Leading a Church in the Twenty-first Century: An International Perspective

Pastoral care is imperative to develop a community. If the average size of a church in North America is 75 then the average pastor can be available to meet the needs of the people. People will always remember the pastor and the church during times of grief, sorrow and sickness, so don’t miss a good opportunity. In cities people are disconnected and need someone to provide support and assurance in the good times and the difficult times. The apostles remind us to: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 NIV).

Seek to meet the needs of the audience in preaching like Jesus did. He spoke about the needs of the people. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a good example. We can become so involved in expository preaching (which I enjoy) that our sermons sometimes can have little relevance to the needs that confront our audience. Jay Adams said, “We can preach effective expository sermons if we choose the correct text and apply it.”¹⁴ I don’t totally agree with preaching expository sermons all the time, however if a community is going through a difficult time financially, we have to address the need and assure the congregation of the presence of God during difficult times; that can be best done by treating this subject topically. The congregation can also to be taught how to live within their means and not to be in bondage to credit cards.

As the leader of the church, the pastor needs to create a family atmosphere in the church. In the age of individualism, people are yearning for community yet some have not experienced it and don’t know what it is. Living in a community of believers is a better choice than living in a materialistic, self-centered and uncaring world. Pastors are also the shepherd of the flock, the father of a family and if you work from that premise you will know what to do. Peter reminds us to “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly” (1 Peter 5:2). And Paul said something similar when he said: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 NIV). One of the ways churches are creating community is through small groups, Adult Sunday School classes, couples groups, seniors groups, Choirs, boys and girls clubs, etc.

 

 PR

Endnotes

¹ This book is translated into Spanish, Chinese and Indonesian. Read a review of the book at: http://pneumareview.com/aldwin-ragoonath-preach-the-word

² David Mains, 100 Huntley Street TV Program, Ontario also see Reese Currie, http://www.compassdistributors.ca/topics/apathy.htm [Not available as of April 26, 2014].

³ This is my personal observation. This lack of openness can be said of most Christian denominations.

⁴ Bob De Deeway, “Faulty Premises of the Church Growth Movement: Rick Warren, Robert Schuller, Donald McGavran, and C. Peter Wagner Mislead the Church.” Published by Twin City Fellowship, Critical Issues Commentary, P.O. Box 26127, St. Louis Park, MN 55426, available from http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue89.htm#top; Internet; accessed 20 December 2010.

Tags: century, church, featured, international, leading, perspective, twentyfirst

Category: Ministry, Summer 2011