GlocalNet

Zechariah 13:7 “. . . . smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered . . . ”  Years ago, Tom Wolfe, who was then pastor of Church on Brady showed a group of us that verse and begin to explain the impact of long-term pastorates.  I think that concept is finally sinking in to many churches and pastors today.  He shared that in the early church, the pastors stayed and the politicians moved around, but that today it’s the other way around.  The result is churches and pastors that aren’t engaged in their communities, or cities - as well the lack of long term strategic leadership.  Rick Warren has said the same thing.  If you’re long-term you make different decisions than if you’re short term. 

Many of my friends that I grew up with in life and pastored with in the early days are still shocked I’ve been at NorthWood almost 25 years - as hyper and as all over the page as I am - sometimes I am too!  But the reality is, it has been 5 different churches and even now is going through another metamorphosis.
So, how do you do that? 

1.  Know clearly what God has called you to.  It’s more than just good preaching.  That’s essential - but if you look closely at churches where the pastor has been there a long time - generally the pastor is more than just a preacher - he’s an exceptional leader.  A few years back a study was done on several pastors of leading churches and what was discovered was these men had the same attributes of key leaders in business, government, and other domains of society.  It’s not a call to preach - it’s a call to lead people somewhere and preaching is one of the tools. 

2.  Know where you are going and keep moving in that direction.  I’ve seen many fads come and go.  Your church is not a fad - it’s a body.  It is headed somewhere.  Use tools and lessons from other churches but know clearly where you are headed and what your DNA is.  I’m not talking about a yearly calendar, verse, and theme - I’m talking about knowing your unique imprint.  For me it’s about “glocal transformation” - it’s about building a global church.  Each year will have unique aspects, plans, etc., but the overriding vision is the same. 

3.  Shift as needed.  I was on the tail end of “boomer” churches, then post-modern - now there is emerging a kind of global consciousness.  The challenge most churches have is they tie into the culture they began in too tightly and as the culture changes they don’t shift with it.  To them, the mission is that point in time culture.  I don’t believe you should start a church for your generation - I believe you should start a church for the next generation - if you do that, you’ll always have “change” in your DNA. 

4.  Keep on growing, in your personal walk with God, in your leadership style, in your theology, in your character, in every way.  Read, have mentors, study other churches & organizations.  Travel is HUGE.  Travel is one thing most global churches have in common - their people are global and it begins to shape the local.  It will mean shifts in your preaching as you are learning and leading.  Keep in mind, for a long term pastor, preaching is not about the sermon, it’s about the direction and the accomplishment of where the vision is going. 

5.  Keep on growing those around you.  Most people like a safe direction - if you make it long-term it will be because you shift things along the way and people will have to get out of their comfort zones.  This has huge implications for what your leadership structure is, how pliable it is.  It has huge implications for the kind of staff you have around you and who the key leaders in that staff are. 

6.  Have people around you that you can trust that speak into you - and listen to them.  If you can trust no one, you’re in trouble.  There are those “Moses” moments where you have to lead out alone - but even then, there is Aaron (and yes he gets sideways with Miriam) but on the whole we have to keep in mind, we are the body of Christ, each speaking into each other. 

7.  Expect difficulties.  It’s hard, and there are always challenges.  I remember thinking when we ran 200, “If we just had that one more staff member. . . ”.  Then when we were 400, “if we could just increase giving . . . ”. Then when we were 1,000, “If we just had a bigger worship center. . . ”. Then when we began to work in the world, “If we could just . . .” There are several of those going on with me right now.  They are what keep me focused and moving. 

8.  Hold it loosely - in the end - and at the beginning - it’s his church - not yours or mine.  If you are there, lead - or let someone else.  Let your identity be in Christ and what he has called you to do - not your “position” or pastorate.  Pastoring is a function - not a calling.  God and his kingdom is the calling - and that one is what drives everything else.  Get your eye off that, and you’re head of a corporation.