Everyone knows that leadership is critical to church development. But increasingly professional pastoral ministry is under siege. Despite strong personal conviction many pastors become discouraged, resign and leave ministry altogether. It is said that only 5% of those who become pastors actually retire in that capacity. This alarming situation not only deeply affects pastors’ personal lives and families but also severely hinders church ministry development.
Second Wind Ministries exists to offer encouragement for church ministry leaders. It seeks to provide a forum for pastors to receive coaching on issues related to long-term ministry effectiveness in a seminar format. The following series of seminars can be adapted for use in a variety of contexts. Please contact us for details.
1. THINKING VOCATIONALLY
In recent years it seems pastoral self-confidence has been severely shaken. Pastors struggle with their sense of identity and the measure of authority that comes with it. Is professional pastoral ministry valid? If so, how should a pastor exercise that identity and authority in the local church?
2. PURSUING SPIRITUAL and EMOTIONAL WHOLENESS
Pastors would probably readily agree with John Ortberg who said that the key to effective ministry is “arranging one’s whole life to experience deep satisfaction in God.” But what does spiritual and emotional wholeness look like on a daily basis for authentic ministry to happen long-term?
3. LEADING with VISION
The old version of the well-known proverb says, “Without a vision the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). It seems a truism that the primary task of a pastor is to provide for a clear sense of vision. Pastors know there can be no significant progress in the church without vision. But vision can be a difficult thing to realize. How is clear vision achieved and shared in the body of Christ?
4. LEADING as a SERVANT
Pastors especially are called to emulate the servant leadership style of Jesus and it seems everyone expects them to do so. But what does servant leadership really mean and how does this practically work in the life of a pastor?
5. MANAGING EFFICIENTLY
Since the church by definition is a spiritual and practical structure it follows that it needs to be well-managed. The larger the church the more structure is needed. Many problems in church ministry can be averted by good organizational management. What are the key elements of effective church management?
6. PASTORING with CULTURAL RELEVANCE
Evidently the Apostle Paul worked hard at cultural relevance (1 Corinthians 9:22). One of the biggest on-going challenges in pastoral ministry is to interpret the Holy Scriptures incarnationally. What are the implications for church ministry of today’s post-modern thought?
7. CAPITALIZING on CONFLICT
Conflict has to be pastoral ministry job hazard number one! What are the elements that contribute to conflict in pastoral ministry and how can conflict be managed constructively for everyone’s benefit?
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