HOW TO KEEP OUR PREACHERS AND GROW OUR CONGREGATIONS

We have two simultaneous problems. We are loosing more preachers than we are gaining and congregations are struggling for growth. I believe the two problems are connected.

Ministry is not easy. Neither is being a congregation. Therefore, consideration for both calls for precisionistic as well as faithful love.

Two basic elements are hurting both causes. Young ministers just getting started are basically immature. We just come packaged that way. In addition and regardless of size, most congregations come packaged with at least one guardian-grump who assumes more authority than the other elders or the rest of the church. This is a catastrophic combo.

From experience, learning to fit the ministerial role is terribly difficult. Filled with embarrassing inadequacy and inferiority, taking weekly shots from the self-appointed authoritarians leaves most of us disoriented. It isn't a natural time to develop and mature. Then, if the powers-that-be move there little man on down the road as they wished, guess what sort they bring in next? A green little man full of....of the same lack as the one just fired.

So how do we help? How do we mature the preachers and build the churches?

Both groups will be advantaged to learn to be still and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit....patience. Things will work out. We tend to give up on our people---either group---way too soon. Goodness is in both. And not so strangely, fiery ordeals are to be found among us...I Peter 4:12. Neither group has valued the wonderful weight of struggle and trial.

We are given great stress to learn to be more dependent upon God. Young preachers have trouble learning this because they, once again, are packing and moving on down the road to the next group who just let their man go six months ago. Congregations fail to mature because it's just too easy to have mob-rule and run the little devil out of town....much easier than patiently waiting for him to catch on the the larger value and components of kingdom life.

I am unusually blessed. I've been provided the abundant room to fail. Yes, there has been severe struggle as well as threat. But God has held on to me as have elders and members that I could be privileged to have a shot at growing up. I'm still in the growing up stage.

My word to all congregations is this: do what you can by faith to see past your man's flaws. He's got 'em and he's aware of several of 'em. But you've got 'em too...and you've got 'em bad. If we could replace the hiring and firing formula which stifles both groups and, instead, develop a nurturing and believing system we might see maturity and growth in both areas.

May we save ourselves from ourselves by bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit right in the center of us. Thank you, Memorial Drive, for believing in me when I couldn't believe in myself.