Ministerial-Maiden Voyage

Honeymoon over? 3 ways to start a new pastorate right
Fred Oaks

Congregations with new ministers often enjoy a honeymoon phase. During this time doubts are suspended, goodwill abounds, and everyone seems determined to get along. If they are wise, the people involved will exploit the potential of this wonderful season. They will use the love of the honeymoon phase for the congregation's most immediate and pressing challenge: building a long-term, productive pastor-congregation partnership. How can a new pastor and church members develop a relationship like that? Here are three ways: devotions, dialogue, and discernment.

Devotions

New ministers and their congregations should resist the temptation to become too busy too quickly. If your church calendar is stuck on spin cycle, pull the plug. Set aside a 40-day period in which to devote yourselves to prayer. Jesus did this before launching into his public ministry (read Matthew 4:1-11). If He needed to do it, how much more do we? During this 40-day period, invite the entire congregation to make a renewed commitment to daily personal prayer - a "quiet time." Each day each member of the church should read Scripture and pray about the pastor-congregation partnership forming in the church.

Pray that God will cause your love for one another to grow until the love among you abounds and overflows into the community. Love is the mark that distinguishes Jesus' followers (John 13:35). When church and leader celebrate and share God's love, lives are changed! In a love-starved world, new people are attracted to such congregations.

Dialogue

This means more than just talking. Dialogue is actually more about listening than talking. It teaches people to listen well in order to reach new levels of understanding. Every 10 days during the 40-day season of prayer, church members should meet for dialogue. During these times, members gather in circles of 8-12 people to listen and share.

What is God is teaching you in your times of prayer and reflection? What is the Spirit saying to the church? Dialogue trainers have a saying: "Don't wait for silence before speaking. Wait for the silence to end." Thoughtful listening results in better communication. Trust grows as people gradually become willing to reveal their hopes and hurts. Old wounds are healed. A clear sense of direction takes shape. God's will for the pastor-congregation partnership is revealed.

Discernment

God brings ministers and congregations together for a purpose. Discerning that purpose should be the top priority of every congregation with a new leader. This goal can be achieved by observing a 40-day season of devotions and dialogue during the first year's honeymoon phase.

Through devotions, God's people study Bible teaching on the roles of pastors and congregations. They learn that God desires ministry partnerships that are loving and mutually supportive. Through dialogue, they achieve the shared understanding that permits them to develop goals for their work together. They decide how and when to take action.

Partnerships built this way are strong because they rest on a foundation of love, trust, and shared purpose. The Bible calls this kind of relationship "fruitful."

Connection to God motivates Christian service that God uses to change lives. Jesus said, "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

We've all seen some couples become so focused on planning their wedding day that they neglect the relationship. Don't let that happen to you! Use the positive emotions of start-up to begin the work of building a productive pastor-congregation partnership. Like marriage, this work isn't easy - but it's worth it.

Fred Oaks is the author of "Welcome, Pastor! Building a Productive Pastor-Congregation Partnership in 40 Days." Bulk order discounts are available through FaithWalk Publishing. Call 800-337-7177 or e-mail customerservice@faithwalkpub.com. Single copies can be purchased at Amazon.com.