What to do ?

It has been our experience that the first year is best spent getting to know the people. They dont automatically trust the new pastor - they are just getting over hurt most likely. Our first pastorate was such a learning experience, and this second one has gone much better because we sat back and waited, trying to learn the people and their culture. (I say "we" - hubby is the pastor, but we are a team.) We have been here three and 1/2 years, and just now are many people starting to treat us "insiders". Thats how many country church settings are.
Are you in a new position? I remember seeing you post something about the possibility of a new place of service.
I wish you the best!
TaterTot

 

It is always love the people. My first church was the greatest experience. The second we refer to as the church from hell. To this day the church is literally falling apart. I warned them of a number of things and they are coming true. They simply didn't want to hear me nor did they work.

My first church worked hard and wanted the church to succeed. I know they prayed for me and were as generous as they could be.

Get to know the people and give them every opportunity to trust you. Be a man of great integrity. Accept them where they are. Spend a lot of time listening first.

 

I will echo gb

Love the people, whenever there is a function be there (ss fellowship, athletic event, couples retreat etc.) Go to different sunday school classes, including youth and children. If your youth go to camp, go with them. If your children go to pre teen camp, go with them. If you can take your senior adults on a trip do it.

Listen to the people, find out where they are spiritually and emotionally. Work with your staff, deacons and committees to set goals and develop a timeline to measure those goals.

Preach the word, and have a loving spirit.

Praise your volunteer workers at every opportunity, occasional pats on the back will make them feel appreciated.

Dont talk negatively about anyone, including those hard to get along with deacons!

LOVE YOUR CHURCH

 

Having just about finished my first year as pastor at my current Church I can actually give a good answer to this lol.

As stated before, first and foremost, Get to know your people. Also, get to know the Church's attitude towards various ministries, get to know their problems and desires of each individual. Find out what the people of the Church want to see the Church get involved in. Just remember if this is your first Church as pastor period. People do not care about what you know until they know just how much you truly care. They will not follow you into the unknown that is walking on FAITH in the Spirit until they know you truly love them and want their best interest. They want to know you are genuine with them. Pray that God work on your heart to change you (yes change you, those who do not change do not grow), to better suit your congregation

 

The suggestions given are all great. One additonal thought would be the reaching and discipling of some new believers. An American captain in the Vosges Mountains in WWII pulled into his command center with a dead German soldier across the hood of his jeep. While that was a shocking sight, the men of his company got the message of what they were there to do.

We are in the business of reaching lost souls. There is nothing more invigoring that having a new baby in the house. Reaching some folks and getting them into the church family is a great lesson for the rest of the congregation. Discipling those new believers will keep you busy during that first year while you are getting to know the rest of them.

 

I'm posting from the layman's view here. Our Pastor's last service willl be sunday Morning sept 14, He is leaving to be a Missionary to Ecuador. We all really don't want him to leave, but we know he must follow God's leading.
Hopefully our new Pastor (Whoever God has for us)will be aware of that and not come in like a bull in a china shop.
I like Tatertot's idea of just getting to know the people, some one else said love the people. both good ideas. I pray we will have that.


gayla

 

I wish my pastor was a member of BB.

 

Follinghim,

Suggest it to him. He just may thank you for it.

In CHrist,
Trotter

 

I have to agree with Trotter, as a man who is just starting in ministry, I have found this board to be very educational. very educational indeed...

 

The advice in this thread is right on target. As Dr. Bob pointed out, in addition to getting to know the people, preach the Word.
A pastor should not enter a new pastorate with assumptions that particular ministries should be carried out. He should spend that first year doing three things:
1. Getting to know the people and gaining credibility.
2. Getting to know the church's culture, that is, its history, its values and its political structures.
3. Preaching solidly. Build the church from the get-go with expository sermons. Include generous references to the fundamental purposes for a church. The people need to get the idea that the church is about three things: worship, edification and evangelism.

 

Vision, pray for a vision and for the direction to lead the church in.

Where there is no vision the people perish! Pray for that vision the whole first year!