Point-of-View

The importance of a well organized plan that clearly delineates the task and expectations of the church family is important. A proposal that is unclear and uncertain will be met with mixed acceptance. The pastor has the responsibility of presenting his vision in a focused and concise manner. If the leader understands where he is going then the church will respond in a more positive manner.

This phase of the process of leadership is the most challenging and exciting for the pastor. You have reached the point of placing your heart before the people with a plan. The risk of opening your life to the scrutiny of others is demanding. You are subject to criticism, skepticism, and cynicism from people. If you have not diligently carried out the process of leadership, then you will be hesitant at this point.

The pastor will receive the credit or blame for the activities of the church. You will be placed in a singular position of responsibility. It is important that the pastor remain even-keeled in regards to his emotions. You should not rise too high in the midst of praise or sink too low in the midst of criticism. An effective leader grasps the concept of living in the proverbial fish bowl of observation.

The following questions will be faced at this point of the leadership process:

• Am I willing to finish strong?
• Am I confident in the implementation of the plan?
• Have I included others in the process of the proposal?
• Do I have a clearly defined proposal?
• Have I presented the information in a compelling manner?
• Can others sense my heart and commitment to the task?

Do I believe in the proposal enough to risk rejection or failure?

The process of leadership should be observed in decisions that are great or small. Every step of leadership that you take impacts the congregation. You are in a position of authority that sets the tone for the direction of the church family. The pastor who fails to invest the time in studying the proposal will be ineffective in guiding the church. Leaders are usually right, but you will not always be correct. Do not rush the concept without gathering your data.

The steps of application involve the investment of time and energy, but the completion of the task reinforces the process of leading a church. The importance of the leader understanding and defining the vision is necessary for the church to be involved in the journey. The church desires to respond to the leadership of the pastor. The pastor has the task of defining the expectations, responsibilities, and commitment that is necessary from the church to complete the task.

The straight A’s of leadership are a consistent approach to guiding your congregation:

• Absolute Factor
• Accountability Factor
• Authority Factor
• Acceptance Factor
• Application Factor

The joy of the journey in leadership is worth the risk of failure. The commitment to lead a church to grow requires the leader to invest whatever it takes to reach people for Christ.

The confident leader understands the absolute will of the Lord, his accountability to the Lord in what he has received, the authority that God has granted him in the place of ministry, the acceptance of his leadership through building relationships and sharing his heart, and the application of the plan that God has granted him to accomplish in the local church. The reward of leading the church from the incipient stage to the fruition stage of the process is immense for a leader. The opportunity to witness people come to Christ is the well done and validation of your leadership by the Lord.

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