Information vs. Communication – A Saturday Quote

“The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but the signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.”
– Sydney J. Harris, Journalist

Be Clear About Who You (Don’t) Want to Hire

Since releasing The Staffing Workshop this summer, I’ve been blown away by the great feedback from pastors and churches all over the country who are already reaping the benefits of re-vamping their staffing processes.

One vitally important item that I talk about in the workshop is to be abundantly clear about who you want to hire for a position AND who you don’t want to hire.

This means that not only do you have to know who you’re looking for, but the ads and job listings you write must spell out your expectations so clearly that the wrong candidates won’t even bother applying.

As Jason Hatley (Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights) was looking to recruit some new band members recently, he put this principle into practice with this statement:

This is not a “thrown together, disorganized, cheap gear, let’s wing it and see what happens” kind of gig. Attention to detail, personal preparation and a commitment to excellence are a must. Great venue, great gear, great Church!

My hope today is that this little snippet will help you visualize the concept of being clear who you want (and don’t want).

Think about it – if you’re not a serious musician who’s willing to put in the hard work to be a part of this team… you won’t apply!

And isn’t that the point of recruiting – to find the right person?

So here’s the principle (straight from The Staffing Workshop):

Write your position descriptions or paid ads so you attract who you want and repel who you don’t want

Who are you looking for?  Now, how do you plan to find them?

P.S. For the most comprehensive resource on church staffing – covering Recruiting, Hiring, Managing, and “De-hiring” – check out The Staffing Workshop.

Three Speeches – A Saturday Quote

“There are always three speeches, for every one you actually gave. The one you practiced, the one you gave, and the one you wish you gave.”
— Dale Carnegie

Why Be a Renegade Pastor?

Many of you have noticed the name of this blog (Renegade Pastor) and emailed me asking what that means.

So I wanted to take a moment today to not only explain what it means to be a renegade pastor, but to encourage you to become a Renegade Pastor as well…

Why be a Renegade Pastor?

A renegade pastor is a pastor that does the opposite of what every one else is doing.

Not for the sake of being contrarian but for the sake of being effective for the gospel.

After all, do you want to lead an “average” church?

The “average” church in America declines by 9% a year. The “average” church in America is behind on budget and reaching less people than ever before.

Furthermore, do you really want to be an “average” pastor?

The ‘average’ pastor goes through the same boring routines week after week. The average pastor feels ‘stuck.’ The ‘average’ pastor doesn’t feel like they are living up to or living out their calling.

“Average” is not God’s plan!

So, to break out of the “average pastor” mindset, my encouragement to you is…

Be a Renegade Pastor!

• Choose to lead your church to take risks for the sake of the gospel.
• Choose to try new things to reach new people for the glory of God.
• Choose to follow closely the greatest renegade ever . . . Jesus Christ!

Your fellow Renegade Pastor,

Nelson Searcy

P.S. For an intentional process to help you live and lead as a “Renegade Pastor,” now is the time for you to apply for my new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network. It begins THIS THURSDAY and I need your application today for consideration.

Here’s the link to Apply Online Now (or Download Your Application):

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Not Now – A Saturday Quote

“How soon ‘not now’ becomes ‘never’”
– Martin Luther

Stalling Leads to Sickness – A Saturday Quote

The pain that’s created by avoiding hard work is actually much worse than any pain created from the actual work itself.

Because if you don’t begin to work on those ideas that God has blessed you with, they will become stagnant inside of you and eventually begin to eat away at you. You might seem OK on the outside, but inside you will be ill from not getting those ideas out of your heart and into the world.

Stalling leads to sickness. But taking steps, even baby steps, always leads to success.

– Russell Simmons

Start Today – A Saturday Quote

“A year from now you may wish you had started today.”
– Karen Lamb

How to Respond to Criticism – Seven Great Questions

Some of the most frequently asked questions I get from Pastors deal with handling criticism.

It comes up in coaching networks, at live events and in simple conversations – so I’m always looking for how other people deal with critical words.

Recently I read this article from my friend and Coaching Alum Hal Seed, where he suggests seven questions to ask of yourself before responding to criticism:

Respond to Criticism with Seven Great Questions
by Hal Seed

A while back, I suggested that preachers request their congregants give them 48 hours to recuperate before giving criticism.

Once you receive criticism, how should you respond to it?

Let me suggestion seven questions you ought to ask before doing (or saying) anything:

1. What part of this is true? (And what should I do about it?)

2. Hurt people hurt people, so how is my critic hurting, and how can I help him/her?

3. How important is this issue to the health of the church?

4. How easy would it be to make the changes being suggested?

5. What would improve if I implemented this suggestion?

6. What might be hurt if I implemented this suggestion?

7. What does my wife think about this criticism? Does she see some truth in it that I am missing?

When it comes to criticism, you want to weigh what is said and by whom, rather than counting the number of people saying it.

Critics often build their case by saying, “A lot of people are thinking this way.”They want to present as forceful an argument as possible, when in reality, it may be that just they and their best friend had one conversation about it.

You can ask for specific names if you want, and then count how many people actually feel this way, or, a better way is to weigh the wisdom and influence behind the criticism.

For instance, if key a Board member, staff member or Elder is offering this criticism, their one voice might count for a lot more than ten or twenty uninformed or uninvolved fringe attendees.

Weigh the criticism as you ask your seven questions.

Pray.

Resist obsessing.

And use what is said to build your character and the church.

Oh, and if what was offered was done in a kind manner, with good intentions, be sure to thank your critic and ask God to bring you more of this kind of feedback.

What methods have you found helpful in handling criticism?

Great questions Hal!

In addition to asking what your wife thinks, I might add that there’s great value in placing yourself in a setting with other kingdom-minded, forward-focused Pastors – for encouragement, accountability and a positive atmosphere.

The only thing worse than having to deal with criticism (and we all do) is trying to face it all alone – and no one truly understands a Pastor like another Pastor.

That’s one of the advantages of being a part of my Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network - having a group of people who are facing (or have faced) the same challenges that you are, all focused on church growth in a positive atmosphere.

My next Tele-Coaching Network begins August 19 (yes, less than a month away) and it’s filling up fast – but if you’re ready to take your leadership and your church to the next level, there’s still time to get in your application.

For more information and to apply now, visit:

www.ChurchLeaderInsights.com/telecoaching

Setting Your Aim – A Saturday Quote

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.”
– Michelangelo, Artist

P.S. For help in “setting your aim,” check out Setting and Achieving Godly Goals (available for Immediate Download or as a Boxed CD Set).

How to Achieve Great Things for God (Starting Today)

It never ceases to amaze me how many church leaders just don’t know where to start…

I used to be surprised by it, but not anymore.  It’s not that they don’t desire to accomplish great things for God.  It’s not even that they’re lazy.

They just aren’t clear about what they should be doing on any given day. And as a result, hours each day are spent thinking about what they should do.  Meanwhile, whatever is urgent gets taken care of while that which is truly important gets neglected.

I’ve heard this affliction called “the paralysis of analysis.”

Assuming that the leader in question is spending time with God, a few starter questions for someone in this situation would be:

• What is God calling you to do? What are your goals?  Where are you heading?
• What should your church look like six months/a year/five years from now?
• What area of your life/leadership are you looking to change or improve?

A clear picture of where you’re heading will begin to bring clarity to the steps you need to take today.

And once you begin to see that desired outcome – that future picture of what could and should be – you can begin to employ this simple mantra:

MOVE THE BALL FORWARD TODAY

On very rare occasions, we get the chance to experience “one of those days” when things drastically change immediately, but most often, progress is made by moving the ball forward a little each day.

Here are a couple of examples – Imagine…

- You’re a Church Planter who wants to launch large and reach hundreds of people right from the start. That’s an admirable, God-honoring goal, but what does that mean you should do today?

• Do something to secure your meeting location today
• Make 5 contacts with unchurched people today
• Call 5 potential partners today
• Download and listen to Over $115.00 in Free Church Planting Resources today

- You’re a Senior Pastor who recognizes that your church is unorganized and wants to make it as efficient as possible. Again, that’s a great thought, but what are you going to do today to get one step closer?

• Download and read my Free Healthy Systems, Healthy Church E-Book today
• Schedule and plan a meeting with your key leaders to chart a course to making your church healthier today
• Find a nearby Training Event and register today
• Read about and apply for a systems-based Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network today

This applies to all areas of life – spiritual, mental, physical – determine where you’re going and make sure you take steps in that direction every day.

In other words… Move the ball forward today.

P.S. One of the greatest tools to help you move the ball forward each day is accountability.  And a surefire method to remain accountable is to be a part of a like-minded coaching network.  My new Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network begins August 19 and is filling up fast – click here for more info and to apply now.