In 2000, I became a senior pastor for the first time, and it was much harder than I thought it could ever be! Then I enjoyed being on staff at LifeChurch.tv for four years where I led small group ministries. Just over a year ago, I went back to the senior pastorate when I accepted a position at New Life Bible Church in Norman, Oklahoma. I thought to myself, “It’ll be easier this time. I’ve got more experience, and I learned a TON about leadership at LifeChurch.”
Indeed, it’s been a fast and rewarding year. Although God is blessing our church, I’m reminded once again that being a senior pastor is harder than I thought it would be. Over the last year, I’ve been reminded of 12 practices that I must never forget and that I must discipline myself to leverage:
1. Don’t Forget the Personal Touch
It’s important to make sure that I stay rooted by connecting with real people in real time. I must shake hands, write hand-written notes, take volunteers to lunch, return phone calls, and value people’s time. There’s no substitute for valuing people and being personal.
2. Do What You Do…Better
I must resist the urge to lead our church to be a “full-service church.” We do better to focus our time, energy, and resources on doing what we already do, only better. To a great extent, adding programs is futile when we can make massive improvements to existing ministries and systems.
3. Appreciate Financial Constraints
Financial challenges will always exist in a growing church. I do well to remember that financial constraints force me to think creatively. More importantly, they stretch my faith and make me seek God more earnestly.
