPONSE: Discern the source, pray. SABOTAGE STRATEGY 7 - SIDE CHANNEL CRITICISM When leaders are undaunted, when all the strategies employed to get them to stop, change course, lose heart or quit a Saboteur in a last ditch effort to have their way may "flood the zone" with a wide spread last ditch attempt to discredit the work, the leader behind the work and build a coalition of like minded critics among the influential, the common public and the entire community. RESPONSE: Disregard Questions for Reflection 1. What sabotage strategies are you dealing with right now? 2. What can you learn from the example of Nehemiah? How can you mirror his response? 3. What help do you need to stay on course - pursuing the vision God has given?  Resistance to change: any word, threat or act designed to derail, delay, intimidate or upend forward progress toward the accomplishment of God’s revealed vision.
You’ve likely heard the quip; “A pastor believes he’s going to change the world, but almost gets fired when he changes the bulletin.” Sadly, as I can attest, it’s true. There are few things as sacred to a declining and dying church as the bulletin. In our discussion about leading change we’ve walked through the left side of the equation and are now dealing squarely with the single element on the right: resistance to change. Here’s the truth, we love change until we don’t. Usually we welcome change for others, changes that we’ve been considering or desiring but we may put up a hard stop when change has our address on its label. The older we grow chronologically the more change resistant we are likely to be. I don’t like changing my passwords, I’m not necessarily a fan of iOS updates and I might fly into a (I need my readers to see) rage if you change the numbers on the value meals at my local fast food spot. I like life how I like it. Every change I encounter reminds me, I’m one more day closer to glory. Change is the Only Constant The world and our culture are constantly in flux. Improvements, regression, good ideas followed by bad, followed by corrective actions-it’s always been like this. You’re kidding yourself if you don't agree. Yet, there is one constant - God. He is, as the song goes, Age to Age the same. He never falters, fails, stumbles or slumbers. Yet, he is always on the move, working, raising up leaders, reaching new people, revealing himself (with consistency and fidelity) to new people throughout all generations. Everything changes, but God. Because this is true it demonstrates WHY we need Him, long for Him and why He is the Rock. Change Represents Loss When we encounter something, like it and benefit from it we develop a desire and expectation that it will provide us a trusted experience or outcome with each successive encounter. As I mentioned above-we like what we like and want it over and over. So changing that experience, removing that constant represents a loss to us. Last I checked, no one likes to lose. Change Creates Conflict It is not difficult to draw the line between loss and conflict. Stop by the preschool room and watch what happens when one child takes something away from a classmate. The range of emotions, expressions and perhaps even physical retribution are easily predictable. Same with every adult you know. Create a change in the one thing or a few things they really really like, enjoy, value, desire - you’ll get a response. Change Perspectives with Vision Most change we foist on people, organizations and churches is designed to improve the state of things, to enhance the culture, operations and enable us to meet shared objectives or mission. Leaders are always seeking to improve efficiency and effectiveness. If you’re a leader you intuitively see that, it’s the reason behind the change you are making, leading or suggesting. Others don’t see what you see - at least not in the beginning. Help them. Casting a clear vision ahead of changes is vital to overcoming the resistance to change. Vision is the why behind the what, it’s the foundational element that helps change the cultural chemistry of your church, organization or team. When people resist, go back to the vision. Is it clear, is it consistent with God’s call, are there initial first steps that can be taken toward its accomplishment? Questions for Reflection 1. Are you pro-change or change-resistant? Why? 2. When did you lead change that was accepted? Rejected? What was different or the same about each? 3. Can you cast a clear vision for the change you are proposing right now?  I’ve talked with a lot of churches facing uncertain futures who are looking for quick fixes. They have a lot of ideas, so do the consultants who proffer their wisdom for a price. Rarely have I seen one or two adjustments or strategies turn around a church which has been decades in decline. IT’S NOT JUST ONE THING - IT’S MANY When you begin unpacking the history of a church long in decline you’ll likely discover a plethora of decisions, challenges, mistakes and even embedded and never confronted sins that have conspired to erode spiritual vitality. Mix in division and conflict, season with spiritual apathy and you’ll understand why the soup is spoiled so to speak. A church like this needs more than a demographic report and a hospitality strategy-they need spiritual renewal. CONTROLLERS GONNA CONTROL If I had five dollars for every dysfunctional church story I’ve heard, involving a church bully, gate-keeper, an interfering former pastor, a long term secretary and cranky old patriarch/matriarch wreaking havoc and controlling the church, I’d be a pretty wealthy person. Instead, I’m sad and honestly a bit indignant. There is a strong correlation between controllers creating chaos and conflict and the efforts to bring renewal to a church. SPIRITUAL RENEWAL FIRST - STRATEGY SECOND An honest reading of the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation shows us that some churches can look great on the outside (lots of churchy activity, correct doctrine, abhorrence for false teaching etc.) yet have hearts that are spiritually askew. Only a full repentant return to Christ will bring back spiritual vitality and blessing. THE SOLUTION THAT ISN’T - LET’S CALL A NEW PASTOR Hear this, every church needs a godly, called, qualified and committed Pastor. Especially the unhealthy congregations-they need a shepherd who will care and lead the flock as an under-shepherd of the Chief Shepherd - Jesus. But, many of these unhealthy churches call a Pastor and put the full weight of the church's success upon his back. Who’s gonna reach new people? The New Pastor is, because he’ll visit, preach amazing sermons and he’s younger than us-he alone will attract all our young neighbors. (ignore the fact that we don’t pay him enough to be full time or live in the same community where our church is located, and that we only really want him to reach certain people from the neighborhood) Who’s gonna help our church thrive? The New Pastor is, with his fresh ideas, innovation, and his new degree from one of our seminaries! (disregard the fact that we’ll resist every new idea, that we’ll make a mountain out of every molehill, we’ll guard our preferences to the death-even those which aren’t grounded in scripture) Who’s gonna help the church grow? The New Pastor is, with his boundless energy and great personality! (overlook that we’ll burden him with outdated committee structures, endless frustrating meetings and our refusal to change, that we'll subject every initiative he suggests to a whole church vote, we’ll question every suggestion, offer our criticism rather than our prayers, support and service) Who’s gonna grow this church? The New Pastor is! (disregard the fact that scripture is clear-Jesus is the one who builds his church-as we obey and submit to His leadership through his undershepherds.) ONE PASTOR CANNOT STOP DECADES LONG DECLINE - ALONE When I hear church members and leaders advocate for the “New Pastor” solution I think of the scene below, from the movie Superman. Accelerated decline, imminent danger, certain demise if nothing changes. That’s the reality, that’s what will happen if nothing changes, it's also what will happen when church members, who called and voted for the New Pastor, resist, attack, build coalitions against, gossip about and launch an offensive against the one they pinned their renewal hopes upon. YOUR PASTOR ISN’T SUPERMAN - HE CAN’T SAVE THE CHURCH - JESUS CAN Let me reiterate one more time - you need a godly, called and qualified Pastor. You (dear church member) also need a heart ready to repent, follow Jesus and your Pastor. A pastor can’t save a church because he can’t save you - he can point you to Jesus, he can preach the scriptures, he can appeal to you to lay down your life as an act of worship - but he can’t force you. Jesus saved you, he can save the church, but first you’ll have to grow sorrowful over your sin, repent, surrender and submit - and I know that isn’t easy, it’s just the only way.  Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-3 There are many Pastors who are feeling the weight of of ministry and are likely beyond exhausted, physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. In the past month I’ve heard my pastor friends say these things: “I’m ready to quit.” “I don’t know how much longer I can keep going.” “If one more family leaves over ____________ I’m not sure our church will be able to survive financially.” “I’m not going to abandon the church now, but when this season is over, I’m planning on resigning.” “I’m depressed, discouraged and feel like a failure.” When I pastored I said similar things. When I led in difficult seasons I thought about them, regularly. We should acknowledge that some of our brothers and the churches they pastor are growing and thriving, we can rejoice and be thankful for that-we can also confess that many are not, in fact they may be the majority. Brother Pastor, let me encourage you to keep running and endure. The writer of Hebrews offers us a great exhortation to keep going, even when things are difficult. Consider the Example of Others History is replete with the stories of missionaries and pastors who labored faithfully over years, often at great costs and with great hardships, while not seeing great numbers of conversions. Consider the life of Adoniram Judson, who after four decades of ministry in Burma, could count, at best, twenty-five converts to Christ. In that same timeframe he buried two wives, six children, and eleven co-workers. By God’s grace, the gospel took hold and the number of converts tracing their faith to his work now number in the millions. Lay Aside Hindrances What are the things that hinder your joy, undermine your devotion and slow your ministry? Could it be an expectation or desire to be successful by a certain standard which now has you second guessing your call or feeling frustrated? Are you facing real emotional challenges that would benefit from counseling, medical examination or medication? Are you watching and listening to other Pastors and comparing yourself to them? Are you following the advice of consultants who peddle quick solutions for churches in crisis who have never led a church during a season like this? Do the work of prayerful reflection and set aside whatever things the Lord reveals are hindering your race. Mortify Sin Sustained discouragement in the life of a Christian, especially a Pastor can become an incubator for sin. Our desires can slowly over time skew toward self-we want to feel different, be happy, feel successful. Our desire to feel good, experience success, and enjoy personal fulfillment can become an obsessive quest. We each have sins that are prone to ensnare our hearts, minds and hands. Know the specific sins that could take you out and ask the Lord to deaden you to them. Run Your Race God calls each of us to the same ministry of proclaiming the gospel and making disciples who make disciples. But his call to each of us is unique to a certain context. I served in an affluent, highly educated, extremely progressive and gospel resistant city. You may serve in a sparsely populated conservative rural county. We each have a race that lies before us-one that is very different. I’m called to faithfully run mine and you yours. I may think your race looks easier and want to abandon mine-but I must finish the race God has laid before me. Keep Looking at Jesus I ran long distance on the track team when I was much younger, I did not run well at all. I like to say now that the only time I run is when I’m scared or in danger-which means I don’t run much! In my track days I struggled to run effectively because I was focused not on the finish line but my pain. Pastor, what are you focusing on as you run the race God has put before you? My experience reminds me that when I focus on the pain of my race and not on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my faith, who successfully ran his race to the cross I will struggle and want to quit running. The race is not over brother Pastor, let’s keep running and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  IT BEGINS (AND CONTINUES) WITH SOMEONE
In any group of people, be it a workplace, school, office or church there are some who initiate action or instigate change. It can come in the form of a suggestion; "Hey why don't we..." or "I wonder if we ______" and let's add, "I think we should......." These are the catalytic leaders among us, they see an opportunity, an inefficiency or injustice and rise to action, call for something different. They are movers and sometimes they shake things up. We need them, some who prefer status quo, resist their gift and work. PROGRESS REQUIRES LEADERS & FOLLOWERS It's not uncommon to get confused about leadership. In the late 90s and early to mid 2000s a lot of church conferences claimed that everyone is a Leader. Myriads of resources were created and foisted on Pastors and Churches-a lot were good, some were not. In reality, not everyone functions in the lead position. If we were all leading, no one would be following, and nothing would be accomplished. Let's tweak the now two decades leadership assertion to this-Leaders lead, others follow, those that follow lead out in the accomplishment of the mission. DIRECTIONAL LEADERS SET THE COURSE, DOING LEADERS MAKE IT HAPPEN A simple leadership principle-to go somewhere you have to actually go somewhere. Someone (the leader) has to determine direction-be it through declaration, relational influence or collaboration-a person has to begin the process of saying let's go here, let's do this. At that point, those around, who are part of the community have a decision to make-do we agree? Are we going to put in the effort to go there, to accomplish, to achieve the movement toward that direction? If yes, they engage in "doing" leadership. DIRECTIONAL LEADERSHIP MUST BE STEWARDED Our natural tendency is to start something and not fully finish it or see it through to completion. The task of the leader is to see it through all the way, even in the face of opposition, delay, challenge and lack of resource. Leadership: A called, qualified and committed leader navigates dangers, threats, challenges to the accomplishment of the vision-keeping the congregation united and focused and moving forward. In Nehemiah 2, we see a great example of stewarding the vision God is giving and shaping
GUARD AND GUIDE DIRECTIONAL LEADERSHIP I've read a leadership guru who writes that we should be "mean" about the vision. I get what he's trying to say, but I'd want to be careful to caution and encourage leaders "mean" doesn't convey you have to run roughshod over people to accomplish the task-don't be a jerk, tossing people disagree off the "bus." Simply communicate the vision, protect and guard it, encourage its adoption and implementation. Do this in every way possible, circle back to it regularly. Don't take time to debate critics who want to make you stop-just keep going. QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION 1. Are you a Directional or Doing Leader? What are some supporting examples that informed your response? 2. Are you stewarding your leadership assignment well? 3. Is the vision under attack? How are you responding?
REPLANTING - DIFFICULT, JOYFUL WORK
Replanting a church is difficult, but it also can be a great joy. When we began our work at Sherwood Baptist Church we joined a church that had been long in decline. The few remaining members, many well into their more seasoned years, believed they had one more opportunity perhaps to see God work. They called me in a unanimous vote, we visited as many as we could and they said with one voice; "We need to change!" CHANGE IS WANTED, WHEN ITS NOT PERSONALLY ADDRESSED TO YOU The change we often say we want is not change for us but change for others. Or, it's change within a certain set of parameters that don't impact us. I'm okay if you have to change, but don't ask me to change. In our Replant we all had to change. Long time members had to surrender their preferences, I had to surrender my pride and anyone who knows anything about church renewal knows that we were in for a rough ride-every single one of us. CAN WE SURVIVE ALL THE CHANGE? Pictured above is Dottie, she was a day one member of Sherwood Baptist Church, she and her family helped found the church, she sang the very first special music, her husband was a deacon, her son did donuts in his car in the parking lot (and he got in big trouble) and she was there when my first day rolled around. She was and is sweet, but she didn't like the changes I felt led to lead. She let me know too, sometimes right before I was supposed to preach. DISPLEASURE IS NOT DISSENSION I had to learn that our older members were struggling with change, it was hard, difficult, and often undesirable. Their expression of frustration was more out of grief of things lost. To the untrained Pastor's ear, displeasure can be misheard as dissension-it could be, but often it's not. I've addressed this earlier, we don't like change, I don't like change. We needed to have a way to voice that and grieve together. But we needed to stay together, not divide as we voiced our displeasure and struggle. CHANGE IS COSTLY During the intensity of our season of change several long time church members left. I definitely could have led differently and avoided some of that but not all of it. Dottie's entire Sunday School class departed. She stayed, saying; "I want to stay and see what God is going to do, this is my church and I don't want to miss it." WE GREW TO LOVE DOTTIE (AND THE OTHER REMAINING MEMBERS) The scriptures tell us this; It (Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 Love flourished in great challenge and difficulty. In fact, we loved even more deeply because of our sticking together during hard times. DOTTIE TURNED 100 When I first met Dottie she was 88, she had just quit playing in a tennis league, she still drove, she never missed church (at least rarely) and she prayed and our church filled with young people and kids, every knew her and loved her and she loved us. Still does, and we still do love her. We traveled to St. Louis to celebrate her 100th birthday recently and she always wanted to ride in my convertible. We were able to make that happen. It was a great reunion of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. The Gospel does that, it makes people family. It makes enemies friends. It brings life back to a church that was once in decline. Love the Ms. Dotties in your church, even if they talk to you about what they don't like before you get up to preach-you'll get through it, so will they and something beautiful will happen.  NON-ACTIONABLE VISION IS A PIPE DREAM
I have opportunity meet Pastors, Church Planters and Renewal Pastors quite often. I enjoy hearing about their goals, plans and vision. Often I leave those conversations inspired, pumped, sometimes I'd consider joining them if I wasn't already committed to a local church. What causes me to feel that way? Actionable vision. They know where they are going and how they are going to get there. If you can paint a grand picture but can't articulate how you will accomplish making that happen - you're more a story teller than a leader. VISION IS ACCOMPLISHED IN SMALL STEPS I'm a big picture guy, I like to elevate and see where we need to go, to focus on the end goal or vision. I see what a church can become, what it can look like if the vision comes to reality. I'm less a detail guy-but I've had to learn, sometimes through pain, that every vision can and should be broken down into small steps, sometimes painfully small steps. FIRST STEPS = a set of clear actionable items/steps that will begin to lead the congregation toward fulfilling that vision. Nehemiah has served as our reference point, here's the next passage: “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy.” And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me." Nehemiah 2:5-8 VISION IS WHAT NOW AND WHAT NEXT What is the first right step toward making your vision happen? Is it a meeting, is it several. Is it a conversation with a key gatekeeper? Do you need to get bids, price some things out? Do you need some time away to chart all of this on a giant whiteboard? Would it help to bounce it off a key mentor? Do you know what the lynchpin or keystone actions are which will get things moving in the right direction? VISION REQUIRES PERMISSION I want to be careful not to derail anyone's pursuit of their vision-you don't need permission from everyone, but you do need buy in from the influencers. Technically not permission but a "yes" from them nonetheless. When congregational influencers affirm the vision you have opportunity for progress, if they resist you're stuck until they come onboard. VISION REQUIRES PROVISION Every vision is a picture of a preferred future that is different from the state of what is right now reality. Moving anything, any group, church or people forward to a new reality will require resources of some kind. A building, a vehicle, a new website, additional staff, communication materials, volunteers, leaders all that costs something. Get permission for your vision and you'll have provision. VISION REQUIRES PERSISTENCE I'll get to this in detail in a future blog post but if you're not ready to communicate the vision multiple times, if you're not ready to pursue it when it looks like it won't happen, if you give up or are easily frustrated then the vision is in jeopardy. Dogged persistence to pursue the vision is one of the key ingredients to seeing what isn't yet, become what is. Questions for Consideration: 1. Have you listed out your vision in steps? Assigned timelines and due dates? 2. Who needs to "buy-in" to your plan or vision? Who are the influencers or gatekeepers? 3. What is the first actionable step? What are the next ten? |
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