Ep. 003 | The Need for Leadership in Church Revitalization
5 Big Rocks of Church Revitalization | #2 - Leadership
Effective Leadership is a Required Element in Church Revitalization
August 1, 2024
Episode 3: Show Notes
In this episode of the Revitalize My Church podcast, hosts Bart Blair and Nathan Bryant discuss the critical role of leadership in church revitalization. As the second of their "five big rocks" of revitalization (unity, leadership, team, plan, and launch), leadership is identified as the most important component for success in renewing a church's vision and direction.
The hosts begin by emphasizing the biblical pattern of God calling leaders to guide His people through significant challenges and changes. They reference Psalm 78:70-72, which describes how God chose David to shepherd Israel with integrity and skill. This passage highlights the importance of a leader's character and ability to effectively guide others.
The conversation then turns to the common tendency of churches to prioritize finding a pastor who excels in preaching and shepherding, while overlooking the critical need for strong leadership skills. The hosts stress that a pastor must be able to not only communicate well and care for the congregation but also cast a compelling vision and mobilize people to work together towards a common goal.
When searching for a new pastor, the hosts recommend that churches look for evidence of a candidate's ability to inspire and lead others in their previous roles. This could include examining how they built and empowered volunteer teams, developed strategic plans, and achieved significant goals in partnership with others. They also emphasize the importance of assessing a candidate's character, integrity, and interpersonal skills, as these qualities greatly impact a leader's effectiveness.
For pastors currently leading a church in need of revitalization, the hosts offer encouragement and practical advice. They suggest that these leaders start by prayerfully envisioning what a thriving, fruitful future could look like for their church. By writing down this "big dream" and sharing it with others, pastors can begin to gauge the level of trust and support they have within the congregation.
The hosts also urge pastors to invest in their own leadership development by seeking out mentors, learning from successful leaders in various fields, and asking for honest feedback on their leadership skills. They emphasize the importance of shifting from a mindset of "managing" people to truly leading and inspiring them towards a shared vision.
Throughout the episode, the hosts reference Todd Bolsinger's book "Canoeing the Mountains," which compares church leadership to the Lewis and Clark expedition. Just as the explorers had to adapt their approach when faced with unexpected challenges, church leaders must be prepared to guide their congregations through uncharted territory. The hosts highlight a key quote from the book: "No one is going to follow you off the map unless they trust you on the map." This underscores the importance of building trust and credibility with the congregation before attempting to lead them through significant changes.
The episode concludes with a reminder that leading a church through revitalization is a challenging journey that requires thick skin, grace, and perseverance.
Some key takeaways and scripture references from this episode include:
1. God calls and equips leaders to guide His people through challenges and changes (Psalm 78:70-72).
2. Effective church leadership requires a combination of strong preaching, shepherding, and leadership skills (Psalm 78:72).
3. When searching for a new pastor, churches should look for evidence of a candidate's ability to inspire, mobilize, and lead others towards a shared vision (Proverbs 29:18).
4. Pastors seeking to revitalize their churches should start by prayerfully envisioning a thriving future and sharing that vision with others (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
5. Investing in personal leadership development is crucial for pastors leading their churches through revitalization (Proverbs 11:14).
6. Building trust and credibility with the congregation is essential before attempting to lead them through significant changes (1 Timothy 3:2-7).
7. Leading a church through revitalization requires perseverance, grace, and a willingness to face challenges head-on (James 1:2-4).