Supersize Your Weekend!

Chuck Colson graciously responds to some questions from Mark Driscoll.

Skye Jethani asks, "Are Megachurches Birthing the House Church Movement?"

Barna poll shows pastors are good motivators but poor strategists.

Comments

[Paul Loeffler]

I was intrigued at the Barna article. It makes me wonder how churches can find that person in their congregation. How can I find that person for MLYD? I'm thinking it would be good for me to review my spiritual leadership gifts (going to the sight listed), as well as read how better to use the gifts around me. On the negative (there always is, isn't there), I wonder how much of this strategic, spiritual gift, leadership stuff is strictly our culture? In other words, I wonder if Jesus was interested in this stuff? What kind of leader was Jesus? Did He set out to be a certain kind of leader consciously? I know - He is/was God, so let's ask the question about the apostles. The argument could be made that the early church could have done so much better had they had (name something the church needs today). I wonder if sometimes we rely to much on strategy, special giftings, or something else instead of on the leading of the Spirit and trusting Him with the outcome... even if that outcome looks like a small church that's not growing numerically. Could it be that He doesn't want it to? What if that leader is right where he's supposed to be, and God's using the gifts he does have in spite of the lack of other gifts? So, a long comment endeavoring to look at both sides of an issue. What ya think?

[James]

Thanks for stopping by, Paul.

Since Jesus was the complete package I think it's tempting for pastors to try to be the complete package for their ministries too. Honestly accessing one's strengths and weaknesses is a vital excercise for leaders becuase it helps us diagnose what our organizations need most to be successful. And this is where the Body of Christ comes to the rescue, bringing balance and removing blind spots. That's not to say that organizations won't have their own distinctive strengths or overall weaknesses. But we owe it to those we lead to be honest.

I think a large component in this equation is humility. It takes humility to realize, "I need XYZ because God hasn't made me XYZ." It then takes more humility to communicate that need on an individual basis. "I need your help."

Regarding strategic leadership I would concur with Barna's research. I think many times energy, time and resources are waisted in the church because of poor thinking and planning. But it requires risk and humility to involve others in the process. Admitting, as a leader, that you're poor at implementing the vision in specific detail is admitting weakness. Most would probably find this difficult.