People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
The Pastor as Leader: Accountability
by James W. Moss, Sr.
Pastor Harry Simpson of Cornerstone Church goofed. As he explained the problem to his elders, he laid the blame at someone else’s feet. This behavior was not new. After the meeting, Elders Jones and Brown were discussing the evening. Elder Jones said, “I just wish that Pastor Simpson would be accountable for his own actions.” Christian leaders are accountable in a variety of ways.
Christian leaders become very cognizant of time frames. Target deadline dates. Make notes on your calendar when certain projects must be finished. Make accurate estimates on working time. Estimate how long you think a project will take and double that time. A project almost always takes longer than I thought. There will always be unexpected interruptions. You must block off the needed time for essential projects. Flexibility is a key to any effort. Expect the unexpected to happen. However, don’t bite on the lie, “I always work better under pressure.” Pastor Jones has been busy with a lot of stuff. Some tasks were important and some not so important. It is 10:00 o’clock Saturday night. Nothing has been done on Sunday’s sermon. It probably won’t be one of his best in spite of the fact he is working under pressure.
Christian leaders are alert to what is going on around them. What is happening in the community that will impact your efforts? What is happening in the church that will impact hoped for outcomes? Watch what is happening in the lives of key players in your work that may affect their ability to function in the project. Harry Smith just lost his job. Mark Hopkins is ill. How will that affect their performance?
Christian leaders are persistent in their efforts. They are like bulldogs that won’t let go of a bone when an effort is essential in the life of the church. One failure won’t deter them from the pursuit of an important endeavor.
Christian leaders finish tasks. How many tasks you begin may not be so important. Rather it will matter is how many you finish that will be remembered. Staying at a task until it is finished is an essential ingredient in life. That is true of large and small tasks. You won’t be remembered for how many things you started, but for how many you finish. I was watching the women’s Olympic marathon. One runner was running in second place. She began to sob when after 22 miles she knew she could go no further. She was disconsolate as she sat on the curb and cried. She had a good start but didn’t finish. We will only be remembered for what we have completed.
Christian leaders are constantly evaluating. How are we doing? What needs to change? What could be better? What needs to be dropped? Constant assessments and regular course corrections are required for maximum achievement. Churches are institutions of tradition. It isn’t always easy to make these changes.
Christian leaders give importance to the right issues. This means majoring in the majors. This means discerning the issues that have the potential to make the most significant impact and putting the chips right there. Don’t spend so much time or effort on the areas that have little chance to make a difference. There are issues that may be important but have the potential to divert us from the main issue. Keep on track.
Pastor Gil Coan was pastor at Living Stones Church. He was working hard. However, as he shared his work agenda with a consultant, his efforts for the housing project kept coming up. The consultant asked, “Gil, on an average work week, how much time do you give to the housing project?” Gil paused as he thought and responded, “About 50%.” The consultant responded, “That is a good and worthwhile project, but that is not what your church is paying you to do. They would have the right to fire you.”
Christian leaders have the capacity to admit when they have made a mistake. This isn’t easy. But we aren’t always right. It is amazing how many chips a pastor can pick up when he or she has the candid capacity to admit a mistake and mean it when they say, “I’m sorry.” However, “I’m sorry” will only work so many times.
Christian leaders don’t make promises they can’t keep. Be very careful what you commit yourself to. Also, be very careful that if you make a public pronouncement, you will keep it. If you don’t, it will bite you.
Christian leaders are very careful to explain when they have done something different from what they have been authorized to do. The explanation should be more than personal preference but a legitimate course correction.
Remember, it is not what you have that counts. It is what you do with what you have that counts.
Pastor Ed Spurrier had tremendous gifts. He seldom pushed himself. He scraped by with as little effort as possible, trusting his gifts to carry him. He spent a lifetime in ministry and made little impact. Pastor Chuck Cotter had limited ability. He was constantly pushing himself to do better. He worked hard. He achieved much more than anyone could have forecast based on his limited gifts. When his ministry ended, many rose up and called him blessed.
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Also see:
 | The Pastor as Leader: Vision-Caster |
| The Pastor as Leader: Survivor |
| The Pastor as Leader: Risk-Taker |
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Read about Jim's seminars and books.
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August 27, 2004. Volume 7, Issue 15. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.