This is a series of posts about redefining what being a pastor means, and the ideas and challenges that make us better. We’ll be taking our time and talking about a lot of ideas.
2. “I’ve Heard All That Before…”
I’ve been a part of some AMAZING churches and I have known some INCREDIBLE leaders. I have also known some real duds (both churches and pastors). And one thing that I find is consistent in the “dud” leaders and churches, is their lack of awareness in what they DO know and what they DON’T know.
For example: I went to a MIND BLOWING leadership conference and sat under some of the most gifted leaders and speakers and I cramped up my hand because I couldn’t write fast enough and get all the knowledge and ideas down on paper. And anyone that knows me, knows that I can’t keep hardly anything in my head, hence the hand cramps from writing. And after 2-3 days of ideas, vision, leadership, and encouragement from this conference, we had a debrief with all the people from our church who attended.
During this lunch debrief, a question was asked of the pastor…the conversation went something like this:
ME: “So, what was your primary takeaway from this event?”
DUD PASTOR: “Oh, well….You know, I’ve heard all that before…so nothing really new.”
ME: “….???…..What?”
DUD PASTOR: “Well, you know, I’ve heard this thought and that idea before and I’ve read all those books, so, there was nothing really new for me.”
ME: “So, if you KNOW all that stuff, why are you not on that stage and leading your church better?”
DUD PASTOR: “……?????…..”
Let’s get a few things out of the way. No, there really are not any new idea under the sun. And yes, someone else has probably done it before, and done it better. And yes, many of the ideas at most of these types of events are retreads of other, older ideas. But, you have to realize that you have blind spots and weaknesses that need to be addressed, and the point of many of the conferences we attend, is to encourage us and give us different views on common issues. So with that in mind, let’s look at some ideas to help Redefine Pastor.
- A leader is always a learner. You can learn from anyone: from their sucesses and their failures.
- A leader is a reader. If you aren’t reading something ie. books or magazines like Wired, Fast Company, and Men’s Health, or something else culturally relevant. For book ideas, you can go to my READING LIST for ideas. I read a lot of blogs. You can look at my Random Blogroll and find a TON of amazing people and ideas.
- A leader seeks to find people who challenge them and make them better. Find a mentor, or a counselor, or someone who can invest themselves in your life and make you all that God wants you to be.
- Get over yourself…If you were THAT good, YOU’D be speaking and not Craig Groeschel or Andy Stanley.
- Saying that you’ve heard all those ideas before is not leading by example…ALWAYS find a nugget of wisdom, because when you don’t you just look like an arrogant ass.
- If you’ve heard all of it before, then find a NEW conference to go to or find a new way to learn. Instead of reading a book, listen to an audio book during your daily drive. Instead of attending a conference, find a intensive or college/seminary course. Use the internet. Read blogs…
- Realize that if you have all the answers, you no longer need God, and when you no longer need God, He will no longer need you…..to lead His church.
- Visit some other churches and ask a lot of questions about what is working for them and what isn’t.
- Ask someone to visit YOUR church and ask THEM what is working and what isn’t.
- Learn some humility, and ask God to show you all the areas where you need to grow. Ask God to show you all your weaknesses and your blind spots. Seek God first, and He will give you the desires of your (His) heart. Funny, I read that statement somewhere…
Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think. How do YOU learn new things?
most of my learning comes from example, from a person whom I look up to. i dont do a lot of reading at all but when i see fire in someone like craig groeschel and believe in what he is about, i also get fired up. i actually am almost done reading his book. i would have been done last week but i had the Women of Faith conference which was amazing to say the least. now those women are inspiring! i learned that everyone, yes everyone has j-u-n-k and i am way beyond blessed with the j-u-n-k that i have (or don’t have). Dave was amazing as well, to see your husband change from “Dave-guitarguy-Ness” to “Spirit filled preacher” was incredible. i was in another world all day yesterday. i too wonder just what makes a preacher a preacher. Cemetary?(seminary) and a piece of paper from a college? or is it Passion, understanding, and anointing? i choose that!
thank you for being you. you helped one guitar guy see his God potential, rather you like it or not, just think about the pattern of what has happened in our lives since Dave’s heart was restarted 2/6/07. some pretty amazing stuff, and it started because YOU listened to God. We cant thank you enough! We love you guys!
I appreciate all that you said. God puts people in our paths for different reasons, and perhaps, SID and I coming to hospital that day in ’07 was a Davine Moment that God pre-ordained so that Dave would be ready for last Sunday?
I can’t wait to see you and Dave and Carly….2 weeks…….
In praise of the incomplete leader…we all have blind spots and the best of leaders acknowledge their shortfalls. Only then do they have the ability to surround themselves with the talent needed to achieve the broader vision of the organization. This scenario assumes 1) the leader has the reflective capability to understand where he/she is weak, 2) the humility to reach out to others to mitigate those weaknesses and 3) the strength to empower those surrounding folks with the authority to act within their talents and areas of responsibility. Your exampled pastor may be one source of concern when looking at where the church is today and why there is such a lack of connection between what’s planted on Sunday morning and harvested the remainder of the week.
Lastly, #1 & #2 on your list are paramount as they (hopefully) create a more agile mind that can counterbalance the human tendancy towards self-importance and arrogance. My arrogant two cents worth.