In This Issue. Upcoming Lectionary Texts. Wednesday, November 3, By Bob Harris

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1 1 of 5 11/4/2010 3:55 PM Wednesday, November 3, 2010 By Bob Harris The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) tells the new pastor, Joe, that the church wants to start using contemporary worship forms. He tries some that worked well in his previous church. After two months there s an uproar! Susan, a new associate pastor, is assigned to work with the youth and a liberal young couples group. Her liberal ideas outrage some powerful conservative leaders. Alex is confused by the session s inability to reach decisions on anything potentially controversial. What s happening? Has something like this happened to you or a friend? From conversations with the PNC, you thought that you had a really good understanding of the church. You had great ideas for fulfilling their dreams. But things fell apart! Did the PNC lie or intentionally misrepresent the situation? Many pastors have found themselves in all kinds of difficulty because they didn t take time to understand the inner dynamics, the system, of their new church. They didn t know who the real leaders were, what the untouchable practices or rooms or furniture were, or what landmines to avoid. Unexpectedly, they had to seek a new call. In This Issue Introduction Avoiding Some Hazards A Form for Interviewing Leaders Early in a Pastorate About the Writer Upcoming Lectionary Texts November 7 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Hag. 1:15b 2:9; Ps. 145: 1 5, or Ps. 98; 2 Thess. 2:1 5, 13 17; Luke 20:27 38 November 14 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Isa. 65:17 25; Isa. 12; 2 Thess. 3:6 13; Luke 21:5 19 November 21 Christ the King/Reign of Christ Jer. 23:1 6; Luke 1:68 79; Col. 1:11 20; Luke 23:33 43 November 28 1st Sunday of Advent (begin Lectionary Year A) Isa. 2:1 5; Ps. 122; Rom. 13:11 14; Matt. 24:36 44 Following is a simple questionnaire that has really

2 2 of 5 11/4/2010 3:55 PM helped me understand a new church. Several clients pastors new to a church as pastor, associate, or interim have found it helpful. A candidate could use it to interview a PNC in the final stages of discussion. Interview twenty-five to thirty-five leaders using these questions. Note that I say interview them don't just send this as a questionnaire. Use this as a springboard for conversation and then analyze your results. Share your insights with leaders. Describe reality as you see it. Explore questions and confusions. What are the norms of the congregation? What landmines have you uncovered? Here are the questions with some reflections about what you might discover. Date: Person: (Or group and its members) (Assure them that their answers will be confidential.) Tell me about a time When you felt especially proud of some members or leaders of your church you felt they were really following Christ. This will give clues about the heroes and heroines and what they did. What and who does this church honor and respect? 2. When you were disappointed with members or leaders. Listen for stories about how your predecessors disappointed this person. What do they tell you about the church s norms and its expectations for pastors? Are people supportive or critical? 3. When the church was particularly creative and exciting, and you knew the Holy Spirit was at work. Similar to #1, this tells about where the Spirit is working now. Subscribe to 'Hear the Word' Weekly Revised Common Lectionary podcast of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) How to Preach a Stewardship Sermon without Sounding Like You Are Begging for a Raise The route to a faithful stewardship sermon is the same as the route to any faithful sermon be biblical. Many pastors rank stewardship at the bottom of their list of favorite sermon topics because preaching on money too often feels like saying, The church needs your money so I can get my annual raise. Help is on the way. Stewardship can move up on your list when the focus is on God s Word. 1. Focus on the need of the giver to give, not the need of the church to receive. The Bible seldom mentions the need of the temple or the church to receive. Rather, the focus stays on the giver s need to give. Giving is an act of worship that acknowledges our dependence on God. Generous giving is an act of discipleship. 2. Focus on money s inherent threat. The Bible recognizes that money has the potential to be a huge roadblock in one s relationship with Jesus, who says, You cannot serve God and wealth (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13). In a land of so much affluence,

3 3 of 5 11/4/2010 3:55 PM 4. When fellow members were especially helpful to you. This gives an idea of the kind of mutual care that people expect and receive. 5. When being part of the church helped you deepen your faith. Is growing in faith an important value? Who leads in this process? What is the excitement level? 6. When church members resolved a conflict or difference effectively so that they exemplified the grace of Christ. What are norms around conflict? Do they even deal with conflict at all? How did former pastors handle differences? What do they expect of you? Other Questions 1. Tell me why you re glad you are in this church. This gives important clues to the church s strengths and challenges. It tells you whether leaders are close to burnout. 2. What makes people anxious? This is really important. Again, listen to what they say about previous pastors. It also tells you about what s going on in the community. 3. Why did you join this congregation instead of another church? (Did you try other churches?) 4. How was your experience in becoming part of this church; how easy was it to move from surface conviviality to deep friendship? (Or are you to the level of deep friendship?) These two questions tell you about whether this church has a spirit of welcome or simply a surface relationship. Vital churches demonstrate warm hospitality. 5. What have you especially valued about your pastors and other church staff? (Be specific.) Though this elicits positive regard, inevitably people will bring up old gripes. Note them, but push people to be aware of what they have valued. preachers and their listeners need to take this seriously. 3. Focus on money s inherent opportunity. Jesus provides us with an incredible promise when he says, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt. 6:21; Luke 12:34). Money has the ability to lead the heart. When we give generously to Christ s mission, we embrace Jesus promise that our hearts will be led to him as well. Please Note When a stewardship sermon is grounded in God s Word, it will encourage growth in relationship with Jesus and will not be a pitch for a raise. Presbyterian Handbook for Pastors (Louisville, KY: Geneva Press, 2008), 145. Prayer Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor and further us with your continual help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name, and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Book of Common Worship (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1994), 830.

4 4 of 5 11/4/2010 3:55 PM 6. What chronic frustrations or differences do you hope I can help the church deal with? This could open a big box, but listen anyway. Be clear that at this point you re listening and learning, that there is no way that you can handle everything. Youth Worker Summit SACRED SPACE for YOUTH WORKERS Gathering in Hope, Rekindling the Light 7. Who are those you especially respect as leaders? After doing twenty-five or so interviews, you ll have identified the real leaders. 8. Complete this sentence: God is calling this church to be.... This gives an indication of their sense of the church s identity. It should correspond closely with the mission and vision study done in preparation to seeking a pastor. 9. What do you think God wants your church to emphasize in the next three to five years? Similar to the preceding question, this gives an idea of the consensus around the church s stated priorities. This is critical to setting your priorities. 10. What else do I need to know in order to thrive in this church and community? One friend reflected on the culture shock he experienced in moving from the D.C. metro area to a small city in the Midwest. No matter where I am, I m always on duty, he mused. I almost always run into someone who knows who I am! He had to adjust to being much more visible. 11. Do you have any other concerns or suggestions? You may get nothing from this question, but it opens the door. If something does come up, listen for parallels in responses from others. Try using this (adapting the questions as you deem best). Listen and learn. It will help you avoid landmines, build a stronger leadership team, and thrive in your new church. The 2010 Youth Worker Summit, an ecumenical gathering, will bring together youth ministry leaders from judicatories and congregations across the country. Together, we will find Sacred Space to explore our unique experiences and a unified call. Space to rekindle Christ's light in our lives. Space for reassurance, renewal, strength, and hope for us as we serve young people and their families in many different contexts. Featured Leadership Phyllis Tickle Rodger Nishioka Celia Whitler December 1-4, 2010 at Disney Coronado Springs Resort

5 5 of 5 11/4/2010 3:55 PM Bob Harris is a semiretired Presbyterian pastor, now coaching pastors to be better leaders. See his Web site, bobharriscoaching.com, for more information. Lake Buena Vista, Florida For more info click here. Printer Friendly Click here for printer friendly version. Reprinted with permission from The Presbyterian Outlook. Copyright Permission given to the purchaser to copy this page for use in local church setting. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation Witherspoon St., Louisville, KY