Ep. 006 | Cultivate a Thriving Church Culture - Keith Minier
The Culture of Your Church is as Critical as Your Strategy
Revitalization Pastors See Themselves as Architects of a Church Culture
September 15, 2024
Episode 6 Show Notes
In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, host Bart Blair interviews Pastor Keith Minier of Grace Fellowship Church in Ohio. Pastor Keith shares his experiences leading the church over the past 20 years, from when he first arrived as a young pastor to a congregation of just 65 people, to the thriving multi-site church it is today with over 4,000 attendees.
Pastor Keith recounts how he transitioned from working as a chemist to becoming a full-time pastor, emphasizing that growing a megachurch was never his goal. Instead, he focused on pursuing Jesus and doing the next right thing. He discusses the importance of creating a healthy church culture, both for the congregation and the staff. Grace Fellowship Church's staff culture is defined by three words: healthy, hungry, and humble.
When it comes to the congregation, Pastor Keith highlights the church's relentless pursuit of both evangelism and discipleship, refusing to choose one over the other. He also stresses the importance of excellence in ministry and engaging the community.
Reflecting on the early days of his pastorate, Pastor Keith shares how he had to define reality, expose the congregation to different models and opportunities, and help them exit their current context to embrace new strategies. He emphasizes the need for patience and earning credibility through small victories.
Pastor Keith discusses the importance of hiring the right people, especially in the early stages of church growth. He recommends hiring committed generalists who buy into the culture, can represent the pastor well, and are willing to build alongside the leader. He refers to the book "Canoeing the Mountains" by Tod Bolsinger, encouraging leaders to hire explorers rather than specialists.
When asked about the principles behind Grace Fellowship Church's community outreach, Pastor Keith emphasizes the importance of relationships and creating "third spaces" for relational building. He also notes the value of gritty, old-school service projects that involve the congregation directly, rather than relying solely on polished, large-scale events.
Pastor Keith candidly shares some of the challenges he faced during his tenure, including family struggles, staff issues, and personal growth. He recounts times when he felt overwhelmed by the church's growth and had to confront his own limitations. He also shares lessons learned from listening to the wrong voices and making decisions too quickly.
Throughout the conversation, Pastor Keith underscores the significance of surrounding oneself with people who are unimpressed by titles and willing to speak the truth. He also highlights the importance of curating and applying the knowledge gained from books, podcasts, and other resources.
The interview concludes with Pastor Keith emphasizing the need for leaders to lead, even when it means making unpopular decisions and navigating challenges. He stresses the value of maintaining the right values and surrounding oneself with people who can provide accountability and support.