Lately On My Mind

SUCCESSION PLANNING.  For the last year or so I have been thinking intently about “Succession Planning.”  That is:  Who takes my place when I’m gone, and who takes the place of other key leaders when they are gone or leave?  What happens if any one of us suddenly becomes sick or incapacitated?  This is very important and needs to be addressed.  Besides, it’s just a good strategic decision to be proactive in identifying future leaders and training them for succession.  To that end, my eyes are wide open all the time for potential people that God may be raising up.  While there are plenty of people who are currently positioned for increased leadership responsibilities and need to be moved up soon to take PCC into its next chapter, I’m thinking more long-term than that.  It's a real possibility that PCC’s future senior pastor and pastoral team are 20-something year olds within our congregation right now.  They need to be identified, cultivated, nurtured, trained, and accepted by our church family to facilitate a future transition.

ORGANIC COMMUNITY.  One of the main strengths of PCC (and an appealing one) has always been our relational emphasis.  As one of the purposes of the church, fellowship has always loomed large in our ministry decisions.  Though we have grown over the years, have big events, and have systems in place to manage the organizational aspects of our church, fellowship (Koinonia) is still needed; now more than ever.  That’s why we are going to be refocusing our efforts on relational connection.  We are going to speak a new language and adopt a new way of thinking about how individuals and groups get connected to a church family and thrive.  This much I know:  We cannot program relationships – we must provide environments where spontaneous community can emerge.  The goal is not to manufacture community, nor to build programs.  The hope is to have nurturing enviroments where and thriving relationships emerge naturally and in healthy ways.

LOYALTY & DISLOYALTY.  Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about this topic too.  It is so important to the success of the local church.  Thankfully I’ve been very blessed to have an abundance of loyal people in my life and ministry.  PCC would not be where it is today without them, nor would I.

Loyalty is the principle qualification of any minister.  Paul advised Timothy to select only those who were faithful, reliable, and trustworthy to be leaders in the church (2 Timothy 2:2).  And personal experience has shown me that it is the faithful and loyal people in the church who are the most qualified to be leaders.  Not the most gifted, talented, knowledgeable, or eloquent, but those who are loyal and faithful.  “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2).