My Experience Teaching Pastors about Family Church
Hey THC,
As some of you know, last week, I gave a presentation of Family Church to 12 church planters in So-Cal. I was asked by Jimmie Davidson (my church planting Coach) to do this. I told him one-month ago, when he first asked me to do this, that I didn't feel qualified. I told him that our church has only been doing this since late April, but he insisted.
Below are three reflections that I think may encourage you.
1. Sharing In Regards to Emotions is Hard, Even for Pastors.
So, I had all the Pastors meet at Beautiful Church to park their cars and then walk to my apartment for the rest of the presentation. But while we waited for the later people to arrive, I asked all these Pastors:
"What was your high & low point of this last week?"
I gave them about 3 minutes to pull out their phones, look at their schedules, and think through their past weeks. And then I asked one Pastor to begin to share. And you might be surprised just how hard of a question this was for the Pastors.
Because the truth is that we, as Pastors, are so busy and living at too-fast of a pace to even be able to pause and think about what happened this past week.
Also, it's so hard to speak in terms of emotions and feelings. Mostly because we've sort of been trained as Christians and Pastors that spiritual maturity is mostly knowledge/Theology-based.
But as Peter Scazzero says in "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality":
"It's impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature."
One-by-one, different Pastors shared and I realized how much our church has grown in the area of vulnerability, trust, and sharing how we are doing emotionally. We will continue to grow, of course, but I realized the need for even Pastors to have a tight-knit community.
2. I'm So Grateful for the Commitment of THC.
There were many questions that I took after the presentation I gave. Many of them were related to the commitment-level the FC model asks on it's members.
No one blatantly came out and said this, but it was definitely implied.
"Mitch, this sounds great and all, but my church members couldn't do this..."
I am truly grateful for the incredible people at this church. You guys are awesome! I really mean it. You ain't perfect for sure, but overall I know I'm blessed to have your encouragements, support, and commitment.
Remember the goal. It's not merely to grow the Church numerically.
The goal is to "Win the Lost & Make Disciples" - which will grow our church (in relational depth, Christ-likeness, and numerically).
3. Making an Impact for the Kingdom of Jesus is so Hard, No Matter the Model of Church.
Lastly, I was reminded as various Pastors explained their models/strategies of church, that no matter what THC would have done (or will do in the future) - all churches are in the same boat:
It's hard.
Some Pastors put all their focus on the Sunday gathering. They want Sunday to be the best experience for members and non-Christians.
Some Pastors focus on various programs throughout the week. Programs designed for young adults, married couples, parents, addiction recovery ministries, Bible studies, prayer meetings, etc.
Some Pastors focus on strategic marketing on social media platforms and flyers and use community-events to draw crowds and give information on their churches.
No matter the model. No matter the strategy.
These models/strategies are up against broken and sinful people. These models/strategies are up against spiritual powers.
It's going to be hard, no matter what.
It's hard to really make an impact for the Kingdom in any church model. Sure, FC is tough at times. Sure, there may be areas we can grow in.
Of course trying to evangelize and disciple people will be hard. There is no church model where this is easy.
In the end, I don't know about you, but I just want our church to give her best shot to know God and make Him known. To love God and share His love. To respond to Jesus' Great Commission with a prayerful, loving, thoughtful, & biblical effort.
THC. I love you.
Stay strong THC,
MP
As some of you know, last week, I gave a presentation of Family Church to 12 church planters in So-Cal. I was asked by Jimmie Davidson (my church planting Coach) to do this. I told him one-month ago, when he first asked me to do this, that I didn't feel qualified. I told him that our church has only been doing this since late April, but he insisted.
Below are three reflections that I think may encourage you.
1. Sharing In Regards to Emotions is Hard, Even for Pastors.
So, I had all the Pastors meet at Beautiful Church to park their cars and then walk to my apartment for the rest of the presentation. But while we waited for the later people to arrive, I asked all these Pastors:
"What was your high & low point of this last week?"
I gave them about 3 minutes to pull out their phones, look at their schedules, and think through their past weeks. And then I asked one Pastor to begin to share. And you might be surprised just how hard of a question this was for the Pastors.
Because the truth is that we, as Pastors, are so busy and living at too-fast of a pace to even be able to pause and think about what happened this past week.
Also, it's so hard to speak in terms of emotions and feelings. Mostly because we've sort of been trained as Christians and Pastors that spiritual maturity is mostly knowledge/Theology-based.
But as Peter Scazzero says in "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality":
"It's impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature."
One-by-one, different Pastors shared and I realized how much our church has grown in the area of vulnerability, trust, and sharing how we are doing emotionally. We will continue to grow, of course, but I realized the need for even Pastors to have a tight-knit community.
2. I'm So Grateful for the Commitment of THC.
There were many questions that I took after the presentation I gave. Many of them were related to the commitment-level the FC model asks on it's members.
No one blatantly came out and said this, but it was definitely implied.
"Mitch, this sounds great and all, but my church members couldn't do this..."
I am truly grateful for the incredible people at this church. You guys are awesome! I really mean it. You ain't perfect for sure, but overall I know I'm blessed to have your encouragements, support, and commitment.
Remember the goal. It's not merely to grow the Church numerically.
The goal is to "Win the Lost & Make Disciples" - which will grow our church (in relational depth, Christ-likeness, and numerically).
3. Making an Impact for the Kingdom of Jesus is so Hard, No Matter the Model of Church.
Lastly, I was reminded as various Pastors explained their models/strategies of church, that no matter what THC would have done (or will do in the future) - all churches are in the same boat:
It's hard.
Some Pastors put all their focus on the Sunday gathering. They want Sunday to be the best experience for members and non-Christians.
Some Pastors focus on various programs throughout the week. Programs designed for young adults, married couples, parents, addiction recovery ministries, Bible studies, prayer meetings, etc.
Some Pastors focus on strategic marketing on social media platforms and flyers and use community-events to draw crowds and give information on their churches.
No matter the model. No matter the strategy.
These models/strategies are up against broken and sinful people. These models/strategies are up against spiritual powers.
It's going to be hard, no matter what.
It's hard to really make an impact for the Kingdom in any church model. Sure, FC is tough at times. Sure, there may be areas we can grow in.
Of course trying to evangelize and disciple people will be hard. There is no church model where this is easy.
In the end, I don't know about you, but I just want our church to give her best shot to know God and make Him known. To love God and share His love. To respond to Jesus' Great Commission with a prayerful, loving, thoughtful, & biblical effort.
THC. I love you.
Stay strong THC,
MP
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