There is a mindshift going on today when it comes to how pastors view their role and their congregation. In the past most pastors looked for volunteers who they could convince to fill some committee or ministry slot in the church. The result is that 80% of the people did 20% of the work. The pastor viewed these people as volunteers who had to be treated with kid gloves because they were donating their time. They also viewed the volunteers as followers instead of potential new leaders. So it was only natural for pastors to wake up in the morning with a long "to do" and asking "What must I do today to be effective?"
Over the past decade or two all of that has changed. Pastors are actually beginning to read the Bible from a New Testament viewpoint and that is changing everything.
Today, pastor's see themselves more as scouts and coaches more than pastors who care for people. They seek to match people to a ministry in or outside the church. They see everyone as missionaries and potential leaders. Instead of a "to do" list they have a "to be" list of servants they are coaching to be the future leaders. They hold the servants to the same standard of leaders as if they were paid, the only difference is the amount of time they are asked to invest. They wake up wondering who God will send their way they need to equip.
Instead of trying to fill slots within the church they develop some kind of farm system where they systematically raise up new leaders. The result is the 80% of the people are involved in ministry.
The shift looks something like this
The Past Today
- 80% do 20% of the work Every person a missionary
- Fill slots in church Match people to a ministry anywhere
- Leaders and followers Everyone can be a leader
- Hire from without Hire from within
- Volunteers Servants
- To Do list To Be list
- What must I do today Who will I equip today
- Fill committees Farm system
- Pastor Scout and Coach
Which side of the picture best represents your church and what changes might you need to make in order to be faithful and fruitful?
Over the past decade more and more of our ministry at 21st Century Strategies has shifted toward coaching leaders to make the mindshifts needed to navigate the 21st century.
