week 1

Rachel Innes 

Forum 1 - Youth Pastor

COLLAPSE

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Given this situation, I would have a long road ahead of me to change the hearts and minds of the congregation. The senior pastor is only looking to retire so he or she will likely be little help to me in continuing the ministry in the church. Although some pastors stand out in our minds as "superstars" who give every appearance of having been blessed with more than their share of gifts, Paul assures us that there are "not many" like that.[1] Not to brag, but I feel like I am one of those people that can be a "superstar." I have a great balance of being a person who loves people and using technology or items to get work done. My first order of business would be to have a meeting with the whole congregation to let them know what my vision for the church would be. I would want to show them that there is a need for more than just elderly people in the church or the church will die once they are all gone. This will be hard to hear, but this would be my plea that they would be willing to walk with me and invite a younger generation into the church that is willing to carry on in the work of the Lord. Having a multi-generational church is so important, as a church should have multiple generations to disciple and teach each other. To have too many in one generation makes a church one sided and after that generation is gone, what is left? Next, I would go into community to find youth that can attend the church. I would go to the places where youths congregate and hang signs that will attract them to special events. Once they are in the church, I will continue to work with them to have them attend more regularly. I will also encourage them to invite their families to church so that there can be excellent fellowship. Balance in my own life would be important but given I do not have a day job; I have a lot of hours to devote to ministry and make this calling my job. I would still make sure that my family is neglected, but I feel like I can involve my family in the ministry so that there is time spent with them and with the church.

[1] David Horner, A Practical Guide for Life and Ministry: Overcoming 7 Challenges Pastors Face (Grand Rapids, MI: BakerBooks, 2008), 27.

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