Case Study Re-evaluating Staff Roles Dave Wilkinson What determines the pastor's priorities? See "Working in Team Ministry" Training Pack

Store Code: CS02-B Format(s): Microsoft Word Type: Case Study Price: $0.00

Topics:	Accountability, Church discipline, Church staff, Conflict, Decision making, Fellowship, Leadership, Volunteers
Filters:	Church staff, Discipleship, Elder, Management, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	Acts 6:1-4, Romans 12:3-8
Date Added:	July 31, 2007
share this page

The Case
A pastor spoke to the church board of elders: "I'd like to take my study leave to attend a national seminar on preaching. It will give me some needed exposure to voices, viewpoints, and styles I don't usually hear."

"I think your preaching is just fine," replied an elder. "Where you need help is in counseling. I believe you should find a training program on counseling to attend."

"I see the importance of counseling," the pastor responded, "but it's not my strong suit. As this church continues to grow, quality preaching will become more and more important. I'll have less and less time for counseling. There's not much point for me to be better trained in something I'm going to be doing less and less."

What Would You Do?
• What's at stake in this discussion?
• What is the perspective of the board member?
• What is the perspective of the pastor?

What Happened
The board voted to allow the pastor to attend the seminar on preaching. The board also looked at the budget and realized the congregation could add a part-time associate pastor who would focus on counseling and small groups. Six months later the congregation called a second pastor. A potentially divisive issue served as a catalyst to move the church to visionary thinking.

Discuss
1. How does a pastor's role change as a church grows? How does Acts 6 speak to this?

2. Who decides the ministry priorities for the pastor?

3. Can our congregation experience numerical growth with our current staff size?

4. What is our philosophy of staffing? Do we staff for growth or do we staff once the church has grown to support a new staff member?

Average Rating: Not yet rated

---

Submit Your Rating and Review:

Choose star rating: Low 1 2 3 4 5 High Be sure to click SUBMIT when finished
Name:
Comments:	1000 character limit

The Pastoral Search Process
This download describes the search committee and its work and provides church members, boards, and search committees with resources that clarify the church’s expectations of the new pastor.

Fun & Games for Older Adults
Age-appropriate games and quizzes to use with older adults.

See More Downloads

---

Shape-Shifting Leadership
Three kinds of leadership for three different situations.

Church Health
Lead your team in a discussion on the health of your church.

See More Articles

Login

Join now | Forgot password?

	Building Church Leaders (weekly)
	Small Groups (weekly)
	Leadership Weekly

 RSS Feed | Help

• Leith Anderson
• Gordon MacDonald
• Reggie McNeal
• Ruth Haley Barton
• Sue Mallory

Sponsored by Tyndale

• Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Review: The Blue Parakeet, Part 1
• Attachment Disorder Churches

• Bond or Bust
• Five Signposts of a Healthy Church
• Radical Gratitude