By: Rev. Steve Zimmerman
While serving as an Associate Pastor years ago, it somehow became my lot in life in various churches to become the “Minister of Pictorial Directory” along with my other official church responsibilities. While the goal of the churches was knowing who everyone was, my personal challenge was to get this “masterpiece” of pictures to the publisher and back to the church before it became obsolete!
More often than I care to think about, it seemed that Mrs. Smith, who was pregnant when she took her picture, was now holding the newborn weeks after the book arrived back at the church. Mr. Jones, a nursing home resident at the time, submitted his photo for formatting in the homebound page. But now he was already bound for glory. I learned that church life is not stagnant, but constantly changing!
The church that I am presently serving as Interim Pastor is going through a change of ministerial leadership. A new day is coming. Another chapter in the church’s history will be written. However, their vision plans from four years ago under the former pastor are not in sync with the reality of the church now. The church is in a different place than it was during the days after the pandemic. Their strategy needs to be adjusted once again.
When was the last time your church took time to update your mission focus? Is your church leadership still working out of antiquated models and fruitless methods? Does everyone know which direction they need to go to reach your Promised Land?
Updating your mission focus is not a Lone Ranger endeavor. You need others with fresh eyes to help you discern the path forward. At the Barnabas Partnership we have gifted ministers to work beside you in renewing your church’s ministry mindset. Whether you seek to partner with us or not, get help exploring your current mission before you find your church is working from a map that no longer resembles reality. Like your last directory picture?
These thoughts above are from Rev. Steve Zimmerman, the founding partner in the ministry. He works alongside churches in their mission process and small group dynamics. He coordinates the work of the partnership out of Martinsville, Virginia. Contact him for more information about how he can help you.