During the beginning of your solo-pastor ministry , you have only a small amount of authority and power , but you will have influence . Use what little authority and power you have sparingly . You ’ re only a leader if you have followers . To be fruitful you ’ ll need to get others to buy in to your sense of mission and vision . It takes courage to actually lead people . Some solo pastors are no more than politicians who make promises but don ’ t deliver . To lead , one must take courageous action . The major decision is to decide to be a leader and begin to use whatever amount of influence or power you possess . People will respect you for your character , not your political power . Recall how Jesus had authority even though he held no office , and how he turned down the prestige others wished to give him . His authority came from his words and his life , and so will yours .
5 . Lead the people , not the organization .
As a solo pastor you ’ ll be tempted to focus on changing the organizational structure of the church , but that ’ s not leadership . God doesn ’ t call you to exert leadership on people but to lead people . That ’ s an entirely different calling . Remember , you ’ re leading people , not an organization .
Resist the urge to focus on changing the constitution , bylaws , or church structure until you know the people well . The reality is any organizational structure can work well if the people are unified in their passion and direction . One of the marks of the early church was its unity of “ one heart and soul ” ( Acts 4:32 ). Seek to create a oneness of heart , soul , and mind before changing the structure .
“ To be fruitful , you ’ ll need to get others to buy in to your sense of mission and vision .”
As a solo pastor , you ’ ll discover that most churches are structured to keep you from leading . Your church may have a system of boards , committees , and policies that bind your hands rather than release you to lead . Some churches have boards that see their purpose as keeping the pastor under control rather than allowing them to lead . Such a church tries to limit leadership rather than maximize it . Romans 12:6 – 8 indicates that
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