First of all, serious props for creating a place to have this conversation! I love the posts and I love the tone!
Thought I'd share a few personal reflections.
First of all, I'm deeply grateful for the AG. And I'm deeply loyal. I've been blessed to pastor a church in a district that embraced us, invested in us, and believed in us. They also gave us the latitude to be ourselves and do things a little different. I'm forever grateful to Dr. Bob Rhoden, who was our superintendent when we came into the Potomac district.
When we first started out in ministry, I was tempted to jump off the AG ship. I think part of it was my immaturity--the maverick in each of us that wants to do our own thing. And part of it was frustration at what I perceived to be a lack of openness to change. But I got some wise counsel from some wise leaders. You can't make a difference from the outside! So I'm grateful to be part of this fellowship--warts and all. I'm also encouraged by the seeds of change I see. So many districts are reinventing themselves!
I have a guiding principle: we need lots of different kinds of churches because there are lots of different kinds of people. So I want to affirm the more traditional and older churches and pastors amongst us. Many of them blazed the trail we walk. But I love what Basho said:
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.
If you have studied organizational life cycles and the demographics of the AG, our greatest challenge is our age! We're getting older and older. I get death notices from our district office several times a month! So our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity is recruiting a new generation of pastors and church planters.
So the $64,000 question to me is this: what kind of leader can help us grow younger?
Here are ten characteristics I'm looking for:
1) Spiritual intensity--a raw heart for God
2) Non-conformist--appreciates our history but also challenges the Status Quo
3) Doesn't just speak in AG cliches--fresh thoughts and fresh methods
4) Imagination--more concerned about creating the future than repeating the past.
5) Contexual Intelligence--keen ability to understand the times ala the Tribe of Isachaar.
6) Proven track record of pastoral leadership--someone who's been there and done that.
7) Humor--someone who can laugh at themselves
8) Neotenic--young at heart regardless of age
9) Innovator--believes that there are ways of doing church that no one has thought of yet.
10) Missional--huge heart for missions and church planting.
I'm sure there are glaring defects and absences with that list. But that is my two-cents.
See you at Council.
Friday, July 20, 2007
What I'm Looking For
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37 comments:
I appreciate this forum for young,engaged, and thoughtful leaders to share their concerns and hopes. Let me say as the only DS in the nation with elementary aged children, I understand the frustration with the older bent of this great church. I look forward to dialoging with many of you over the coming days and weeks about your hopes and dreams for the ministry of the AG.
I would also like to agree with the original post. All ten of these characteristics are vital to true Pentecostal leadership. During my seventeen year ministry at a wonderful church in Versailles, Ky, I did my very best to incorporate many of these ideals into my pastoral ministry. I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to the shaping of our denomination in the 21st Century in a greater way than ever before.
I believe that God has called us "for such a time as this." This election is vital for the future of our movement here in the United States and more importantly for the potential success of our church around the world. My wife, a physician and the first woman to ever serve on the Executive WOrld Missions committee, has been in prayer for many months about the next step in our ministry.
Blessings to you all,
JSG
So if I am reading this correctly...Joe are you looking a the possibility of wanting to be nominated?
Great comment by Mark. This post give a clear perspective of what is going to be necessary for the next GS. Balance, wisdom and experience.
I am proud to be licensed with the AG but my dream is that we do not become another aged movement that is lost in itself and bureaucracy but one that can re-focus and become a powerful move of God again for reaching the lost in this country and around the world, like our heritage.
But this is key (and only my opinion)...I don't believe the next great wave of evangelism and renewal in our midst will look anything like the "revivals" of the last generation.
Yes we must be filled with the Spirit, yes we must reach the lost but we need to see a new vision and quit trying to re-create the "experience" as the end all or main thing. We need a leader that can see the path to the future without being blinded by the great experiences of the past. Not that these were bad, God has done incredible things in this fellowship.
The future requires a new path, we need to re-build an organization that will embrace the new ideas of the next generations to come. A mentality that motivates and encourages thinking outside of the box, fostering creativity and change instead of the mass packaging of last years religious experience or program.
By the way, Mark I have heard your name come up as an option. Don't know anything about you yet but I am not that great at beating around the bush...so...are you wanting to be nominated as well?
That's the million dollar question Mark. You fit the bill, you have the name recognition, but would you leave your church for the job? I know I wouldn't leave my church plant for it. Most guys I know in effective churches feel the same way. The AG's great, but we were called to save souls, not movements. Where could you have more influnce for the Kingdom - HQ or the local church?
Anthony Scoma
Southwest Family Fellowship
Austin
It is great to see strong young leades with new ideas come forward. Both Mark and Joe seem to be such leaders. I know the AG is blessed to have their influence.
My concern is that the job of GS is more of an administrative job than just a leadership job. The AG is a huge "ship" and to change the direction of such a ship with history and a huge installed base will be a difficult undertaking. Look at all of the effort put into "transformation" recently and judge the results for yourself.
The very fact that it is 2007 and the AG has for the FIRST time appointed a woman to the World Missions Board, when since the very begining of our movment more than half of our missionaries have been women, demonstrates how progressive we really are.
What is needed are three things.
First, a determined leader at the top, with strong skills in administration. I am not suggesting Joe and Mark, or anyone like them, is not that person. I just want to make clear that strong administrative skills are crucial in the job.
Second will be a large number of progressive leaders at different levels, such as the other executive (both resident and non-resident)positions (again, I am not suggesting that the current execs are not progressive).
Finally, there need to be change agents at the leadership level in all or most of the Districts. One good example of what can be done at this level is in the Northwest District Council, which is now known as the Northwest Ministry Ntework(http://www.northwestministry.com/site/start.php.
This is a model for change that has impacted a whole district with over 300 churches.
It will take a lot more than change in one position to renew and revitalize the AG USA. Lets pray that this General Council is the begining of what is needed.
Dave
I think that certain leaders can make an exponential difference when leading a fellowship. We all love what we do because we inspire leaders in our fields of ministry. The leader of one of the South Africa branches of the A/G named Donovan Coetzee is a model that we should look at. Not only does he demand and see excellence rise within his fellowship, but he has his hand in the lives of individuals as well. He is mentoring new converts in the remote bush, and honing the skills of top pastors. He not only preaches in the churches, but lives life with key leaders around the world. His motto of doing life is “because I can”. A motto the allows him to transcend any barrier and bring excellence to a fellowship. He is generous with his time, always willing to mentor, and yet a leader among leaders. He makes everyone around him better, but that sphere of influence is not limited to a HQ building. We often think that with a Admin position that we are behind a desk, but as we have seen through many of our peers that ministry can be done in a variety of ways. For instance Mark Batterson speaks to me almost every day on a blog. Guys like Brad Leach inspire me to think deeper, and the Jeff Leake’s bring leadership lessons to anyone who will tune in. The current mode of GC is to be in an office, and to facilitate a movement. As this council approaches it would be great to see a leader step in who can inspire the individual, and not just facilitate. There are some great names being put up on this blog, and my perspective is this… Who would I want to invest in me? Can this happen? I love the A/G and am getting ready to become a carreer missionary, but I always like to see things move forward. With transition comes opportunity, but I know God does have his hand on things….. I will be tuning in for other thoughts, and will be praying for God to raise up the right guy…..
In my view, God needs to raise up a leader who will hear His voice about the direction of the Assemblies of God for the future.
His key skill after that will be to cast a powerful vision, build an effective team of influencers and create enough passion for change for people to endure the pain change will require.
The reality is that God's direction of our future is going to be rejected by a huge number of us. Either traditionalist hard-liners will reject what others call cultural relevance or the others of us will reject the hard-line pentecostal stance of our past.
Moving everyone together and transitioning the A/G to be driven by a preferred future will be a miracle in its own right.
And a miracle is what we need!
Chad,
I really care about this decision immensely. And it is personal for me. My father-in-law, Bob Schmidgall was in the running for General Superintendent at the last election fourteen years ago. And he was the leading vote getter on the nominee ballot for Assistant Superintendent, but he withdrew his name after praying about because he felt called to continue pastoring. I remembering praying with lots of intensity at that council for God's will. I feel the same way this time around.
To answer your question, I'll definitely be praying but I definitely won't be "running" :) Besides the fact that I'd probably get 2.5 votes, I feel called to pastor one church for life. I honestly can't imagine another ministry scenario. And I would make a horrible superintendent :) Just being straight-up.
While the GS comes with tremendous leadership influence, I don't envy the next GS :)
Blessings,
Mark
Mark,
I appreciate the straight up answer. I would guess that many that have paid the dues and struggles of a church plant or seeing a church turn around and do tremendous things, would have a hard time stepping away. Unless of course God is providing the courage for the new journey. I do not envy the next GS either. The expectations will be high.
There is a reason God is stirring the desire to see change in many hearts. Let's all be in prayer that God would call a leader that has the qualities that we value and have the wisdom to unite us.
As an inside observer of ag’dom—here’s my list to add for your consideration of characteristics for new leaders:
One of the most important needs for our leadership is someone who has not yet be institutionalized by the ag system at the district or national levels. Here’s a now classic definition of institutionalism by Red from Shawshank Redemption (edited for ag eyes):
RED
Heywood, enough. Ain't nothing
wrong with Brooksie. He's just
institutionalized, that's all.
HEYWOOD
Institutionalized, my donkey.
RED
Man's been here fifty years. This
place is all he knows. In here,
he's an important man, an educated
man. A librarian. Out there, he's
nothing but a used-up old con with
arthritis in both hands. Couldn't
even get a library card if he
applied. You see what I'm saying?
FLOYD
Red, I do believe you're talking
out of your donkey.
RED
Believe what you want. These walls
are funny. First you hate 'em, then
you get used to 'em. After long
enough, you get so you depend on
'em. That's "institutionalized."
JIGGER
Sugar. I could never get that way.
ERNIE
(softly)
Say that when you been inside as
long as Brooks has.
Unfortunately, even reformers and innovators get institutionalized real quick and begin depending upon the very doors they came to nail their thesis to…So please, let’s not choose a current district or national leader.
Second, they need to understand that our institutional lifecycle demands that we downsize. We are paying millions for institutional maintenance for the 1,000 aghq employees and “missionaries” throughout the city of Springfield that must immediately be turned into working capital to adequately train, launch, and sustain young innovative church planters (stateside) and fund a growth edge for the movement. The reason the decade of decline (harvest) didn’t succeed is that we were still funding Zimmerman, Carlson, and Trask burgeoning bureaucracies.
Third, we need someone who understands the lingua franca of our society—pop culture. They need to be able to articulate an intelligent missional interface with film, music, art, media, etc. The separatist policies of old school holiness—never fit well with Jesus’ ethic and personal lifestyle.
Fourth, the next round of leadership needs to be term-limited and serious consideration needs to be given to moving aghq out of the Midwest (or completely to cyber world—no brick and mortar)!
Fifth, we need leadership that will take a sophisticated look at the entire ag system and retool it for the 21st century. Sections, presbyters, executive presbyters, general presbyters, districts, superintendents, licensed/ordained, clergy, district/general council affiliated, voluntary cooperative fellowships, 16 fundamental truths—now there’s a list of archaic, outmoded terms (and systems). I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a root canal than attend another “sectional fellowship” with the brethren!
That’s my take for now—AGHOPEFUL (Barely)
Just a few thoughts...I know many of my pastor friends including myself would not want to leave their church to lead a national or district office for that matter. As said before, they are "on the front lines" if you will. Is it too wild of a thought to do what the Australian Assemblies of God do...have a pastor as their president? Brian Houston pastors one of the largest if not the largest church in Australian, yet leads their movement.
I know our constitution is different than theirs, but our future may mandate it.
I have never held an administrative position in the AG, but it is my guess that if you lead a fellowship for years and years after leaving a local church, even if you had a great church long ago, changes happen so fast in our culture that it is hard to stay connected with what is happening in the communities pastors serve in.
We have grown to the size that we must be innovative in order to remain effective.
Mark, I never knew you were AG. How freaking cool.
If I were still in the Assemblies, you'd have my vote. I love what you're doing in DC. Great blog and great inspiration. All the best man.
Jeremy
Mark,
Great insight on your "10 Characteristics" list. I agree. Perceptive insight. Profound thinking. Press on.
Wow, this is all really exciting! I definitely resonate with the hesitancy to elect someone who will be quickly institutionalized and buried in red tape. However, I don't think we should rule out all of our district level/network leaders at all. I come from an extremely progressive Ministry Network (the Northwest) as was mentioned before. These people in leadership are remarkable, humble, passionate, seeking out ways in which to engage the culture and include young people in ministry leadership. I have hope in how God can change some people that could have easily become institutionalized, but honestly I'm seeing more life, vitality, and desperation to further the true cause of Christ- (relationships and redemption) from these leaders at the District Level. Their leadership has shown a huge increase in the credentialing of young ministers and women ministers, and they are seeking to resource these ministers and find ways to mentor them, rather than just be "figureheads" by any means.
Thanks all for sharing thoughts and insights about future leadership for the AG. I liked what Mark talked about when he said the first trait should be a raw heart for God. Great word Mark. The hope for our nation does not in my opinion lie with the next leader of our movement, but with an passionate cry for God to do as He wills in us and through us. There is no doubt that God supernaturally moved at the beginning of our movement and He I believe can do it again if we will be attentive to His voice.
We all have been blessed in many ways to be part of a movement that God has seen fit to bless in some incredible ways. One of those ways is with the inclusion of diverse personalities who can be creative and innovative. This blog is a wonderful reminder of both, thanks for getting it started.
I do believe that the new leadership should be passionate about our purpose and mission to share the gospel with the entire world by all available means and to plant and grow transformational churches in this nation that will be a catalyst for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit.
In the final analysis we are looking for God's man whomever that may be. We are not looking for the most elect able or the most well known , but are asking God to give us His man for this hour. In the final analysis it must come down to a desire on the part of the movement and its constituents to begin to ask God for His direction leadership. I would encourage all those who visit this site to set aside time to fast and pray for this very important GC.
Thanks for the tone of the discussion and openness to share . I look forward to seeing more input to come.
Mark Lehmann
Cornerstone Church
Bowie, MD
Mark,
Good to bump into you in the blogosphere my friend :)
I really have no idea who God is going to tap on the shoulder, but I agree with the sentiment that we've got to fight against the natural tendency toward institutionalization. I love what they've done in Australia. And I definitely think it could be a model.
While we've got some great leaders who are in "organizational positions." And I think we've got some district leaders who are really leading change. The Northwest Ministry Network is definitely one of them, Jana. Uber-impressed with them. There is part of me that thinks that a GS who comes out of a pastorate (or stays in the pastorate while functioning as GS)would be the most effective leader.
My two cents,
Mark
here is the interesting part to me about the idea of going to the model of a still-serving pastor also filling the role of GS. at this district council, essentially we would have to elect an interm GS, or elect a leadership team who thinks it is a good idea that either they don't serve that long, or someone who has a genuine desire to get back to pastoring quickly once in the office of GS. the reason for this is simple: there would have to be a vote to change that part of the constitution, and there is no resolution for it this year.
But I am all for going to that model. I think there are some great (not to mention influential) men (and maybe women) of God, who would serve in that role, IF they could continue to pastor the churches they have faithfully served...and could really carry our movement forward into the next few years.
love the discussion
This is an awesome discussion and I appreciate the chance to listen and reflect together prior to council.
I have a question sparked by Mark Lehman's comment: What is the mission and purpose of the Assemblies of God?
I'm curious, if you had to articulate it in a single sentence, how much agreement there would be. I'm also curious what any of you would say that mission/purpose should be, particularly the mission of the General Council (HQ) of the Assemblies.
So, what is the mission of the General Superintendent or the headquarters of the A/G?
Mark
Mark always great to talk with you no matter where it happens. Thanks for sharing about your Father in Law. I remember some of those thoughts I had at that time and it was neat to hear some of what was going on in his heart as far as his love for pastoring. You know that we all looked up to him.
I also am intrigued by what is going on in Australia as far as a Pastor serving also as a leader of the movement. Do you know anything about the things that brought them to that point? I know that there are other large movements and or denominations in the US that have this model. There is something to be said about keeping in touch with what is happening outside of the beltway of DC and also the "Beltway" of Springfield. I am not saying that someone couldn't do it, I am just suggesting that it is difficult to keep a pulse when there is so much of the structure that demands the GS's attention. Like you I am praying and believing God for Grace and His leadership.
Mark:
Thank you for your post! I appreciate the list of 10 qualities you're looking for in a general superintendent. And, more generally, I appreciate the prayerful and thoughtful comments that pastors are posting here. We young pastors (baby busters and down) often distrust and distance ourselves from institutions. I'm glad to see so many people concerned enough about the future of our denomination to dialogue about what qualities we're looking for in our leaders, especially the general superintendent.
Unfortunately, I get the impression from reading some of the posts and comments that many are not familiar with what the general superintendent actually does. Is everyone aware, for example, that the general supintendent is chairman of the board of AG Financial Services, which has $2.5 billion in funds under management? That he is the denomination's liaison not merely to other American denominations and parachurch organizations (such as the National Association of Evangelicals), but also to over 200 international churches through AG World Fellowship (and similar trans-national organizations)? That he exercises a sizeable influence on national ministries (children, youth, adults), publications (GPH, Pentecostal Evangel, Enrichment), and our institutions of higher learning (Evangel, CBC, AGTS, etc.)? Additionally, he is our primary spokesman in the national media as well as liaison to political organizations (the parties, the Congress, the White House)? With an election year approaching, it's important that we have a culturally savvy person in the job, since both Democrats and Republicans are courting evangelical voters.
What I'm trying to get at is that being general superintendent is not like being the lead pastor of a really, really large church. It's a much, much bigger job than that, and it requires a skillset more like a CEO or a political executive than a pastor. (And yet, he has to be a pastor too.)
So, while I'm interested in someone who has a progressive vision for the future, I'm also interested in someone who has a good handle on what's actually hapening in the denomination right now. You don't make a 3-million-adherent denomination into an emergent-missional-postmodern church overnight. We need someone who knows where the denomination needs to head but who also has the skill to lead it there.
I look forward to seeing you and Lora in Indy.
George P. Wood
Living Faith Center
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
P.S. For those who know who I am and who my dad is, I should probably add that I'm speaking for myself here, not for him.
An organization the size of the A/G cannot be changed overnight. But it would be helpful to have a GS that would start planting the seeds for a complete organizational overhaul. I really sense the A/G is presently at the most crucial juncture in its history. If the wrong GS is elected you may see many young, innovative leaders bolt sensing that things will never change, which will eventually be the death knell of the movement. We really need to elect someone that can inspire and challenge the movement to embrace and focus on the future!
Thanks, Mark, for sharing your insight with us concerning qualities needed in our future leader. You are a gift to our Fellowship. You are appreciated.
john m. palmer
I deeply appreciate this forum and believe it could have a positive effect of helping generate important information that could direct us to a more intelligent selection of the future GS.
Mark, I'm grateful for your comments, as related to what you are looking for in a leader. You talk about non-conformity, imagination, contextual intelligence, and innovation.
Unfortunately, I don't think any leader who is nominated will experience the desired level of effectiveness until the critical need for structural change is addressed. Our system, as it currently functions, is not conducive to enhancing the characteristics you mentioned.
In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented move to centralize decision making. As in most centralization efforts, the unintended consequence has been to squelch voices that we desperately need to hear.
If the Assemblies of God is to reverse the trend of stagnated growth and loss, bold and courageous steps must be taken and those steps must include a decentralization of power and decision making present within the current structure.
Our church must look at implementing strong regional resource centers in four or five regions of the country. The downsizing of a central headquarters would ultimately be a part of this change, as the geographically regionalized centers would become powerfully relevant to the populations they would serve.
I honestly believe that unless a structural change is initiated in the near future, the dire consequences which we will suffer will be severe. Since stated change would directly affect the function of the General Superintendent's office, as well as all others on the Board of Administration, whoever is voted into the office of GS, in August, must be someone of a particular mindset and conviction...that of deep change. This person must, from the beginning, understand the need for and begin to unselfishly, lead the type of change that will result in empowering A/G congregations to do what they have historically done best---be used by the Spirit to breathe new spiritual life into cities and communities everywhere.
I agree that there must be a forum, prior to the final voting, in which we can hear the convictions of the final candidates on this issue. I am looking for people who can honestly say that they are willing to lead structural change that would, no doubt, call for modifications in our constitution and bylaws resulting in opening the way for growth in the future.
Butch Frey
George,
Great insight on the scope of the position! Makes me think....
I wonder if the GS portfolio needs to be evaluated? If the GS has their hands in that many things it almost begs for reorganization or restructuring...
Part of what I love about pastoring is the different hats we get to wear--everything from communication to real estate to marketing to leadership. I love the variety. But I also know that it is so easy for me to get stretched pretty thin and neglect the primary functions. I think I can be good at about three things :) And I'd rather be good at three things that ok at five things...
Just thinking about loud. I know it's so easy for a relative "outsider" to call for restructuring, but maybe we need to figure out how to reinvent and streamline the fellowship. Take it seriously and get some professional help. Maybe that would be a good first step for a new superintendent?
Just thinking about loud. And when I read what I wrote it's a little depressing because it seems like an overwhelming task. But the right person in the wrong system doesn't work--Jethro had to help Moses reorganize so he could keep his sanity.
Mark
I think the measuring stick for a capable GS candidate is not what the present office has become, but what it needs to be. Over the years the roles and responsibilities of the GS have expanded. I’m certain many of them could be delegated or reassigned to allow him to concentrate on tasks more imporant to this Fellowship. For example, chairing AG Financial Services -- undoubtedly there are lots of capable individuals in the AG who can fill that role. And there’s no reason why other leaders (like the assistant GS) can’t help fulfill the liason/ceremonial functions. My impression, after three decades at Headquarters, is that committees, meetings, budgets, etc. take up an inordinate percentage of the GS’s time and energies.
When the apostles chose to delegate administrative duties that were bogging them down, what happened? “The word of God spread” (Acts 6:1-7). Isn’t that the goal of the AG? We need to allow for more front-line ministry and less “waiting on tables.”
I believe this dialogue is great. Our new GS and other execs can have a great impact, but I also believe that a lot of important changes does happen at Sectional and District Council where we NEED more participation from all age groups across our fellowship. Grassroots movements at section, district and national levels will really bring wholistic change to our movement. This blog is brilliant and courageous. I hope every district council from now on will be preceeded by such open and honest dialogue.
Great discussion on Mark's post!
Butch, you wrote, "If the Assemblies of God is to reverse the trend of stagnated growth and loss, bold and courageous steps must be taken and those steps must include a decentralization of power and decision making present within the current structure." I don't see the connection between "centralization" and "stagnated growth and loss." To put it in the form of a question, what specific decentralization at the national level will lead to church growth at the congregational level? This year, for example, I became pastor of a stagnant growth church. I cannot imagine any decentralization at the national or even district level that will reverse my growth process. Perhaps I'm misunderstanding your point. If so, please clarify for me. Thanks!
Mark, you're right that the GS's job is huge, but (1) whoever is elected has to handle the job description as it is before he can write a new job description, and (2) a rewritten job description depends on what we think the GS's primary responsibilities should be. Many of the posts and responses on this site seem to think of the GS as the pastor of a very, very large church. But is that the right picture? If anything, the GS is more like the pastor of AG pastors, but even this has severe limitations, for who can pastor over 18,000 individuals spread out across the North American continent? I think a better model (however imperfect) is that the GS is the CEO of a large, service organization. But even this has downsides. I guess what I would like to see, if we're going to talk about what we would like the GS to do, is more specificity. The character traits you mentioned are great, but at the end of the day, they are applicable to all Christians, not just the GS. What we need is a list of character qualities and a job description that is specific to running a 3-million adherent denomination. So far, I haven't seen much mention on the blog of simple managerial competence, for example, even such competence is--in my opinion, anyway--a sine qua non of any job, and especially the GS job.
George
Interesting discussions.
It's late and I'm tired, but I wanted to throw one random thought out before I call it a night.
I read (and hear) a lot of lists for what we want in a leader. And often, we find people to fit those lists. But sometimes leadership has the ability to "change" people. People who even outwardly appear to "stick close to Jesus."
As I study these lists (and most are very good lists!), I am reminded quite readily of two prominent leaders that were connected to us in the Eighties: Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker. Now, I was really young in those years, but I would consider them relevant to their time periods, missional focused...blah blah blah. Both of them started in the right place, but severely detoured.
All I'm saying is this: As I pray for guidance as we seek new leadership, the only thing I want is DISCERNMENT. Not just a list to check off.
Sadly, this is something I don't see very much from many in my generation. (I'm 33.) I pray that God gives me and every one else who will be casting a vote in a few weeks to see past the glitz, the glam, the big churches, and the well-crafted sermons. I want us to choose God's man. And not the man I think is God's man. Because at the end of it all, God knows all our hearts. And none of us know what's in them.
I'm not saying any of those lists are wrong at all. But like George P. Wood said: Leading the Fellowship is NOTHING like leading a church. I have been around it enough to witness this firsthand. And it's nothing like leading a district office, either. One thing to remember is that what works in one part of the country doesn't necessarily mean it will work "broad spectrum." Our churches are incredibly diverse. And whoever leads us needs to respect that diversity.
And this is where I get back to discernment. Because not only do I want discernment for myself and for all the voters, but I want it in my leadership. Because often, what is right, isn't what's popular. And that can be a very difficult thing to do when you're an elected official. ;)
George,
Thanks for allowing this stuttering missionary to clarify himself. I should probably have posted my commentary during daylight rather than at 2:30 AM. When I referred to stagnated growth and loss, I was speaking of numbers of new churches that are thriving as opposed to those that are closing annually. Currently we are not experiencing overall growth that results in healthy congregations being established as a result of vigorous systems being generated. These systems can be spawned more easily on a regional basis than nationally. We can continue with the same structure and see the same results that are currently being produced or we can begin looking outward to countries that have taken gutsy steps to strengthen themselves by empowering regions from within.
We are already seeing the benefits of visionary leadership in some of our districts throughout the U.S. Those are districts that are in touch with their context and not afraid to stray from the beaten path in order to make an impact. I believe that regions (clusters of districts), if empowered with resources that now flow into a centralized system, could see even greater results. I’m not proposing decentralization, simply for the sake of decentralization, but, in order to empower a regional structure that could more readily focus on its own self-defined needs. I believe that an empowered regional structure could, in fact, more readily infuse energy into new and existing congregations as well as develop a diversity of ministries pertinent to the given context.
Butch
Butch:
Thanks for the clarification of your position! I agree with you regarding the necessity of strong, visionary district leadership. I think church growth happens first at the congregational level under the leadership of missional pastors. But those missional pastors need strong district leaders to back them up. I have the support and friendship of my district superintendent, Ray Rachels. I wouldn't have my job without him, and I know he's pulling for my church to grow. Also, our district leaders are making district council into a "leadership summit" style event, which enables pastors to get timely information. We've also just elected a new, younger, assistant superintendent--Rich Guerra. He's in his 40s (I think), pastored a good-sized church, and is bringing some new energy to the district. So, congregations first, backed up by districts. I think what the general council leadership can do is set a vision for growth, provide resources for districts and congregations (programs, curricula, etc.). But beyond that (and perhaps a little funding from AGFS), I'm not sure what the GC can do to arrest decline at the local level.
George
P.S. Thanks for your service on the missions field. You guys are my heroes.
This is one long comment stream :)
Just had a thought to throw in the mix. Love the comment about needing discernment. The good thing is that leaders know how to spot leaders. And while I threw out "ten things I'm looking for" the decision really comes down to a "sixth sense" that is based on my personal experience and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. I really don't know who is going to emerge as a leading nominee for GS, but isn't it great to be part of a fellowship that trusts the Holy Spirit!
I hope that the decision ends up being one of those Acts 15:28 moments: it seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit.
Mark
i would sort of like to see someone come out of left field. not that anyone on "the list" is bad, and one of those people might be the right person. but i also think of david, moses, peter, etc. and hope and pray we don't leave the right person out tending the sheep when he's supposed to be leading the army.
i think that a lot of what happens at that high of an organizational level has to do with finding the right people to fill the positions beneath you. in my view most really healthy, growing, sustainable churches are never reliant on just the sr./lead pastor. the leaders job is to recognize the multitude of other things that must be done and be wise and discerning enough to fill them correctly.
i realize that i am mostly agreeing with a few other comments on here, but i think if we start looking at past performance in candidates as indicators, who they hired and where they are now should be a major consideration.
jeff boone
minneapolis, mn
Would it be safe to say that the buzz word for today is "leadership?" There has been so much written and said concerning leadership that sometimes I feel lost: What makes a great leader, The making of a Leader... While I do consider leadership to be important, for me the most important trait is "a person's passion for following Christ and being more like Him." It might seem a bit simple, but I have met many who would be considered a great leader but didn't have a great heart. So my prayer for this important election is "God, give us a person who has a heart to follow you."
I'm enjoying listening to this conversation from 5 thousands miles away. Some thoughts.
I've now lived in three different countries where the GS is also a pastor. For it to work, you have to be willing to rethink the role of the Pastor, not the role of the GS necessarily. A traditoinal pastor wouldn't work in the role but a pastor who viewed his role (his church would have to also it this way) as an apostolic role. Yikes, i know i used a term we don't use much in our circles, sorry if the nut cases out there have soured you on the term. Anyway, i would love to see someone put into place straight out of a church ministry, just becuase i believe it would assure us that we have someone who is closer to the life of what is happening in society.
now, as far as adminstrative duties, I would gently like to disagree. I have personally seen and experienced where wonderful people in ministry are turned into glorified executive secretaries. But our movement has a secretary. we need a leader, not a manager. Someone who will risk it all, and not play it safe. For example, why do we still have printing presses? in the age of outsourcing, we are maintaining expensive equipment when in house/outsourced writers and design, etc. But i deviate.
David slew his giant with no experience. Jesus had no experience saving the world. I'm just a little leary of making experience the end all of leadership. Let's listen to the Spirit more than the powers of making sense.
JSG- perhaps a moot point, but DAS in NE also has elementary aged children.
Grant
George P. Wood: Unfortunately, "you see things as they are and ask why"--It's time for someone who "sees things that never were, and asks why not!" Who asked the GS to superintend over a huge bureaucracy? This is the problem I have with the system at this juncture; we claim not to be a centralized denomination—and yet we function like we are.
I do not want one penny of my money to fund outdated central programs of the denomination. I have never used their publications, their programs, their resources—by the time Springfield gets around to endorsing it, it’s 15 years behind the times! Provide a minimal structure for sending missionaries, overseeing colleges, and some standards for a ministerial credential (one—not several types of credentials). The days when we need to produce “Pentecostal” publications is over—this could be outsourced to existing publishing houses and a fraction of the cost.
The only thing I want from the GS is vision! Get together with the state level (districts) come up with strategy for making more a better disciples and for planting and sustaining growing churches and church leaders. All the bureaucratic “management” is of NO value to me or to my ministry. And it never has been.
It’s time for us to go back to the original, simplistic founding principles of our movement and cut the costly, centralized government.
The easiest thing to do is to expect leadership at the top of the structure to change the A/G. The truth is we all have to take personal responsibility in providing highly spiritual and excellent leadership where we are right now. There is no "savior" for this movementother than Jesus Christ. If you are an AG minister, then you are the AG. You are the future of the AG. As a fellowship, let's all take the responsibility of changing it one church, one minister, one relationship at a time. Who we choose to lead our fellowship is extremely important, but let's not lose our focus on the fact that each of us can only change ourselves first, then catalytic change happens around us and grows.
We had the honor of having Gen. Supt. Thomas Trask in our services yesterday morning (Aug 5) and (it seemed to me because I cannot speak for him) that his heart was heavy yet excited for the future of this fellowship. The mantle he has carrid is no small thing. I would challenge every person who posts and entry to this blog also take the time to send a note or email of appreciaton honoring the man who had led us so well these last 14 years. Give honor to whome honor is due.
Wayne Murray
Grace Assembly of God
Greenwood, IN
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