What's your job?

A clergy person I met confided that he had trouble telling the members of his cricket club what his job was: as a 'minister' of religion.

I suggested he not give them the title but the function.

For example:

I do a lot of community counseling. I work with groups usually to think through their future, their past; dealing with both loss and opportunities to crystalize their real selves.

You might get a lot of reactions from disbelief to curiosity...but if its too long skip the first 'title' sounding sentence and describe the work in general terms.

Names and roles

We need use only two words for those who take serving responsibility in a congregation, "minister"  (noting that the government 'minister' in UK and Australia, etc. is a minister, or servant, of the Crown.) and "deacon".

But neither as a rank.

Elders is also OK as it has biblical warrant.

So no more youth leaders, Sunday school leaders, Bible study leaders, etc.

Rather, I'd reserve 'minister' for a more general role and deacon for subsidiary ministry work.

So, with the senior minister, who is appointed by the elders to work full-time in equipping the church and developing people's skills, gifts and knowledge, there might be a youth/children's minister, and a minister for discipling (or coordinating minister), who would handle the training/equipping weekends (we call them 'Recharge' at our church) and maybe the Bible study and Christian training/pastoral activities.

All the subsidiary contributors, engaged in direct ministry and perhaps being developed for future ministry roles would be deacons. Youth deacons, Children's deacons or teachers, religious education (in public schools) deacons, or teachers,, etc.

Those serving in non-direct ministry or 'sustaining' roles, e.g. looking after property, catering, congregational enterprises etc. could be termed stewards. A large operation might have a 'senior steward', or 'steward-in-charge' to organize stewards and assistant stewards  for the various sustaining functions.

This gets us right away from a worldly conception of how we structure our congregational life.

The New Pastor (sic)

A recent podcast dealt with a question about "the new pastor"

I have a few thoughts on some topics raised

Altar calls: there are no altars in Christianity. We do not operate temples, nor do we have sacrifices, except Romans 12:1. We have gathering places: hall, shed, auditorium, churchery, eclesiasicum, etc.

For those interested in exploring Christian faith a choice of: discuss with someone (have this organized), a short series of meetings, say 3, or like Alpha course. Greg's approach also has merit, except I'm not aware of Jesus "paying" for our sins. NT words are, in my translation: died for, gave himself, purged, suffered for, put away, bore, propitiation, sacrificed, took away, washed us from, forgives.

Note our gatherings are of Christians and for Christians. The only teaching of the gospel per se would be to train people to tell others.

Sunday School is a must. Needs different branding. One congregation I knew had "team training". It could be called "Focus", for example. Coupled with small groups, this would be the heart of congregational life. The big gathering could be for a meal, song, prayer breakouts and a couple of shorter addresses.

BTW, song is not "worship". Worship terms are never used of Christian gatherings in the NT. Songs are for teaching and praise. The danger with making our gatherings or just songs "worship" implies that we've done our weekly duty and are off the hook for the rest of the week. Again Romans 12:1(-2).

Now, if I was taking up the paid teacher/serving role ("pastor" is a post reformation invention that is alien to the  NT and merely parrots the Roman priesthood, itself combining Jewish and pagan practices) here is my program:

1. A day convocation with church board members, and all who volunteer in teaching, pastoral and other direct ministry roles. We would discuss how we grow each other to Christian maturity; the teaching/training approach; the plan for Sunday Focus groups and how our gatherings are going to follow Paul's program for 'one-anothering' in 1 Cor. 11-14.

2. Do direct coaching/mentoring with 5-8 stewarding volunteers each year: those who conduct ministry functions in youth, small groups and training. Also regular meetings for coaching and support of all in direct ministry, such as small group conveners, youth, elderly and children's work.

3. Draw up a roster to have a meal with every family in the congregation...and small groups of single and solo members.

4. Develop community outreach: that is, going out into the community with gospel, care and support, with related training in faith conversations (Tactics and Street Smarts the texts).

5. Make sure everyone encouraged questions.

How to talk about death

Last week one of my fellow saints died. He was at a 'good' age, but, of course, death is always...always more than sad (John 11:35).

The parish funeral notice told us that he had 'gone home'.

No.

Language is always a challenge, but I think we must oppose the anonymizing neoplatonistic shorthand of 'going home'.

'presence of our Lord' would be a more direct and focused expression rather than the vague ambiguity of 'going home' which is not congruent with the Biblical data. In fact I think it tends to obscure the teaching of scripture and entertains an almost Gnostic deprecation of the created cosmos.

Thus, my quick stab at a substitute expression:

"We trust that our brother/sister having departed this life is in the presence of our Lord, with whom he/she and all the saints departed will come at his return with renewed bodies to his New Creation."

 

Be ABOUT Relationships

I came across this neat acronym in relation to ministry for young people (say, 15-25):

ABOUT

A = Acceptance: show it

B = Belonging: build it

O = Ownership: promote it

U = Understanding: foster it, and

T = Trust: anchors everything.

Now, apart from never liking the word 'ownership' in this context, I think it's a good guide.

"Ownership" might point to participatory engagement or responsibility for oneself in the fellowship group. This can take a lot of mentoring or discipling for young people in some cases, but a fine objective, particularly if the young person is a bit of a social outlier. 

If you are guiding an organization or group (i.e. having final responsibility for it) the meanings can be adjusted, such as:

A = Act to bring results (don't procrastinate, but don't rush)

B =  Build the team (keep developing -- discipling in a church context -- the people you work with)

O = Organize performance (define the mission, provide resources, equip the team)

U = Understand the job (know the objective, customers, competition, strategy and people)

T = Trust anchors effectiveness (never do anything to destroy trust).

Who's next?

My local church has run into a problem.

The guy who organizes one of our ministries: teaching English to new migrants who have no English, has become too unwell to continue.

He randomly asked a couple of the more able teachers if they would take over his role jointly. Big surprise (to them and to him): they said no.

The organizer called this 'succession planning'.

I'd call it a panic.

This is how 'succession planing' really works.

Take my business example.

I had 9 direct reports managing a total of about 80 staff in professional services in a multi-billion dollar operation.

The one who was obviously most on-fire: competent, energetic, knowledgeable, insightful I spotted as soon as she started working in the division. I kept her close: asked advice, bounced ideas off her, shared the development of some projects...I even loaded her up a little with some of 'my' work. She thrived.

That was 4 years before I moved on. I moved on. She was able to step into my role (thanks KH). That's succession planning. It started 4 years before I needed to activate it.

There were two other staff who had potential. I started developing them immediately. For one younger woman I made the position of 'team leader' for a small group. She thought it was just 'window dressing'. I didn't push back on that idea with much energy, because it wasn't, and I subtly loaded her with more responsibility and gradually expanded her remit and the pressure she was under. Not heartlessly, but in a manner calculated to see her make decisions.

At one time I gave her an assignment and started to say..."Gisele, if you run into any dead-ends..." she cut me off with "I know, bring you solutions, not problems".

I replied: "Not at all, if there's a dead end, or you find a challenge that you are not sure on, drop in to my office and we can chat about it, then work out what the options might be". Never strand someone: help them grow, not sink.

Another staff member, Simon, was a 'quiet achiever'. Not that quiet, as always ready with a good idea or amusing but positive contribution. There we no slots for quick advancement for him, but I sent him on an Executive MBA program. His next step, in a couple of years,  was 'UP'.

So that's succession planning; it's long term development of people, bringing them into the decision-responsibility circle and supporting their growth.

It is not a 'knee-jerk'.

Knee-jerks never work. 

What does a 'minister' do?

A congregation  decides to employ a paid staff person. Let's call him or her 'the minister', even though we all always 'minister'.

Unfortunately in most congregations this role is regarded as a 'leadership' role, and not a service one.  

In a fully functional congregation however,  it is a service role to assist the elders as a sort of coach and skills builder for them and with them for the congregation at large.

Most are not, so we get a Hebrews 5:12 situation in too many congregations.

The minister is like the 'head' coach of a team. Not a player, but the one who equips, encourages, coaches and, of course, trains.

The main role would be the monthly equipping seminar/gathering. The "Equip-meet".

One way this could work, is every month, except perhaps December and January, and moved to avoid a clash with Easter an Equip-meet is held.

This might be a Saturday afternoon and evening, with a simple meal.

It could cover Bible topics, a book study overview, apologetics, church history, or other special themes, or specific skills like explaining your faith to typical questions, and so on. It would be programmed to allow people to come and go: perhaps there would be three separable sessions: early afternoon, after coffee, then after dinner...with discussion trailing off into the later evening perhaps.

Its format would be content segments (talks based on or springing from an article or book chapter that had been read beforehand), table-group or open discussion, or Q and A, and opportunities for participants to talk about what they have learnt. When people can put their lesson into their own language, they truly learn.

At other times this minister might help with teaching segments in youth ministry, coach and guide the people who do youth and children's ministry or are learning to do the 'teaching' segments. Hesh (he/she) might also help equip those with pastoral gifts to support newly weds, those with young children, those is difficult circumstances, and those who are becoming frail and dependent, etc.

He or she might also help coach those up and coming teachers/prophets to contribute in the gatherings and work with the elders to conduct coaching sessions with that group, also with supportive discussions so the elders can minister to the 'minister' and discuss the general health and organization of the congregation.

Next time your church wants to hire a minister...discuss this with them.

20 church actions

Points from a video by Matt Dabbs at Revolution of Ordinaries, a YouTube channel by a Churches of Christ minister, from what I can gather. But, I like the guy. He makes good sense in most cases.

 My comments.

00:16 - #1 - Biblical teaching without smoke machines

And this means: not a 'sermon'. Sermons aren't how we teach practices and how we truly learn and grow in true knowledge, knowledge we incorporate into our thinking world.

How we do this is by discussion. Discussion for learning-teaching is not a free for all: see Stephen Brookfield's work on this. It might start with pre-reading of a passage, not necessarily constrained by the chapter-verse coordinate system we have, and some pointed questions and cross references to consider. Then as a group we discuss. Then the teacher gives a summary talk to bring it all together, and Q and A following, perhaps while still seated, but with some refreshments. Maybe at tables, like a cafe or a banquet.

00:55 - #2 - Participatory worship

Of course, he means participatory gatherings. Worship is what we do all the time as our minds are transformed and we are caring for our brethren in need (Romans 12:1-2, James 1:27).

As per 1 Corinthians 11-14, each has something to contribute: more a 'round-table' discussion circle than a one-person lecture all facing the front. 

And our singing is to teach each other: Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16. 

01:24 - #3 - Preachers who know the people

He means teachers/prophets, of course. Yes, this is a thing of the gathering of the saints, not a dislocating rant or ceremonial address that has nothing to do with relationship. It is the members of the gathering who do the teaching/prophesying (encouraging biblical reminders).

01:48 - #4 - Holy Spirit back in charge

Our church needs to be prayerfully conscious of being in the hands of the Spirit. Church means the body of Christians together. Not merely the building we use to meet in or the times of meeting in that building.  

02:26 - #5 - Make Disciples

This marks the biggest failing of the entire Western church! We don't make disciples. We grab every new believer and shove them into a pew, perhaps having urged them to read the Bible, or given them a study book to work through; perhaps a couple of meetings with a counselor (I mean a mature Christian to encourage and teach, not a head-doctor).

Not enough. It should be at least a year of careful coaching and instruction, in groups if possible. This should cover the foundations: what the Bible is, its organization and textual history; biblical theology, basic church history, study of a gospel, Acts, a couple of shorter letters, Genesis, Job, and selected 'episodes' from other OT books. It should also include simple apologetics, such as the 7 basic questions and the 7 Muslim challenges.

Some instruction on basic heresies and heretical cults could also be important. 

Then, the new Christians should be drawn into the community with hospitable inclusion in the life of the church: being invited for a  simple meal or coffee in your home, go to movies, concerts together, etc.

Finally, they should be invited to participate in giving: volunteering in ministries they are suited to or interested in; talk about their 'journey' in the gathering or small group, and their reflections on their journey so far.

General on-going discipling is important, so people can become teachers where so gifted, conduct groups, organize functions or ministries, be trained in public speaking, and the pragmatic side of church life as well. 

03:36 - #6 - Plant churches

Carefully and wisely. Thorough research on the local area and support from the sending group.

05:02 - #7 - Make communion central

I don't think the early church had a 'ceremonial' or 'sacramental' communion. It was part of their 'love feast' or meal together. 

06:02 - #8 - Play together

Go out together, not in cliques, but in assorted groupings: to entertainments, picnics, conferences.

07:18 - #9 - Fasting

An inconvenient practice...that's why we need to get back to it. 

07:46 - #10 - More hearing the Bible

Not just snippets, but, in the right context, whole coherent passages. We also need to train and practice this craft so that its worth doing and worth listening to. 

08:48 - #11 - Healthy accountability

Sure, but not intrusive:always kind, supportive, in love, and seeking the others' (or mutual) growth. 

09:31 - #12 - Less clock, more connection

Besides, we need to have longer more varied gatherings. If your church has a building, turn it into a whole Sunday thing:

Classes in the morning

Morning tea

Large meeting for edification: 1 Cor 14.

Lunch together, maybe a talk and some discussion

Skills workshops

Casual chat-around (people come and go)

Supper

Evening gathering: sharing and singing, prayer. 

10:06 - #13 - Teach on sin

Avoid legalism and casuistry. Sin is 'anti-God', anti-love, pride in action. It is not of the New Creation.

10:31 - #14 - Spiritual community engagement

Connect with the local community, real connections, join local groups, be known as Christian, and genuinely interested in the group. Get involved in various relief efforts for local and distant disasters. 

Be seen on the street and in any fairs with community booths for organized stand-up evangelism; and don't be corny, be real. 

11:41 - #15 - Less programs, more training; training as the consistent theme of the gathering body.

As per #5 above. 

12:18 - #16 - Spiritual leadership

Expunge the modern usage of  'leadership'. Replace it with 'communityship', serving each other with one's gifts and skills and Philippians 2:1-17. 

12:53 - #17 - Kingdom vision and goals

Know that we are working to the New Creation in all that we do. But do it with careful thought based on real opportunities, needs, challenges and know the barriers to overcome.

13:18 - #18 - Privatize giving

All giving should be top-secret. 

14:06 - #19 - Engage community leaders

Connected with #14 above. Get your senior brethren (that is those with specific relevant responsibilities) to connect with civic authorities.

14:41 - #20 - Don't rely on "tech" 

Good pointers in the video: that is be personal, not 'automated' by web services. But in the fine detail, do technology well. 

Make sure any use of equipment, IT or otherwise is skilled and tested. Set up sound gear professionally (no tapping a microphone asking if it is 'on'. You should have done a sound check with the panel operator/producer before delivering). Have people trained and skilled as 'producers'.

Nevertheless, do your best to make your equipment serve, not lead. If you have no illustrations that add to a particular presentation, talk, speech, training session, don't use PowerPoint! 

Woman conducting an 'Outpost' of Stand to Reason

This is my thinking on a question asked by a woman on a talk-back podcast questioning her congregation's limit on her ambitions to convene an apologetic 'Outpost' for Stand to Reason.

Dear G,

I was fascinated by your discussion with the sister who wanted to organize an Outpost.

It is sad that her congregation won't support her desire; doubtlessly a godly desire, given her humble demeanour and evident motivation.

Her 'pastor' seems to be the gum in the works.

His role, along with the other equipping ministries (Eph 4:11-12) is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. I'm sure our sister aforementioned had in mind taking some responsibility to convene a work of ministry, which would also be part of the 'equipping of the saints' activities within the congregation.

Now, we run into two things:

1-      1 Tim 2:5-8 where Paul is taken by some to issue a blanket prohibition on women teaching or 'usurping authority' over men and

2-      Modern–post-reformation–congregational organization that make a minister or ‘pastor’ the authority giver, rather than the overseeing shepherd: to coach, instruct, counsel, encourage.

 

Together, these play merry hell with our practice with respect to our sisters in our congregations.

Note I use Coverdale’s translation of ekklesia, rather than the Jamesian usage ‘church’. I do so to make a point, and the point is that our understanding of the gatherings of Christians has been skewed away from a NT vision of an orderly charismatic (not in the modern popular sense) community of the holy ones, to an inherently authoritarian vision that comes to us via the un-reforming Reformation from Rome.

This plays out under the impetus of that strange Greek word authentein. Seemingly to endorse that men qua men have authority over women! I don't think that ‘authority' is given to any elder/presbyter/teacher/evangelist in this blunt terminology. The language used (hupeiko) suggests dialogue not command.

Before we start, we must set the scene with Paul's relevant general statements: Gal 3:28, 1 Cor 11:11 and 11:13-15, where there is no sex-based distinguishing of gifts. Put this alongside Joel 2:28/Acts 2:17 and the numerous unqualified mentions of Paul's female teachers and helpers/apostles (Junia) and we are in difficult hermeneutical waters. Our general hermeneutic policy is to use the less specific passages to interpret and modify the more specific.

On this basis, as well as the study of the word authentein, we must conclude that Paul’s Timothean statement is circumstantial. I mean specific to circumstances. Both the word itself, albeit translated in the NT on the basis of second and third century usage, rather than its earlier usage, and the immediate context with reference to the order of creation. Here he seems to be correcting something that was contradictory to scripture in the content of the women’s assertions of an 'authority' over men. That is they were putting the female as generative to the male rather than in the creation order. Paul also touches this theme in 1 Cor. 11:12

With the nature of the Ephesian setting that Timothy was in, Kroeger (1979, "Ancient Heresies and a Strange Greek Verb" Reformed Journal) hypothesizes that the Creation reference is there to overturn pagan-inspired heresies that attach women to the superiority of the goddess Diana, to the detriment of men: thus the 'authority' of women over men being taught. An 'authority' like no other teaching reference in the NT and one not aligned with the words of prophesy (in its various forms) that women are gifted to deliver.

But the church we are discussing also seems to have elevated the 'pastor' to a rank that exceeds that of an overseer who is to guide, and as we would say today to mentor the other sheep. The pastor as modern role bears more resemblance to a Roman (Catholic) priest than a biblical elder/overseer. But then if we do apply the surface and I must say anachronistic reading that seems to be popular in the modern church, it would prohibit all women from teaching or any appearance of exercise of 'authority' over a man. Paul does not limit this to the gathering of the church as we might characterize it today.

A little excursus here. Our modern conception of the church gathered: as a liturgical spectator ceremony, has nothing to do with the early church gatherings, which were informal, multiply communicative, community-edification gatherings. Firstly, they were constituted when (at least) two or three were gathered in Christ's name; so, any faith-oriented gathering should come under the Timothean rubric. Out go women university lecturers, seminary teachers, study group conveners, skills trainers, or Christian workers of any andragogic manner: conductors of any discussion group in a Christian gathering, offerer of opinions on STRAsk...a whole lot of permitted practices of the saints are out the window. Although I'd guess that one might place this as an action under the President of the organization. Still, a bit of a long bow, perhaps in this modern restrictive usage.

My conclusion is that as long as women don't assert over men a disordered creation of a 'goddess-earth-mother' that prioritizes the female over the male, to the disparagement of the male contra Genesis 1-2 and Gal 3:28, that they are free to exercise their gifts, irrespective of any dubious 'authority' of a male. And the NT is full of women doing just this, arguably! Titus 2, for example.

And even if one wanted to apply a rigid misreading to the Timothy passage, one could argue that the 'pastor' (or better, the board of elders) provided the umbrella for our women's work.

 Either way, Let's call the enquirer and tell her to 'get cracking' and start her Outpost and set aside the casuistry she has been subjected to.

Are you 'accountable' or just in a cult?

The speaker at my church gathering recently was urging us to be 'good neighbours' and to have 'gospel conversations' with them.

Of course, one should be able to follow naturally from the other, and one hopes people are equipped to answer the 7 basic questions asked of Christians.

To urge us on to success his talk had 'three points' (drawing our attention to the fact that it had three points).

They were:

1. Pray
2. Prioritize loving your neighbours
3. Go and love them

This read moire like a recipe than an approach to the normal Christian life (not a reference to Watchman Nee, BTW)

But there was a surprise. He really had four points, and the last was:

Be accountable.

This was like hiring a parish spy to lean on you.

Paul's only use of this word is in Romans 3:19 (NASB), in relation to God.

In the body of Christ we edify, encourage, teach one another.

Cults is where 'accountability' occurs (Scientologists use it frequently).

Rather than the love your neighbour recipe, a talk to encourage conscious participation in community and local life and to encourage each other in this would have struck many more Christian chords than an enforcement regime for this mechanistic program.

Be Like a New Testament church

Tom Wadsworth, in a recent podcast, ran through his 9 points for change to echo the NT church in our modern practice.

Also see his full lecture on this.

I've added my comments here and there.

1. Change terminology.

'Worship services/time/pastor...order of worship, etc' That language is foreign to the NT. Paul sets out the core of worship in Romans 12:1, 2. But let's also use NT terminology for our gatherings/assemblies: gathering/ecclesea, assembly.

2. Make edification the purpose of our church gatherings: 'one anothering' each other.

Make edification the purpose of joining a church gathering. That is, to build up one another. Nor by the 'man at the front', but 'one-anothering' each other. No longer a consumer, but a maker (jointly).

3. Less concert more content.

'Worship' and 'worship music/bands/pastors' has come to dominate modern gatherings; and music made to mimic the entertainment attraction of a pop-concert. This is far from the 'one-another' songs mentioned in the NT.

4. More speakers, shorter speeches.

Not just one person doing the talking, but many do so; but in an orderly manner.

5. More dialogue, less monologue.

Conversations about living the faith, not lectures that amble around a single verse. The latter is for the teaching/study group (adult 'Sunday school').

6. Break big groups into small groups.

Up to about a dozen people. More than this imposes a limitation on individual participation and salience. This is where disciples are made and maturity is achieved. Without this, people are probably not growing and have no place to 'grow'.

7. Create edification 'rooms'.

The church I recently served at purchased, converted and extended a cottage for meeting rooms. One of them, and one in the older building, were fitted out like domestic sitting rooms, with sofas, easy chairs, coffee table, standard lamps. Not like office meeting/lecture rooms (which the others were), but homes.

Not only did young people relax more in them and feel at ease, but so too did adults.

In larger rooms, seating might be set out to allow people to see each other: in arcs if not full circles.

But also, let's really drop the usage 'church' when we refer to our buildings. In my church, apparently as one of the appointed ministers (that is, elected, but not paid) pointed out to me, the place where we gather on Sundays is 'The Church', not, as I had referred to it in a document as: "the main hall. Sheesh!!

8. Incorporate the meal: the Last Supper was a meal, not a shot of wine and a cracker.

Include full meals in the life of the church and use these to remember the Last Supper. Eating together brings people together: relaxed. But, be sure that talk about  Christian life  and concerns is the major conversation focus.

And 'shot' of wine? Who ever heard of such a thing!

9. Make love an assembly mandate (I Cor. 13).

Paul's discourse on love is in the context of assemblies! When the church comes together, with many speaking, etc. love is essential to trust in this as the way of the church, from which all learn and are known to each other.

Outreach or In-drag

Churches offer many 'in-drag' events in the guise of 'out-reach'. But they are not, in most cases. Usually  they are simply in-drag with bait. And usually not a very good bait at that.

But I think the Seventh Day Adventists have an approach that is worth considering (not their crazy theology, of course). That is offering something of value to people in the community. They run 'courses' in quitting smoking and handling anxiety. Both commendable efforts (unless you are a tobacconist or pharmacist, of course).

That might work in some communities, but not others.

One things that Christians should be good at is communication (spoken word, I mean, because they are not usually that good at other media). So courses in personal communication in different contexts: for example, in formal meetings, giving presentations, on in manager-team relationships. The latter should be worthwhile in any locations where there is a sizable proportion of people in business or the professions.

Such course could be aimed at particular age-groups, or not, but to offer them, for a small fee, of course, with 'concessions' easily granted, could be of general interest and service.

The courses would be designed in terms of what we know about the ethos of communication we see in the Bible, and the personal attitudes and challenges that become important.

I'll see what I can do about this with a course on 'Leading People' that I'm developing.

The challenge for the church is to move people down the discipling 'funnel' from 'contact' (through some form of outreach or indrag event) to 'engage' (perhaps a course related to Christian faith or children at youth  group, etc..), to 'integrated'. This last stage is marked by regular attendance and participation at some level, and is the precursor to 'discipleship and service'. Which could be just 'service' to keep down the language temperature.

Who is in charge?

The default answer to this question asks you to trot out the 'leader'.

We don't have 'leaders' in church.

A leader in modern terms would be the Greek archon: a ruler, boss or governor. One in command. We don't have this in the church. The closest thing might be overseer (elder) or the modern invention 'pastor'. 'Minister' is the best general term, and I think 'Senior Minister' is OK: senior servant, like your Butler at home.

The Senior Minister is the one who coordinates the service of the other ministers (both paid and volunteer).

In our church we have Organizers (who help the Coordinator), Convenors of home study and prayer groups, Ministry Assistants and Helpers (who attend to practical aspects of service).

But, I'm still groping for the word that is short snappy and to the point.

Moderator, as in some denominations; I think is a better term than president or chairman, so it might be useful.

For the local church, the general term I like, if 'minister' is inappropriate, ambiguous or confusing is Steward. A steward is used in secular connections, but ours is different. Instead of a youth group volunteer 'leader', who I would call a 'ministry assistant', but that is too clumsy for easy conversation, there would be stewards. 'Counselors' might also work, based on the term in summer camps; although this might be confused with therapeutic counselors. Organizers might also do the job.

But not 'Leader'. Ever!

How are you at sales?

Not selling?

I'll bet you are!

I'm thinking of clergy and volunteer ministers at church. You know, the ones who look after 'pastoral' care, and seek to support those in some particular need.

A common question I've heard, and indeed, one I have asked as well is: "How can we help?" or "What can we do for you?"

Now, this is the sort of question that was perhaps learnt from poorly trained retail sales assistants. These are the poor souls who approach the customer on entering their shop and ask...one of the two questions above.

Bad sales technique, bad technique for those 'selling' their pastoral support services.

What is even worse is the implicit superficiality or disrespect, or disdain, in some cases, this shows for the person asked.

I'm not going to tells sales assistance what to do...they can pay for their own training, but church ministers (of whatever stripe) can do better.

Our job is to know people, to 'relate' to them, to  understand who they are and from that be able to suggest areas of service.

We need a conversation, not a one-liner 'I'm off the hook now, because I've inquired after their welfare.'

We can use the normal conversation.

-- Hello, how are you/how are things going at the moment?

[answer comes back]

-- It sounds like you have a few challenges/frustrations/worries/burdens/loads/things on your mind [pause for response which may or may not come].

-- Could I drop in to have a coffee with you at home? I'll bring the coffee!

OR

-- Let's go inside [there should be nooks in the eccleseum for quiet chats]...or elsewhere.

During this visit your job is to get to know the person's current challenges, objectives, hopes and desires and to bring to them both the succor of our Lord, pastoral care, and identify any practical care that the church is able to provide. Let them know what the church can do and if necessary what community services might also be available.

I know people vary in their opinions on this, but I don't think I'd reflexively offer to pray for them, either on the spot (certainly not on the spot, despite some evangelicals and Pentecostals loving to do this), or remotely. A Christian should expect another Christian will naturally pray for them, particularly when expressed need is discovered. No need to say; sounds empty IMO.

On this score, while imperfect, I aim to pray for all those whom I've spoken to at church through the following week.

What's the greatest question in Christian 'Leadership'?

I was invited to answer this question by an e-mail from a Bible school I had attended.

Here is my answer:

My greatest 'leadership' question is why has the church followed the world in its obsession with 'leadership'?

The scripture calls us to SERVE. Our leader is the Holy Spirit!

We need to revive the notion of ministry and ministry as support of the discipleship of others, of each other! We have grown a flabby church with insufficient dedication to reading and understanding the scriptures in private devotion and study, insufficient emphasis on the service of all believers in their congregations to each other and insufficient application to our daily routines and behaviour.

The notion of 'leader' passivates the average Christian and offers a mantle that many rightly eschew. What we need is to train Christians for their ministry: be it teaching, preaching, evangelism, administration, etc. and to take responsibility for the application of those gifts.

For those who are younger or less mature, the title 'leader' is an invitation to pride, if not hubris. One has to ask, if one is a leader, who are the followers? Do the followers then defer to the leader for their own spiritual responsibilities?

What we must do as the church is train our brethren in their own growth in faith, in study of the scriptures, in application to reading of fruitful Christian literature (at the maximum level of their intellectual capability) and in serving each other in grace and humility (Phil. 2:3, 4). We must also train in communicating the gospel: Koukl's books Story of Reality, Tactics and Street Smarts are good resources (I add, even though I diverge from aspects of his theology).

BTW, for some background, I have served churches over the decades in administrative committees and as a full time administrator of a medium sized church in Sydney. In my prior professional life I have worked as a senior executive responsible for a budget in excess of $1b (billion). I have served both my employer(s) and my team(s) by building up people to develop their own capability and in taking responsibility for (the management triad): clarifying the mission, providing resources and developing capability: of the team and its individuals.

If anything, this 'triad' is perhaps the nub of taking a role of responsibility for the work of a (any) group!

 

That's the answer.

 

As an addendum I note that it has taken a scholar in management to put his finger on the problem. Henry Mintzberg, who may or may not be a believer, complained about the obsession with leadership rather than, as he puts it, 'communityship'.

Second addendum: in the church I worked for we  avoided the term 'leader'. We had 'convenors' for home study groups, 'coordinators' for various outreach ministries, 'organizers' for others. Some groups had ministry team members, helpers, facilitators, workers, arranger, moderator...and so on.