Thousands of pastors and other church leaders are in established churches of all sizes in various locations. Most of them desire growth and a renewed vision for the church. And yet hardly a day goes by that I do not talk to a pastor who is struggling, but desiring to see his ministry make a difference for the kingdom.

The median age of pastors in America is 44. Only 6 percent of all pastors are 65 or older. Retirement by the age of 65 "is not an admission of defeat but a welcome respite from the pressures of full-time pastoral duty." And in 70 percent of the churches in America, the pastor is the only full-time staff person. In this environment he is often expected to be omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.

It is little wonder that many pastors have such little emotional reserves to lead a church in the discovery and implementation of its vision. Christian researcher George Barna says it well: "Ministry is tough work, and thousands of pastors bear the scars to prove it. Although many lay leaders idealize the work of the clergy, the harsh reality is that, despite the best efforts of these learned individuals and regardless of the high and holy nature of the calling, pastoring a church is more burdensome than most people realize."

If you are a pastor or church leader who understands well the reality of the previous sentence, you may have serious doubts about your ability to lead a church toward a new vision. You may agree with some of the pundits who have declared the demise of the effective established church.

Certainly some changes must take place for more of these churches to be effective, but determining the extent and pace of these changes requires wisdom from God. For most pastors, the process will be painfully slow, "one bite at a time." And the first "bite," the first step, will be directed to the pastor. If you are really ready to discover and implement God's vision in your church, it begins with you, the pastor. Or better stated, it begins with God as He works in you and through your ministry.

If you are indeed willing to take the first step, I invite you to read the first five questions out of this two part, 10-question article. The questions are hard-hitting but necessary. Leading an established church to growth is a laborious task, but the rewards can be many. The relationship between the pastor and God is a critical first step in a long-term process.

1. How Is Your Prayer Life?

Pastors, church leaders, let us get painfully honest with each other and with God. Most of us have so many demands on our lives that prayer takes a back seat to everything else. Recent studies have shown that the average American pastor spends from 15 to 22 minutes daily in prayer. And one of four pastors spends less than 10 minutes daily in prayer.

A small group of believers in the first Christian church "joined together constantly in prayers" (Acts 1:14). The prayers of the early church unleashed the power of God to add thousands to the church. It happened then. It is happening today in some traditional churches once thought to be at death's door. It can happen in your church if your people are praying, but do not expect others to have a priority of prayer unless you are first sold out. How is your prayer life?

2. Whom Did You Tell about Jesus Today?

I have heard it said often that the laity in our church must do the witnessing since they are the ones who have regular contact with non-Christians. Such a statement is true, but I am afraid that many vocational ministers use that truth as a convenient excuse not to witness. The reality is that we may have more opportunities because of our position. Regardless, God will honor our prayers if we ask Him for witnessing opportunities.

You are probably sincere in your desire to see God's vision for your church. Vision is an outward focus of God's possibilities. Can we really expect Him to show us that vision unless we are outwardly focused ourselves? Whom did you tell about Jesus today?

3. How Is Your Family Life?

A wise pastor offered me one bit of advice when I shared with him that God had called me to be a pastor. "Do not neglect your family," he said. "You will live to regret it." I conveniently forgot his words of wisdom when I accepted the call to pastor my first church.

My family life has not been perfect, but the commitment is still genuine today. Do you remember Paul's word to a young pastor named Timothy? "If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" (1 Tim. 3:5). Wow! Those words are powerful! God will reveal His vision for your established church after you have your family priorities in order. How is your family life?

4. Do You Need to Reconcile with Someone?

Imagine that you are praying to God to reveal His vision for your church. You are burdened to discover how your traditional church can make a difference for the kingdom. In the midst of your request, you hear the voice of God say "No, way!" You would be shocked to say the least.

Though such a scenario may not be completely accurate, the theological truth is on target. Jesus said, "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (Matt. 5:23-24). At another point Jesus said, "But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (6:15).

Jesus obviously placed a high value on the relationships between
Christians. In fact, God refuses to accept our worship and service until we are in right relationship with others. Perhaps the reason we sense that our churches are stagnant is that we have a broken relationship that needs healing. Do you need to reconcile with someone?

5. Are You Handling Your Finances Biblically?

Too many ministers are poorly compensated. Sometimes, however, it is not the level of compensation that is the problem. Rather it is our handling of the money. Is your lifestyle on that honors Christ? Could you make some adjustments to downscale your lifestyle? Do you give abundantly and cheerfully, well beyond the tithe? Do you have a budget so that you can manage your money well? Do you incur as little debt as possible? Are you handling your finances biblically?

In my next article we will look at the next five issues that are requisite to leadership, especially in the established church. I pray for pastors around our nation regularly, and though I probably do not know you by name, God knows you are in those prayers and in His hands.