Over twenty years of consulting with more than 40 denominations has allowed me to see some common tactical mistakes made by church leaders. Although I have seen many mistakes, six stand out as the most common tactical mistakes made by church leaders (I have ranked them according to the damage they can do to a church’s ministry). Usually these mistakes are hallmarks of declining congregations. So if you church is declining, and you are doing any of the following, it will be in your best interest to change your tactics.
Mistake Number One -failure to combine evangelism and social justice into the fabric of the church. The entire debate between traditional and emergent churches stems from this failure. Any form of reductionism truncates the Gospel.
Mistake Number Two -putting a long section of announcements at the beginning of the worship service. It’s like tuning into the beginning of a sitcom only to find all of the commercials loaded up front before anything else happens. Instead, begin worship with a rousing piece of music that says “Something great is going to happen here today.” If you have to do announcements, don’t lead off with them. Please.
Mistake Number Three – making the first staff hire a Youth Director instead of a Worship Leader. Most church leaders still have not gotten the message – the world we live in has one universal language – Music, and mostly Rock n Roll.
Mistake Number Four – the lead pastor in a church under five hundred in worship does not personally contact first time guests within 48 hours. I know much of the prevailing wisdom is people are more likely to return to your church if the laity visits them. It’s just not so. Pastor, if your church is under five hundred in worship, visit your first time guests within 48 hours.
Mistake Number Five -hiring Associate Pastors who are generalists rather than specialists. The day of generalists is coming to an end.
Mistake Number Six -asking a paid, retired Associate Pastor to be responsible for visiting the guests. Our experience is that people under the age of 40 respond better to someone either their age or younger than they are.
Bill Easum
www.churchconsultations.com
easum@aol.com
by: Barry Winders 8/24/09
Great stuff...thanks.
by: Andy McAdams 10/17/09
After spending almost 45 years attending church and not understanding what it actually meant to be "born again" I heard from God - in answer to a prayer, while riding on a Greyhound bus. That was over 34 years ago and I have learned to rejoice, living - in Christ, as compared to trying to find life - in church. So, my first thought about the purpose of church is to declare the supremacy of Christ - in and through the members of the church. Yes, with music to lift our spirits, but then, a serious declaration of the purpose for the church. Stop referring to the job titles of the (salaried) leaders and instead refer to them as the "shepherds" they have been called to be. And then, encourage all to become "ministers" of reconciliation to the communities in which they live. I have a feeling that is what was taking place in the first century when the spread of Christianity turned the world "right side up".
by: Sherwood MacRae 10/20/09
Good food for thought. Mistakes 1 and 2 are right on, not sure about number 4, I have seen statistics that would seem to point to the greater effectiveness of the non-pastors in this role. Also, I do wish people would stop talking about "hiring" pastors. Pastors are not hirelings, they are called of God to minister.
by: Eric MacKinnon 10/20/09
I don,t think that the number four will be that easy for the pastor,considering the work load.
by: ijeoma onyekwere 10/26/09
Pastors are not called into the ministry to live a life of ease, Mr. Onyekwere. Pastors are expected to do what it takes to get the job done. Thank you for your service and dedication to the Great Commission.
by: Byron VanArsdale 11/7/09