Just as in their lives, pastors can keep their ministries healthy if they follow a disciplined regimen.
That diagnosis was offered by two speakers at the fourth annual Alabama Baptist Leadership/Church Growth Conference April 17-18 at First Baptist Church, Birmingham.
Speaking on “Dealing With the Demands of Ministry in the New Millennium,” Dale Huff, director of leadercare/church administration with the State Board of Missions, said a survey by the Church Ministers Association Group, offered the opinion that there are five main causes for termination of pastors.
Leadership skills
Huff identified the first as the issue of control, stressing control is not the same as power.
“When we have power, there is the tendency to let it corrupt us,” he said.
But Huff warned anyone who tries to control what a Southern Baptist church does will create conflict every time.
Poor people skills on the part of ministers was identified as the second reason.
“Ministry is people intensive. It’s a people intensive occupation,” he said. “When you work with people, there’s no end to the demands.”
Pastors should listen to people, Huff said. In doing so, he said they affirm their value.
Another reason he said pastors fail is because of resistance to change. While some can’t get enough change, he said others fight it — focusing instead on what they’re losing, before thinking about the gain.
“Your responsibility is to take the church from where it is, to where it ought to be,” he said.
A rigid leadership style and existing conflict were cited as the other two reasons ministers often fail. Huff said ministers should tap leadership in their churches to guard against being seen as too authoritarian.
Commenting on churches embroiled in past conflicts, he said leading them is possible, “but it’s tough.”
Huff said he is even more concerned with ministers who are terminated because of the survey’s No. 9 reason — sexual immorality. He told ministers it is often hard to please everyone, but they should receive a grade of 100 when it comes to their personal conduct and behavior.
He said sexual immorality is the last reason a pastor should ever be terminated.
“Go down in flames, but don’t go down in shame,” Huff said.
Mike Miller, director of leadership services division for LifeWay Christian Resources, complimented Huff’s information with his session on “Leader, Save Yourself” — telling ministers maintaining a healthy ministry is up to them.
“It’s your ministry. It’s your life. You can save it if you want to,” he said, suggesting three steps in “watching yourself” and saving a ministry: spiritual exercise, living an exemplary life and using spiritual gifts.
Taking inventory
“How are you doing in your own spiritual life?” Miller asked.
Miller shared a list compiled by a friend of his pointing out the seven sins of young, ambitious leaders:
They don’t accept people for who they are.
They believe preaching will change people.
They believe everybody wants to change.
They believe the few represent the many.
They believe worship will accelerate change.
They believe an expert will convince (the naysayers).
They imitate other preachers.
Miller recognized Timothy was even prompted by Paul to use his spiritual gifts.
“You cannot do the work God’s given you to do in your own power,” Miller said. “We follow, as leaders, the Holy Spirit.” (Jennifer Goode contributed)
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