| Dave Dorsey wrote: | The problem is, people don't just need relationships with other believers. They don't just need to be connected to a community group and a serving team or whatever else. They need a pastor. They need a shepherd who knows them and spends time with them and knows what's going on in their life and has a relationship with them that allows for encouragement, discipleship, and so on.
So my theory is that many of these churches become smaller because the people realize they aren't connected at all (e.g. one pastor, bad systems) or they realize they're connected, but not in a meaningful way to a pastor (e.g. one pastor, good systems). This is a huge argument in my opinion for having a plurality of pastor-elders. It's fine if one is kind of the first among equals and takes the bulk of the leadership and teaching role, but the others should be bona fide pastors as well. People should feel that they are deeply connected to pastoral care at the church even if they are connected to one of the non-lead pastors, and I think that's possible in a plurality of elders model, and indeed would go so far as to say that's the biblical design and intent. |
Well said. This is likely a common cause of stunted growth or shrinking congregations. The churches who manage a plurality of leadership are likely the ones sustaining size.
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I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!
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Acts-dicted
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11/25/17 7:42 am
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