This coming Sunday is my last as campus pastor at our church’s Washington Township location.

I’ve served in that role part time since July 2016, and the campus has grown to the point where it needs full-time attention. Since our primary calling is Converge Coaching, we couldn’t take on the full-time role.

We’ve enjoyed working with a great lead pastor and associate staff! All of us remain good friends, and feel genuine excitement for the Washington campus’ future.

The last eleven months have been exciting and educational. Pastoring in 2017 is not the same as it was in the 1980s and 1990s. I’ve gained some surprising insights. Today’s blog will cover six insights, and next week’s blog will contain six more.

So—here we go:

Pastoral ministry possesses an invisible pull toward the micro (tactical) at the expense of the macro (strategic)

A pastor can be busy knocking things off his to-do list, but if they’re not the right things, organizational progress is stunted. Pastors find themselves invisibly pulled into thinking about door locks, alarm systems, roof leaks, and storage rooms—often at the expense of casting vision, working on strategy, and developing leaders. Pastors have to be intentional about what they do… and don’t do… or the micro will take over. Every pastor has to do some tactical items, but if tactical is all they do, the long-term health of the church suffers.

Church culture has radically changed

One example? The degree of commitment in terms of attendance. On any given Sunday 25-30 percent of a pastor’s congregation won’t show up. I’ve discovered this is true for almost all churches large and small. Here are some (not all) reasons why attendance has become more inconsistent. People have more money now and it gives them more choices with their discretionary time. Children with blended families alternate between homes every other week. People are finding community in more places than they did in the 80’s and 90’s. In some ways, I’ve made peace with the community thing, as long as Christians represent Christ well to those communities. Now if they’re gone all the time, that’s another story. A Christian cannot thrive if he is never in church with other believers.

The truth is, pastors can’t control who walks in the door on Sunday. But when those folks do walk in, let’s offer a compelling experience where they meet Jesus and find true heart connection with other people.

Engagement is a more reliable indicator of organizational health than attendance

Attendance is not unimportant as an indicator, but in 2017 it’s probably not the best indicator. In the 80’s and 90’s, attendance was the key performance indicator for most churches. A big crowd was seen as a sign of health. But given today’s rollercoaster attendance patterns, engagement seems like a more reliable measuring stick. At Washington campus, 85% of our adults and students are engaged in some form of service at our campus and/or outside the campus. While I think that’s healthy, I believe we can do better.  So try to focus first on engagement, and see if it positively impacts your attendance.

Great preaching and powerful worship aren’t the magnets they used to be

I’m 100% for great preaching and powerful worship. But in 2017, it seems heart connection with people, and a compelling cause are bigger draws. Thirty years ago, if a pastor was a terrific preacher, and the church had outstanding music/worship, you would attract people and grow numerically. Not anymore. Again, I’m not advocating sloppy preaching and worship, but asking us to consider this current reality: The attractional model seems to be fading. If that’s true, then pastors have to be more strategic about vision and mission. About creating opportunities for deep heart connection with people, especially newer people. Connecting people who are on the relational fringe to other people in your church may be the difference between growth or stagnation.

Your leaders want and need regular face time with you

It’s a losing strategy to spend more time with problem people than with people who are on board and rowing in the same direction you are. A better strategy? Focus like a laser on developing your leaders. You’ll receive a disproportionate amount of great results in return. I spent one hour of face time with each team lead every month. We talked about things like: Wins, challenges, what they’re dreaming about for their respective ministries. I would ask questions like: “Are you still having fun with this role? How can I help you? Who have you added to the team since our last meeting?” Face time with your leaders is time well-spent.

Simple is better 

Churches who try to do too much end up doing nothing well. It’s amazing how many church calendars are stuffed with activity night after night, week after week. I wonder if they’re trying to do too much? Your church can’t be great at ten things. Pick a few and be great at those. And remember—people have more things competing for their discretionary time than ever before. That trend is not going away, and effective pastors will adapt their organization’s priorities accordingly.

 

I know trying to digest and act on these six items all at once will probably give you an anxiety attack. Maybe you’re already doing some of these things. That’s awesome! Maybe you’re doing none of them. In any case, pick one that resonates with you the most. Begin thinking, praying, talking with other team members about it, and then start executing. Once you’re moving in a healthy direction, repeat the process with another insight you need to consider.

My hope for you is by processing some of the above six insights, you’ll lead better. Longer. Enjoy it more. And stay healthy at the same time.

I’m rooting and praying for you!