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Do You Encourage Strong Lay Leaders?

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1449 **4/7/16 6:54 am**

Are you a one man or woman show or do you encourage strong lay leadership in your church? I'm currently have knowledge of a number of AG churches in our area that are struggling without a pastor. It seems that there is no leadership in the absence of a pastor. Lots of pastors want to be everything to the congregation with little or no support from lay leaders. In my area the strongest churches are the ones with strong lay leaders.

What kind of pastor are you?

wayne

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1274 **4/7/16 7:38 am**

I train all our lay leaders and ministers to be very strong in their positions. I want them to be able to "run the show" in my absence.

My secular job is in a very large hospital and one thing they teach us to do is, train our replacements. I tell our church team that if something were to happen to me, the MISSION COG should continue to operate as normal.

To quote Richard Ussery, "it's not about you, it's all about Him."

sheepdogandy

Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 7307 **4/7/16 8:32 am**

Our Stewards are awesome.

If / when I croak, the Congregation will will continue without a hitch.

I have never understood the fear some pastors have regarding leaders among the members of their church.

The Church is a body, every member is important.
_________________
Charles A. Hutchins
Senior Pastor SPWC
Congregational Church of God

www.spwc.church

Da Sheik

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1865 **4/7/16 11:26 am**

Yes and I am so thankful for the laymen in our church who labor tirelessly. Every year I hold a banquet honoring the lay leaders in our church.

brotherjames

I believe in the Ephesians 4:11 model

Acts-celerater Posts: 935 **4/7/16 8:34 pm**

The 5 fold ministry only exists to "equip" the SAINTS for the work of the ministry. My ministry is to reproduce people to DO ministry. And we are called to be SERVANT leaders not dictators. I would never ask someone to do something that I am not willing to do or have not already done myself .

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Strong Lay Leaders

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1449 **4/8/16 6:31 am**

My view of a strong lay leader is someone that is a servant leader. They care for the people as the Pastor cares. They support their Pastor in all good things. They love God.

A person like this will keep a church stable during periods of instability, regardless of what is occurring.

In my area the large COG's have those leaders. In the small churches you can't find those lay leaders. Most pastors feel that they want to be the only leader or authority figure. That's just the way it is from my experience.

Cojak

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **4/8/16 10:31 am**

Not from a pastor's position, but from that of a member, the days seem to have past that pastors 'continually' diss the 'Church Bosses'. That in many cases is how the 'old time' pastors saw 'STRONG' lay-leaders. They were right in many places, but some have mis-read their members and discouraged and lost good people.

I think everyone has seen it, I think that is changing. There was a time the pastor wanted a 'strong rein' out of fearing 'less control'. AS we visit across the country we do see very good laymen, even in small churches.

A pastor is blessed (IMO) to have lay-persons who can and do fill in the gaps. Leadership that recognizes these folk, shows insight! Cool

_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
jacsher@aol.com
http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/