Administrative Skills Development
Lots of ministry settings have laity who are skilled and gifted in administrative leadership; but clergy still need to develop a proficient level of administrative ability. When we strengthen our administrative skillset, it’s the same as putting WD40 on a squeaky device to make the device operate more efficiently. Whether it’s the annual Charge conference meeting or other administrative responsibilities, the tasks are less intimidating when we’ve honed our administrative skillset.
Communication
The nature of ministry and life as a pastor can sometimes be a pendulum that sways between joyful, fulfilling, and stable to uncomfortable, awkward, confusing, and maybe even frightening. Some pastors find themselves in moments that fall short of desired expectations of themselves or their congregations. The foundational challenge is often based on our inability to communicate well. Here’s the ironic thing, pastors are professional communicators. Yet, we sometimes experience frightening communication gaffs that make us feel like poor communicators. Pastors also discover (when it’s too late) that they serve conflict-driven congregations stuck in harmful drama. One does not have to be gifted to communicate well, we only need to use the tools and best practices that result in conflict management and strong communication.
Conflict Resolution
Do we resolve, manage, or eliminate conflict? Which is it? Some ministry settings can feel like a place of never-ending conflict and drama. In one appointment, I was asked if conflict was in the congregation’s DNA. I responded, “if so, we need a spiritual transfusion regardless of the cause of the conflict.” I don’t think it’s realistic to believe we can remove all conflict from ministry settings, however, I have experienced and seen other pastors lead congregations into significantly modified behavioral reductions of conflict. I’ve seen it done and have been blessed to lead churches through it.
Cross Cultural & Cross Racial Ministry
There’s nothing magic about creating fruitful CRCC ministry settings, but there are tried and true techniques, tools, and practices that lead to wonderful pairings. Denominational leadership has spent countless hours and resources trying to help clergy and congregations navigate cross-racial & cross-cultural (C.R./C.C.) ministry partnerships. In some situations, a failure of CR/CC pairings is predictable when considering the lack of preparation of the pastor and congregation for such a match. With prior preparation, the CR/CC match can be a fulfilling blessing beyond imagination. I’m passionate about sharing my decades of experience in this area because I’ve lived and seen the best and worst of clergy and congregations embroiled in dysfunction. During my tenure as a District Superintendent, I helped and guided pastors and congregations into healthy models of ministry.
Clergy & Lay Leadership
It’s true that it all begins with the quality of the leadership. With Christ as our leader, effective ministry is more than possible for clergy and laity. The practice of definitive leadership best practices (along with great communication) will turn any ministry and congregation into a joyful healthy place of ministry. However, we must put in the work to make it happen.
Ministry Short-term & Long-term Planning
I’ve never forgotten what a well-trained military veteran told me. He said, “Prior preparation prevents poor performance” and he was absolutely right! The other true cliché is this, “failure to plan is a plan to fail.” It doesn’t matter if the plan is a great success or not, what matters is the intentional prayer, time, and effort put into creating a God-size plan.
Organization & Structure
Some pastors are gifted and talented in the ministries of organization and structure while others struggle. For those of us who are not gifted in organizing, we must develop tools and practices that make our ministry settings run smoothly. Several tried-and-true practices and tools can help strengthen our skills. Let’s get started on this today.
Preaching
Every preacher has ebbs and flows of sermon delivery. We self-evaluate, analyze, self-critique, and try to present the best and most effective message possible. If (or when) we feel that we are not at our best, it’s never too late to take advantage of coaching help in our preaching. Now might be a good time to review, tweak, and employ tools and techniques that make us stronger proclaimers of the gospel.
Self-Care
Surveys of pastors reveal that a lack of self-care is among the top ministry challenges. Some years ago, I heard someone say aloud, “clergy are expendable.” Friends, neither clergy nor laity are expendable! However, we do sometimes feel expendable. A significant counterbalance is strong self-care. We must practice self-care in ways that demonstrate our Godly worth and value to ourselves before we can show others their Godly worth and value.
Spiritual Development
Many lay people (and some pastors) assume that pastors are deeply spiritual and spiritually mature. In fact, pastors must be intentional in practicing the spiritual disciplines that lead to unshakable spiritual faith. Our time together will enable you to lead, minister, teach, and make disciples as scripture calls describe.
Stewardship
Every congregation/ministry setting has unique thoughts and practices regarding Stewardship. Knowing the “how” and “why” of your congregation’s stewardship practices can provide and lead to Christ-centered strategies. There are many proven ways of leading a church to extravagant generosity for the benefit of the church and community.
Stress Reduction
Truthfully, I’ve experienced levels of stress that sometimes kept me from hours of peaceful rest despite my best efforts. For me, a change and transformation of body, mind, and spirit led to radical stress reduction. A combination of prayer, medical guidance, and intentional stress reduction techniques led me to discover the necessary changes, practices, and techniques I needed to make to reduce and manage stress. Let’s do this together.
Team Building
The greatest and most effective pastors build and sustain ministry teams. Lone ranger pastoring has proven ineffective, isolating, and a fast track to burnout. Let’s look at how a ministry team is built and maintained for more effective ministry.
Time Management
“Why am I always running behind or late?” “I usually get it all done, but my patterns are stressful and probably not my most effective ministry.” Friends, I once was the guy who left too late for the meeting, arrived late, and developed a reputation as “the late Ted.” It was embarrassing, uncomfortable, and totally unnecessary. If this is your struggle, let's discuss and practice the tools and techniques to help manage your time more effectively. One of the most effective and productive pastors I know once confessed in a training event saying, “I used to be terrible at time management. I’m not gifted or talented at it, so I had to learn.” Let's figure out the time management tools that might work best for you.
Visioning
Visioning and discernment are essential for both the pastor and the congregation. Effective pastors regularly discern God’s vision for their lives, which enables the pastor to discern a clear vision for the congregation. Let’s explore this together.
