Point-of-View

The Acceptance Factor is predicated through clarity, communication, and commitment. Churches cannot follow what they do not understand or accept. The task of an effective leader is to share, share again, and share again. The reiteration of the vision is necessary for the congregation to embrace the work. The pastor has the responsibility within the church of providing direction. The challenge of faith that the pastor renders to the church family must be clearly set in his heart. Time spent in preparation in private is necessary before you take the vision to the public.

The process of taking an idea from the incipient stage to final fruition is a joyous journey of faith. I urge you not to become an island during this process. It is important that you include people in your decision making. The concept is birthed in your heart through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. You have spent time in prayer and fasting and are confident that this idea is the will of God. The trust in the knowledge and assurance that this task is the absolute purpose of the Lord for the ministry is needed to continue.

The pastor has the responsibility and stewardship before the Lord for the church in leading in this matter. This accountability is the faithful discharging of your duty as a pastor. God has granted you the authority in leadership to implement His will for the church. It requires more than just your spoken word for vision to become reality.

Ministry is a team concept and you will lead your team through sharing your heart and vision with them. It is a step by step process in moving that which is in your heart to your church. You are risking rejection, opening to questioning, and setting a course for which you are responsible in leadership. The building of a consensus is important in guiding your church through the process.

The following questions are important to consider in the area of acceptance.

• Have I clarified the vision?
• Have I created a consensus of understanding and acceptance?
• Am I communicating my heart in an effective manner?
• Do others sense my commitment to the task?

Acceptance is more than convincing the church that your idea is right. Acceptance is the understanding of the church family of the overall challenge that has been clearly placed before them and they must accept each piece of the process in order to accomplish the whole. The investment of your time in providing this definition of the ministry will reap the benefit of unity behind your leadership. The frustration and schism of ministry can be avoided with the proper groundwork being laid by the pastor. A church desires to follow the pastor and it is incumbent upon the pastor to lead with competency.

The revealing of your heart is critical for acceptance. A church family will respond to the commitment of the pastor. The pastor must guard against any abuse of this sacred trust. You will not make everyone happy or please the whole crowd. I have discovered that even the skeptics and critics are silenced when the altar is filled with people accepting the Lord and uniting with the church. When the church rejoices over lives being changed, then change occurs more readily.

The acceptance of change requires patience on behalf of the pastor. The church did not arrive at the present position that needs changing in a brief period of time and will not be turned around in a rapid fashion. The leadership that the pastor provides must be marked with compassion, competency, and commitment to the will of the Lord. The leadership of the pastor enables the church family to accept the direction that God has established in his heart.

J. Thomas Green is pastor, First Baptist Church, Brandon. This is eighth in a series of articles examining the leader and leadership.