1.
Names are important. Your church name should
reflect your mission, goals and direction of your ministry. Do not name it
“World Outreach Center” and you have no intention of reaching the world.
2.
Do not complain if a denomination or
organization does not finance the start of your ministry. There usually is a “catch.”
If someone pays for everything, then they normally expect total loyalty and
control. This can be a challenge as your ministry grows. You do not want it
held over your head, “they wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for us.” God
gave you the ministry, trust him and get advice on how to set up a financial
plan to support the ministry.
3.
Do not be afraid to get a job. It does not
mean that you lack faith. It means that you also have common sense. Living by
faith may work for you, but, if you have a family, you need a job, with
benefits and retirement.
4.
Do not start off complaining how hard it is
to pastor. That sends a very bad signal to your members; it makes them feel
bad. You are the one that accepted the call to pastor. No one put a gun up to
your head and made you do it. Now, you must deal with, “the good the bad and
the ugly.”
5.
Try not to use the words, “my church.” There
are other people sacrificing along with you. If you want them to have ownership
of your vision, then you must use inclusive words like, “we”, “us,” and “our.”
Value the input of your members.
6.
Don’t ever say, “If you don’t like how I run
it, then there is the door.” Trust me, people will leave when they get ready.
7.
New churches draw “church hoppers.” You are
just the latest “hot thing” in town.” Do not build your ministry on “church
hoppers.” When the next hottest thing comes along, or they get bored, they will
leave you.
8.
Do not get mad at other churches for not
supporting you. You are the one that God called to start the church. Your
church is not their responsibility. They have their own ministry and
obligations to fulfill. Build your ministry, so that you can be a
self-supporting church; where you can fellowship with other churches out of
comradery and not obligation.
9.
If you just started and have a handful of
members, you are going to wear your members out with multiple services on
Sunday and multiple events during the week. Start off small and as you grow,
you can expand your schedule.
10.
Do not build your ministry on “shouting” and
excitement. Build it on the Word. You and your members will get old and get
arthritis and all kinds of other ailments that come along with age. At that
time, you may not be able to do all of that “shouting.”
11.
Do not just cater to the “now” generation.
First, the “now” generation will eventually become the “has been” generation;
just like all generations. Second, us middle age and older people have
something to offer as well. We will tithe, volunteer, cooperate and stay with
you for many years, because that’s how we were trained by the older
generations.
To be continued….
#IveGotWorkToDo
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