When pastors and deacons work together, the ministry of the church thrives. When they are at odds, ministry struggles. Deacons are called to be unifiers in the church. Pastors should treat deacons positively and with respect. When hostility exists between pastors and deacons, the church will drift away from the mission. Too often deacons are forced into roles they are not passionate about. You can breathe life into the deacon body by giving them responsibilities in the areas they love. In this episode, Read more [...]
We had a predictable rhythm to our worship services. It was a good pattern that served our church. Then the pandemic hit, and we had to rethink everything. Overnight, the way we did worship no longer worked. After a brief closure, we reopened in-person services to an entirely new format. Here is what we did. Here is what we’ve learned. We have five services in two languages across two sites. To minimize the impact of change and to account for social distancing measures, all our services Read more [...]
By now, you’ve heard the call to capture the opportunity of a blank slate. The current pandemic is prompting every church to reconsider approaches to ministry. Practically, how do you start this process? One consideration is a “whiteboard session.” The term refers to a meeting in which a group of people collaborate with an open mind. The whiteboard reference implies starting fresh with nothing on the board—a “blank slate” if you’re referencing a chalkboard. The two keys to a Read more [...]
As a pastor, you are part of the body of Christ. Within the body, friendship is important, even for pastors. Pastors should have friends in the church and model friendship for the church. Friendship takes time, and the expectation of instant friendship in the church is not healthy. The lead pastor should be friendly with staff, but being a friend to subordinates is challenging. The staff needs you to be a great boss first and a friend second. If you want friends in the church as a pastor, you have Read more [...]
Every negative word has the power of one hundred positive words. This idea comes from one of my mentors, Brad Waggoner. He challenged me to rethink the way I communicate, both personally and professionally. Think of encouragement and discouragement on different sides of a scale. One hundred pieces of encouragement weigh the same as one piece of discouragement. In your marriage, in work relationships, and in the church, the 100 factor of negativity is always in effect. If you are consistently Read more [...]
How deep is too deep for pastoral involvement in social media? In this episode, we discuss how pastors can lead through social media. Twitter and other places can be a cesspool, so dive in with caution. Do not use your children as a platform builder online. Be a kingdom builder online. Focus more on encouragement than anything else. Watch out for things that get on your nerves but are not sin issues. A good rule of thumb for shepherding online is to be 99% encouraging and only 1% corrective. Don't Read more [...]
Every pastor experiences a season of weariness and being tired. On this episode, we discuss how pastors can lead while tired. When you're tired as a church leader, it is important to know what to share with your spouse. When you're tired as a pastor, you must lead from a place of optimism and not negativity. Isolation is never good when you're tired as a church leader. Develop friends who can help you filter and discern what's next. When you're tired one key to a less stressful week is getting your Read more [...]
There are two types of sleep: BC and AD. Before Children and After Death. God does not take naps, but you might need one. Far too many pastors do not get a proper cycle of rest. In the fourth commandment, God set up a pattern of work and rest. This pattern goes back to the creation account in which God rested on the seventh day. Notice the connection between rest and salvation in Psalm 62: “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.” True rest is found only in God’s salvation. Read more [...]
A first impression is made in as little as seven seconds. Within a few moments, guests are beginning to form ideas—positive or negative—about your church. The first person a guest meets will influence the first impression. When a guest walks into the building, the first item they see will prompt them to form opinions about the church. These first impressions are universal. Businesses and schools deal with them. Everyone has first impressions. Even when you consciously try to be impartial, Read more [...]
Preaching is not the same as shepherding. The transition from preaching to pastoring involves building credibility through relationships. Pastors should be accessible to their congregation. Create a "GIP" list to start building relationships. The GIP list includes the top givers, influencers, and problem makers. When you meet with church members, ask them two questions. How did you come to know Jesus? How did you come to our church? Special Est.Church sponsor – Check out these resources Read more [...]
EST.church Podcast: When Pastors and Deacons Do Ministry Together
What Happened When We Changed the Order of Our Worship Services
Leading a Whiteboard Session with Your Staff or Church Leaders
EST.church Podcast: Should a Pastor Have Friends in the Church?
The 100 Factor of Negativity
EST.church Podcast: Getting Too Deep into Social Media