“anonymous worship guy” is writing anonymously on behalf of the blog administrator to protect himself and his church. Having authentic and unedited thoughts in this case we hope will be healthy and honoring to how Jesus would want it to be.
I am a Pastor at a small church in Northern California. I am also the youngest staff member at this church. I was hired to bring new energy and life to the church and to help provide a direction. I’ve been here a year and I’ve helped to provide a new direction; but that direction has turned into that street sign above. By that I mean that I helped to plot a course straight ahead in one direction, but the Sr. Pastor then, with the help of feed back from the older congregation members, tries to add directions that will make everyone happy. We then end up with direction that means nothing. I stay the course, while the Sr. Pastor goes one way, the elders another and the trustees another, and well you get the point.
Today my Sr. Pastor comes to talk to me while I’m setting up for worship this weekend and says, “We are going to go back to the old hymns and choruses.” WHAT? Back? We had a vision a dream an idea a direction. And now we are back to the starting line (which if you need a reference is where that separate arrow in the photo points to). At our church direction means nothing. I’ve been asking why this is. The answer is lack of strong leadership. It’s not that we don’t have good leaders at the church; it’s just no one wants to take the helm.
To be honest I do, but I am just an associate or assistant pastor, and I know it’s up the Sr. or lead pastor to take then helm. I have told him a few times he needs to. He doesn’t want too because he is afraid of offending people. The elders, some of them, may want to, but can’t because they don’t work at the church.
So what happens to a church when direction means nothing? Well if you look at our church, even before I came here, it dwindles and dies. The last real direction that this church had was given to them 6 or 7 years ago, and that direction wasn’t very good. Once that pastor left the downward slide began for this church. In my youthful arrogance I thought I could save it, but I can’t, they don’t want to be saved for one, and it isn’t what God called me to do. The church has been at a steady 40 people for the year I’ve been here, and even that isn’t completely accurate. This church has not grown or gained health of any kind since direction left.
So I ask all of you, do you have direction?
on Sep 27th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Sounds to me your church is in a place where so many are, and that sucks. It also sounds like they like the 40 or so people that show up and don’t want a growing church, also sucks, It also sounds that there isn’t much fruit growing there, which sucks the most. I will be praying for you and your church to find direction and for humility in all of this.
on Sep 28th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I went to a church like this for four years, and I just about tore my hair out with this exact same thinking. Although I wasn’t a pastor, I considered myself a leader in the worship/music ministry. It just amazed me how critical decisions regarding music and worship could be made by people with no knowledge of either.
on Sep 29th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Great Blog Rich. We are focused on a direction we want to go with culturally open worship. However, we do need to get together as a team and discuss things. Maybe it’s time for us to fast and pray.
on Sep 29th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Peter… thank Mr. anonymous worship guy for actually writing this post.
on Sep 29th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Great thoughts Mr. anonymous - I feel your pain.
As a “typical” melancholy artist type I’ve generally been of the opinion that too much structure, too much direction, too much strategy will quickly lead to the church’s death. Over the past 3 years my opinion on this has changed drastically, mostly because I’m part of a church that is (some would say) over the top in structure, direction in strategy.
Is it how I would choose or prefer things to be? Probably not. Is it effective? Yes, yes, yes.
We have a mission statement, a vision statement and a strategy philosophy - and you might think we’re crazy for that but the beautiful thing is that they all work together for the sake of expanding the kingdom of God. And that is something I can definitely get behind!
on Sep 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Anonymous -
Please, you and your pastor should read “Who Stole My Church” by Gordon MacDonald!
For the Kingdom,
Fred McKinnon
http://www.fredmckinnon.com
http://www.theworshipcommunity.com
on Sep 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Sad story. It really does boil down to the Sr. Pastor taking the responsibility given to him by God.
I just read “It” by Craig Groeschel and found this a great read for such a topic.
It’s hard to lead a church when there are 40 other leaders.
Take care Anonymous
on Oct 1st, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Peter, I know exactly where you are. I’ve worked at two churches who were trying to both move forward and keep everyone happy at the same time. It just doesn’t work. I don’t really have any suggestions to offer you, as I wasn’t really successful in either situation. I’d follow Fred’s advice and read that book. If you need to talk to someone who’s been there, I’d be happy to.