Outreach Mojo

Q: Is Your Pastor the CEO, too?

I'm on the Board of Trustees at my church and attended a mildly contentious meeting a couple of weeks ago. We were discussing mundane policies and the like when a member of the board exclaimed: "It's not our decision! It's the CEO's decision! He's sitting right here!". He then pointed to the end of the table where the pastor sat. I was somewhat stunned because it totally WAS our decision (at least in my mind). Upon reflection, though, the growing duality of the pastor's position struck me hard. 1) Shepherd or CEO: Shepherds consider the needs of the flock and tend them with loving care, concentrating on their spiritual growth. As a former C-level executive, what were my main concerns: revenue generation and expense control. Does that translate into the pastor as the one who decides which programs get the axe when times are tough? The one who is held accountable for the number of bodies at a service or event rather than the quality of the spiritual experience at that event or service? 2) Monarchy or Oligarchy: Just like any other organization, a small percentage of the people are doers or leaders. The rest are followers or bystanders. Decisions can't really be made by truly democratic means or nothing would ever get done. Most religious organizations have something more akin to an oligarchy: a few key people making decisions for the rest of us. When the pastor ascends to a CEO position does he or she continue to rely on the wisdom of the other church leaders? Or is there a growing sense of autonomy and authority? Maybe in today's economy pastor's have to learn to be CEOs. Wouldn't it be interesting if CEOs learned from pastors?

Q: NOMINATIONS for Best Church Blogs - Who Has the Mojo?

Professional Mojo is looking for nominations for the best church blogs. Note: not blogs about churches, but blogs written by church leaders and staff. Post your comments with your nominations and we'll collect and publish for all to see. We're also looking for input from the Twitterverse, too. Have your say and tell us who you're faves are. --Lee

Q: Five Reasons Your Church Visitors Won't Come Back - #3

This is a true story. Once upon a time there was a visitor to a church. The visitor and his wife weren't greeted at the door (see the previous post for that...), but they entered the beautiful sanctuary anyway. People milled about and chatted. Some smiled and nodded their heads to the newcomers. They wandered down the middle aisle and spotted a place in a pew - not too far from the pulpit, but not too close either. They settled into their spot, opened up the bulletin and began to peruse the announcements. A well-known member of the church congregation came and stood next to them. She didn't say anything at first. She just stood next them and looked at the spot where they sat. Then, she asked them to scoot over because that was where she and her husband had sat every Sunday for the last 10 years. Too many church members think that the church is only for them, not for visitors, not for seekers. They might even see a visitor as an inconvenience - someone who sits in a member's regular spot. Remind your congregation that it's not about them. It's about God. And about taking His word out of the church and into the world and the community. Reason #3 why your church visitors won't come back? Someone was just plain mean and treated them as an inconvenience.

Q: Today's Professional Mojo Talk: Social Media and Content

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