In response to the post below that I did on vulnerability for pastors which was driven by a reference to Mark Batterson's blog this comment came in.
It came in from "Kev". Don't know if those are initials or who he is.
He references a study conducted by a Todd Hunter. Is this Kent Hunter's kin? Kent Hunter owns a consulting firm called "Church Doctor". Barry Kolb to the left in the links is one of his ad hoc consultants. In any case I think the information derived from this poll is useful. Let's take a look. How does your Pastor measure up. How do YOU measure up as a Pastor? I have to agree, most of this is pretty right on. I will publish this as I got it but there will be a few editorial comments from me which you will see in RED. It's my darn blog, I can say what I want, can't I?
Characteristics Most Associated with Unsuccessful Pastors
OK... small sample size, but VERY interesting results. What are the characteristics most associated with both successful and unsuccessful pastors? Todd Hunter shares his findings from talking to both pastors of successful, growing churches, and pastors of churches that failed...
Characteristics Most Associated with Unsuccessful Pastors
The inability to identify, recruit, train, and deploy workers and leaders. (95%) I think this is a big one, if you can't pull it together you can't pull it off.
Use of ineffective methods of evangelism, and unwillingness to be ruthless at evaluating the results of those methods. (77%) Won't stop doing it the way we always did. Buggy Whip mentality.
No clear plan and goals, which results in working hard at wrong things or lack of focus. (77%) Building a deck rather than painting the house.
No proven record under supervision or authority. (73%) This is the syndrome of a church built out of rebellion will fail.
A nurturer/ enabler/ facilitator rather than an assertive leader and equipper. (68%) Spinelessness and lack of serious gonads is the biggest flaw in Church Leadership in my opinion. My mentor pastor, Dan Rothwell scared the HELL out of me. Bobby Knight like.
Failed to adequately research and understand the community in which trying to build a church. (64%) I think this can be a big problem with new church planters. Where you plant is more important than WHAT you plant.
No local or extra-local support and encouragement from other leaders. (64%) Not being tied into the community and other churches will sink a church or a ministry. Many church ministry leaders won't even integrate into the church body they are part of and therefore can't get input and leader support. Lone wolves end up starving.
Unsure about the Holy Spirit's leading for the church. (59%) I'll raise a hackle or two. I don't think in this day of outpouring you can lead a church successfully without the fullness of the Holy Ghost. How can you hear from God if he isn't flowing in and thru you? In my examination I see no evidence that ANY new testament Leaders were NOT filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. Why do we think we are any different? I see change on the horizon. I think this is about to change.
Not willing to take responsibility for church growth. (55%) Passing the buck is a sure sign of a weak leader. Harry Truman was right. If your church is not growing the buck stops with YOU. A church will rise no higher than the spiritual altitude of it's leadership.
Success or failure of church tied to self-image; ego strength problems. (55%) If it's God's program to build the church then it's not up to your or your success or failure in building the church. Your job is to be faithful and steady. His job is to bring the souls. But you will have to work like all get out to get it done.
Unsure of call. (50%) This one is scary. If you don't know that you know that you know that you are called to this work you will crumble. Your call is your anchor. No matter what happens I was called to do this. It has much to do with getting over the self image and ego strength problems in the item above.
* Results based on telephone interviews of pastors whose churches had failed. The interviewer, Todd Hunter, had supervised or known the pastors, and could in most instances agree with their evaluation. The numbers in parentheses are the percent who had this problem.
Characteristics Most Associated with Successful Pastors
A hard worker. (100%) Amen. The work ethic at any church particularly for the pastor is directly correlated to the success or failure of the Church. Many Pastors I know work less than they were really called to and think it's more than they should. They have bought in to the play more golf and build your church mentality.
Proven record under supervision or authority. (95%) They know order and respect it. I learned that a long time ago. Pastor's need to hear from God but then they must be certain that what they are hearing is in order. God told me to preach naked wouldn't be a real word from God. Someone in supervision or authority should have told him to put some pants on. If a pastor has no one who can blow the whistle on him he is a loose cannon and will do terrible damage before God takes him out. Even Billy Graham had a man who could come to him and say, "Dr. Graham, I regret to tell you that you are full of poop again".
OK... small sample size, but VERY interesting results. What are the characteristics most associated with both successful and unsuccessful pastors? Todd Hunter shares his findings from talking to both pastors of successful, growing churches, and pastors of churches that failed...
Characteristics Most Associated with Unsuccessful Pastors
The inability to identify, recruit, train, and deploy workers and leaders. (95%) I think this is a big one, if you can't pull it together you can't pull it off.
Use of ineffective methods of evangelism, and unwillingness to be ruthless at evaluating the results of those methods. (77%) Won't stop doing it the way we always did. Buggy Whip mentality.
No clear plan and goals, which results in working hard at wrong things or lack of focus. (77%) Building a deck rather than painting the house.
No proven record under supervision or authority. (73%) This is the syndrome of a church built out of rebellion will fail.
A nurturer/ enabler/ facilitator rather than an assertive leader and equipper. (68%) Spinelessness and lack of serious gonads is the biggest flaw in Church Leadership in my opinion. My mentor pastor, Dan Rothwell scared the HELL out of me. Bobby Knight like.
Failed to adequately research and understand the community in which trying to build a church. (64%) I think this can be a big problem with new church planters. Where you plant is more important than WHAT you plant.
No local or extra-local support and encouragement from other leaders. (64%) Not being tied into the community and other churches will sink a church or a ministry. Many church ministry leaders won't even integrate into the church body they are part of and therefore can't get input and leader support. Lone wolves end up starving.
Unsure about the Holy Spirit's leading for the church. (59%) I'll raise a hackle or two. I don't think in this day of outpouring you can lead a church successfully without the fullness of the Holy Ghost. How can you hear from God if he isn't flowing in and thru you? In my examination I see no evidence that ANY new testament Leaders were NOT filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. Why do we think we are any different? I see change on the horizon. I think this is about to change.
Not willing to take responsibility for church growth. (55%) Passing the buck is a sure sign of a weak leader. Harry Truman was right. If your church is not growing the buck stops with YOU. A church will rise no higher than the spiritual altitude of it's leadership.
Success or failure of church tied to self-image; ego strength problems. (55%) If it's God's program to build the church then it's not up to your or your success or failure in building the church. Your job is to be faithful and steady. His job is to bring the souls. But you will have to work like all get out to get it done.
Unsure of call. (50%) This one is scary. If you don't know that you know that you know that you are called to this work you will crumble. Your call is your anchor. No matter what happens I was called to do this. It has much to do with getting over the self image and ego strength problems in the item above.
* Results based on telephone interviews of pastors whose churches had failed. The interviewer, Todd Hunter, had supervised or known the pastors, and could in most instances agree with their evaluation. The numbers in parentheses are the percent who had this problem.
Characteristics Most Associated with Successful Pastors
A hard worker. (100%) Amen. The work ethic at any church particularly for the pastor is directly correlated to the success or failure of the Church. Many Pastors I know work less than they were really called to and think it's more than they should. They have bought in to the play more golf and build your church mentality.
Proven record under supervision or authority. (95%) They know order and respect it. I learned that a long time ago. Pastor's need to hear from God but then they must be certain that what they are hearing is in order. God told me to preach naked wouldn't be a real word from God. Someone in supervision or authority should have told him to put some pants on. If a pastor has no one who can blow the whistle on him he is a loose cannon and will do terrible damage before God takes him out. Even Billy Graham had a man who could come to him and say, "Dr. Graham, I regret to tell you that you are full of poop again".
If Billy Graham needs such a person, so do you.
Sure of call. (95%) I know that if a person is called you will have to kill him to stop him from doing what God has called him to do. That's what Jesus was talking about when he said, "You shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you that you may be my witnesses". Witnesses more accurately translated means so called you are ready to be martyred for me.
Exhibits optimism and faith. (95%) People are attracted by vision and passion. Tradition and regulation runs people off.
Good social skills, friendly, easily liked. (95%) This is more than a hug or a handshake. This is a well met person who just likes people. One of the areas I struggle with.
Takes responsibility for church growth. (95%) Understands that while God builds the house, he can tear it back down. He must be ready to say when things go badly, "I did this". Repent and move ahead. Do something different. No forward motion happens without taking a step.
Both husband and wife felt called to the church. (90%) I have a pastor friend who's wife at one point said, "I didn't sign up to be a pastor's wife." That can be a real drag. Later she DID sign up. On the other hand the idea that the pastor's wife must be the worship leader, hospitality expert and women's ministry leader is a misapplication many times of gifts that wife doesn't have. A wife may be called but she doesn't necessarily have the giftings to take on the traditional roles in the church.
Held values, priorities, and philosophy of denomination. (90%) We must go home with the one who brought us to the dance. This has to do with rebellion. On the other hand, if the values, priorities and philosophy are not the values, priorities and philosophies that the denomination started with then holding to those values is wrong. Example would be the Episcopal church and it's homosexual bishop. That may be a value today, but I'll guarantee it didn't start that way. The ELCA has the same problem. I don't think Martin Luther would be a Lutheran in most of today's Lutheran Churches. The values, priorities and philosophies have been distorted and destroyed by denominational misleaders who no longer even recognize what it means to embrace the teachings of Luther. I am more Lutheran than most Lutherans. Look at the Methodist Church. Do you think John Wesley would be part of that? I don't.
Indigenous of extra-local support from other leaders. (80%) This is a mixed bag. Some pastors have supposed accountability from "Out THERE". But, no one knows who there is. That was part of the Ted Haggard mess. Who blows the whistle on a pastor who is out of line? Jim Bakker will tell you the same thing. Who calls foul when things are drifting? That's why God is raising up the boldness of the Prophet. The Prophet can and will boldly and bluntly tell you "Thou art the man" even to a king. They have no fear. Most church leadership fear the voice of the prophet. A good pastor Does need the extra local support from secular and from peer leaders who can talk plainly to him. This is almost NEVER the church board. Most church boards are yes men who have no authority or power. Just position. Fame over faithfulness.
A strong marriage. (80%) This is so self evident and such a painful thing to talk about I won't take it any further. According to the denomination of which I am a part, most new church plants we have tried fail because of a weak marriage. If a pastor goes thru a marriage dissolution his pastorate almost always ends even if the church doesn't want it to. It's too hard to do alone.
* Results based on telephone interviews of pastors of successful, growing churches. In many instances they had raised up several churches. The numbers in parentheses are the percent who had this strength.
SOURCE: Global South
Sure of call. (95%) I know that if a person is called you will have to kill him to stop him from doing what God has called him to do. That's what Jesus was talking about when he said, "You shall receive Power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you that you may be my witnesses". Witnesses more accurately translated means so called you are ready to be martyred for me.
Exhibits optimism and faith. (95%) People are attracted by vision and passion. Tradition and regulation runs people off.
Good social skills, friendly, easily liked. (95%) This is more than a hug or a handshake. This is a well met person who just likes people. One of the areas I struggle with.
Takes responsibility for church growth. (95%) Understands that while God builds the house, he can tear it back down. He must be ready to say when things go badly, "I did this". Repent and move ahead. Do something different. No forward motion happens without taking a step.
Both husband and wife felt called to the church. (90%) I have a pastor friend who's wife at one point said, "I didn't sign up to be a pastor's wife." That can be a real drag. Later she DID sign up. On the other hand the idea that the pastor's wife must be the worship leader, hospitality expert and women's ministry leader is a misapplication many times of gifts that wife doesn't have. A wife may be called but she doesn't necessarily have the giftings to take on the traditional roles in the church.
Held values, priorities, and philosophy of denomination. (90%) We must go home with the one who brought us to the dance. This has to do with rebellion. On the other hand, if the values, priorities and philosophy are not the values, priorities and philosophies that the denomination started with then holding to those values is wrong. Example would be the Episcopal church and it's homosexual bishop. That may be a value today, but I'll guarantee it didn't start that way. The ELCA has the same problem. I don't think Martin Luther would be a Lutheran in most of today's Lutheran Churches. The values, priorities and philosophies have been distorted and destroyed by denominational misleaders who no longer even recognize what it means to embrace the teachings of Luther. I am more Lutheran than most Lutherans. Look at the Methodist Church. Do you think John Wesley would be part of that? I don't.
Indigenous of extra-local support from other leaders. (80%) This is a mixed bag. Some pastors have supposed accountability from "Out THERE". But, no one knows who there is. That was part of the Ted Haggard mess. Who blows the whistle on a pastor who is out of line? Jim Bakker will tell you the same thing. Who calls foul when things are drifting? That's why God is raising up the boldness of the Prophet. The Prophet can and will boldly and bluntly tell you "Thou art the man" even to a king. They have no fear. Most church leadership fear the voice of the prophet. A good pastor Does need the extra local support from secular and from peer leaders who can talk plainly to him. This is almost NEVER the church board. Most church boards are yes men who have no authority or power. Just position. Fame over faithfulness.
A strong marriage. (80%) This is so self evident and such a painful thing to talk about I won't take it any further. According to the denomination of which I am a part, most new church plants we have tried fail because of a weak marriage. If a pastor goes thru a marriage dissolution his pastorate almost always ends even if the church doesn't want it to. It's too hard to do alone.
* Results based on telephone interviews of pastors of successful, growing churches. In many instances they had raised up several churches. The numbers in parentheses are the percent who had this strength.
SOURCE: Global South
2 comments:
Most great revivals in the past have been based on the preaching of personal experience. I believe successful churches preach and encourage a personal give and take relationship with God. This kind of peaching gives members a common unwrittened dctrine and a deep and sincere basis for fellowship and growth.
Thanks,
Earl
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self- centered-love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives-do good anyway.
If you're successful, you'll win false friends and true enemies-succeed anyway.
The good you do today will perhaps be forgotten tomorrow-do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable-be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest man with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest man with the smallest mind- think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only hot dogs- fight for the few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight-build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them-help them anyway.
Give the world the best that you have and you will get kicked in the teeth-give the world the best that you have anyway.
"If better is possible, then good is not enough."
And one PS--from what I have read and heard--most great revivals down through history have started with prayer--and not preaching.
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