LeaderCare’s Director of Alabama Baptist Missionary Commission, Ken Allen, said leadership development is an ongoing process, and he’s a growing but unreached “practitioner.”
“We learn by doing, we learn from each other,” Allen said. “Our leadership in our church must be biblical and missionary. We want to help the church discover its God-given purpose.”
Allen hosted the second of four training sessions in the Intentional Leader Series on April 18 at the SBOM facility in Prattville. The first session on January 17th focused on the pastor as a person. The April event focused on Pathfinder work.
“Finding God’s will for ourselves and our church is a strategic part of what we do. We want to bring about biblical change without blowing things up!” Allen said with a laugh.
complain
He pointed out that we live in a time of discontent.
“Most of us remember the so-called ‘sexual revolution’ of the 1960s, but I’m not quite sure what to call the era we’re living in now,” he said. . “In this time of uncertainty and turmoil, we must build on the best we already have and create a thirst for positive change. , it takes time and patience.”
Allen suggested that leaders must be able to lead themselves.
“How can we ask people to follow us in prayer when we are not living a vibrant life of prayer? Can I ask you to seek God in the Bible every day if you don’t?” he asked. “Our leadership is real when we ask people to join us on our journey.”
Allen said leaders need to listen to others as well.
“We love to reply to people, and sometimes we write them down while they are still talking,” he said. “Listening is a discipline we must learn.”
retreat value
Allen recommended that attendees consider planning a retreat that will take place at the venue for several hours or one night, gathering key leaders for prayer.
“In this setting, we ask small groups to discuss and evaluate church ministry rather than individuality and share ideas with the larger group,” he said. “Then select the top priorities that the church should have.”
Allen distributed six simple assessment forms focusing on worship, evangelism, discipleship, ministry, fellowship and prayer.
“I have used this setting and these tools as an interim pastor, but I don’t need a transition period like this to see what the church is doing and to prayerfully consider ministry priorities. ‘ he said. “And, of course, the arguments for implementing our proposals must not be overlooked, otherwise they will be inadequate.”
The second presenter is Rob Jackson, Director of SBOM Church Health Department. His topic was “12 steps to get more guests and keep them coming back”.
Jackson said a welcoming church starts with the pastor.
“We’re ‘locked’ in the office and can’t afford not to come out,” he said. “We have to be with people and love them dearly. We have to remember names and try hard to make everyone feel special.” Set an example for everyone else to become a church.”
seeker friendly
Jackson suggests that Tom Reiner’s research suggests guests have 12 minutes to decide whether or not to return.
“We have to look at the facility with our guests in mind, and it’s nice to have someone outside the church take a fresh look at things because they’re used to doing things the way they used to,” Jackson said. “Can we find a way to improve the atmosphere in our church?”
Jackson suggested considering parking, signage, temperature, cleanliness, sound and lighting.
He also recommended that leaders reconsider their services, simplifying the order of services so as not to startle guests, and make sure leaders know what is going on.
“One Sunday I came to the pulpit to preach before the choir finished singing the national anthem!” he said with a laugh. “I took a quick look at the order of worship and thought I understood it, but clearly I didn’t!”
value of testimony
Mr. Jackson said personal testimonies of God’s grace and power in the lives of church members are also effective in worship, but they should be prepared in advance because testimonies can be like mini-sermons. I learned to record and edit
He also encouraged guests to follow up in a timely manner. Perhaps that afternoon he left his hanger at the door at home and made a phone call or sent a note.
Jackson also spoke about the new member’s experience with the class. He said the class can be offered to those who are considering joining the church or have already announced their intention to join.
“At my church in Decatur, I asked people who wanted to attend to join a class and then introduced them to the church,” he said.
“The class covered the history of our church, our relationship with the mission committee, the assurance of salvation, and the purpose of ordinances. Covenant, in fact, I asked the entire Church to affirm these simple principles outlined in the New Member Pledge.
Allen says some useful leadership tools can be found at: alsbom.org In the Ministry tab, under Leadership Resources and leadership.lifeway.com.
The third training event in this series will take place on July 25th and will focus on sermons.
Allen can be reached at extension 800-264-1225. 2210, or by email kallen@alsbom.org.