Pastors entering existing churches are quickly overwhelmed by the changes needed to improve the church. For most of us, the challenge is when and how these changes should be made. If you are wondering how to choose these battles wisely, first receive this great advice I received when I entered my first position as Principal Pastor in a church that clearly needs change and revitalization:?Preach the Word, love these people with sacrifice, and change nothing for a while.
Now, after sharing this invaluable counsel that must be applied first, here are three questions to ask as you prepare to make the necessary change, and to do so with discernment and wisdom:
- 1) Is it biblical or a preference? Regardless of what you want to change.
- Make sure you have a solid bible argument to do so.
- Whether you want to change the structure of your church to a plurality of elders/pastors or increase the commitment of all church members to meet regularly on Sundays (Hebrews 10:25).
- These are appropriate biblical changes that should be pursued Whether you want to change the translation of the Bible used to preach.
- The style of the song or remove the giant image of a white Jesus from your lobby.
- These changes Do not have such a clear biblical argument.
- Whether it’s biblical or a personal preference.
- It matters how you make the changes and.
- In many cases.
- Whether you need to change at all.
2) Is this the right time? Just because a biblical argument can be made in favor of change does not mean that it is the right time to do so. Many young pastors enter an existing church, making quick and necessary changes because it is in the Bible. And they don’t think of the pastor of A Congregation during these changes. Then they wonder why, after eighteen months of pastoral care, half of the church remains, and there is a general lack of trust and suspicion towards the pastor. That’s because the new pastor was too busy trying to figure out what?rather than loving and guiding this congregation first, so that it may then be receptive to change.
3) Are the possible consequences worthwhile? Determined whether change can be taught as biblical, considered when the time is right, the pastor should then consider whether the consequences consider it reasonable and risk-worthy. For example, I would not divide the church because of the plurality of elders/pastors or a swollen member role in the early years of a church. These are changes that can come later with good teaching and patience. However, he could be sent back for confronting a deacon found in open adultery or an attack on Christ’s divinity, whether the Church is willing to do so or not. Choosing the right battles wisely means knowing if you are prepared to face the possible consequences of your decision, as well as to be before God with good conscience.
This is a general model to follow when determining what changes you want to make and how they should be chosen and implemented. Whatever you do, choose the battles wisely, as if you were going to be in this church for ten years or more. give you a different perspective and help you be patient.
Oh, and one more thing. Listen to your wife. My wife stopped me from getting fired a few times for her wise warnings about some things I was going to change. Your wife is your assistant and will give you special help to prevent you from doing something you can regret. Listen.
By: Brian Croft. © Practical Shepherding, Inc. Website: practicshepherding. com. Translated with permission. Source: 3 ways to know which battle to choose.
Original: Pastor, ask these 3 questions before changing anything in the new church. © Return to the Gospel. Website: voltemosaoevangelho. com. All rights reserved. Translation: Joel Paulo Aragono da Guia Oliveira. Review: Filipe Castelo Branco.