-
Discussion Board Initial Post – Michael Ryan Norton
Ministry leadership is a unique challenge. It pairs all of the complexities of organizational leadership with the responsibility of upholding biblical values as a servant-leader. Ministry leaders must navigate changing contexts, and regular criticisms, and carry the pressure of being the example of Christlikeness for an entire organization. When I accepted a role of leadership within my current ministry context, the ministry itself was in a difficult state. Attendance was dwindling, services were infrequent, and people didn’t feel connected with the pastor or the community they were a part of. The ministry had become so focused on providing a program, that it became satisfied with checking boxes and lost interest in shepherding people. Over time, the ministry was satisfied to simply exist, and nobody cared whether or not it was actually accomplishing anything for the Kingdom. In order for the ministry to succeed, I needed to course-correct the primary facet of the ministry: the leadership.
When I started, there was no volunteer leadership and attendees did not have a sense of vision or direction in the ministry. I also found that by the time of his departure, newer attendees did not feel that they knew the pastor well. God was calling him into a new opportunity for ministry, and his time was divided in many different ways. As a result, he rarely had time to serve this ministry, and it suffered because of it. Attendees didn’t have a sense of mission or vision, so they never felt inspired to participate as volunteers. If they did volunteer, there wouldn’t be much to do. The ministry was somewhat aimless; it met simply because nobody wanted to cancel it. So when I started, I petitioned the Lord through prayer for direction. The ministry existed for discipleship, but how did Christ want that to happen? Jesus pulled us in a very clear mission of relationship with Him. So for the next year, we are putting a heightened focus on worship, prayer, and understanding how Scripture points to Jesus as the Messiah and High Priest.
Since starting, our attendance as increased by 773%, and reception to the shift in direction has been overwhelmingly positive. I can take credit for nothing because all we did was set our sights on submitting to the leadership of Jesus. I never refer to myself as the head of the ministry, because I am not. God has entrusted me to entrust it to Him, and I am very excited for the future He holds for us.