A Seismic Shift In Leadership
Hey Friends and Leaders,
For the last week I have shared thoughts on leadership, which is one of my favorite topics. Because everything rises and falls on leadership! I have decided to make a large leap in my leadership which will be very difficult for me. I love our staff and all the people I get to lead. Obviously we treat staff differently than volunteers. In my 27 years of ministry I have tried to lead by, and with, love. But what do I do when the staff doesn’t do what I want? My past M.O. has been to let it go and hope they will want to do it.
This month I celebrated my 13th year as the Senior Pastor of FPC. I made a pretty big decision while I was in Sydney: I have decided that if a staff member asks me if they can do something and I don’t want them to, I will now say NO. In the past I would say, “That is probably not a good idea, but go ahead if you feel led.” Not any more. Now it will be, “NO.” I have let ministries go in directions that I thought was wrong, but I would let it go and let them try. Not any more. All ministries of FPC will line up with the vision, values, and goals of the church or they will not do it.
I thought many of the staff would see I loved them and follow out of love and respect. It did not happen! We have a great staff, without question. The best we have ever had!!! But together, going in the same direction we can go even farther in glorifying God, winning souls and building the greatest church since the day of Pentecost. I can already tell you most of the Pastors and staff will be thrilled. For others, change is hard. One day I will stand before the Bema Seat of Judgement. I will be responsible for the direction of this church and so I have to keep growing and improving as a leader for us to achieve our redemptive potential.
How do you see it?
Yours to count on,
Pastor
18 Comments
Pastor Chris, please be encouraged you are a fantastic leader and pastor! I have been blessed because of how God has used your obedience to minister to me when I was at FPC. Being planted at a church halfway across the world I have found the best leadership to follow is a leader who knows where they are heading. Keep going mate! People will follow
Wow. Uhm, that’s impressive. I think that’s a great idea. The vision of the church is guided prayerfully by a group of leaders, so I think it’s correct to follow God’s direction and not be sidetracked.
And you’re not a bullhead. I remember a sermon that you gave when you briefly talked about your family, where your kids could always make a righteous appeal to any decision you made. As long as staff members can prayerfully make a righteous appeal to decisions, I think that holding to the vision that God gives the church as well as humanly possible is wonderful.
Hi Pastor Chris,
When I walked into the Garden Plaza Hotel and experienced the awesome power God had placed on the people who had the vision for a “new” kind of church where the people followed the leadership because God had made it clear they were headed in the right direction….no more ugly church business meetings (who cares what color the carpet is or any other decisions that don’t matter in the forever….just bringing people into an awesome life of serving God and discipling others to do the same is all that matters.
Satan loves to get us sidetracked. Thanks for keeping your eyes on Jesus. I love the idea of the team to lead other churches out of the “politics” and into lovingly following Jesus’ lead.
Thanks for all you do!!! Patty Walden
Really appreciate your leadership. Keep it up, bro!
And, um… I guess you can tell me no anytime.
One of the toughest parts in leadership is the decision making. Deciding to say yes or saying no. With out being in your shoes, one of your toughest decisions to me would be understanding GOD directions and plans for FPC. Listening to his direction, his plan for FPC. Passing this on to the staff and congregation will be hard for some to accept. You have often said that at least you tried and that you did and will continue to do as long as you have breath to breathe. Yes you are responsible for FPC. Where does your responsiblity end and ours (FPC) begin? Our responsibility should be to daily lift you, the staff and the congregation up in prayer to seek GOD’s plan for use. Love you pastor. Keep up the great work.
Rea, thanks you guys are great. I’m really not bumbed out. I just want everyone moving in the right direction. love ya
Andy, Your the man. I really appreciate all you do and your insight.
Patty, You’ve been here for the whole ride and have a great perspective. thanks
Kyle, Your such a great addition to our staff and i so appreciate all you do for the Lord and His Kindgom
P-Roy, You also have been here for the whole ride and you have helped so much. Great to watch you grow and to have you on our first elder group. Love ya man
Matthew 12:25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. You go Pastor Chris.
DP,
The pace of the LEADER determines the speed of the pack! You are the HEAD SHEPHERD of GOD’S flock @ FPC, and as such are held responsible by our FATHER in HEAVEN for the well being of the Flock HE has entrusted to you.
I commend you for your faith, courage, and commitment in taking the wheel and LEADING us all to follow THE KING, and not being afraid to “step up to the plate!”
Our journey has been an awesome one, and the BEST is yet to Come!
Love you my Brother,
JB
Trish, thanks for the verse and all of your support. love ya
J.B. I love ya man. thanks for the prayer coverage. I know I can count on you. DR. P
You are wise and caring to respect and have faith in the individual gifts of support staff, HOWEVER you are also wise to realize God doesn’t give you (the senior Pastor) a vision and/or instructions that require approval, modification or addition by others. If I ever came to you with an idea, vision, etc and you were not comfortable with it but said for me to go ahead if I feel led, I would immediately NOT do it, re seek what I felt God saying to me then WAIT for His confirmation through YOU. If I did not get a confirmation through you I would rest that I am not hearing clearly. If I am going to make a mistake, it will be assuming I am not hearing clearly and not that I will continue to move forward with something my senior pastor is uncomfortable with. Honor and Loyalty 101 !
Chris: Ur doing a great job and I think ur decision is a good one. All organizations grow and mature and when they do it becomes even more important to shift from an organic style of leadership to a more disciplined style. You mentioned that pain is a companion to leadership. I would submit that it is “lonelyness”, which of course can be painful. When God gives u a vision, u have to be like a tree planted by the water, you can’t be moved. Whether employees, family, friends, or advisors, come against ur vision, u have to stand firm, and that can be very lonely. Imagine Job! Keep up the great work. Ur on our prayers!
UNFORTUNATELY, I am not able to attend Faith Promise very often because I no longer live in Knoxville. However, my “relationship” with Jesus was developed there and I consider it to be the best church on the face of the planet – end of story! Forgive me for “looking back” but it does not get any better than Faith Promise.
Folks should remember Church leadership is not a bi-partisan democracy. God gives the Pastor singular vision for the direction of a flock, and it’s up to him to lead, and he will answer to God for his leadership. A shepherd doesn’t ask his flock which direction they should go, or there would be a mess with a LOT of lost sheep. This cannot and will not happen at FPC. Your congregation is with you on this one, because you watch over our souls.