There are many ways to assess potential church planters and prospective pastors. We have some of the best assessment tools in our toolbox in the Minnesota-Wisconsin state convention. Yet there is one question that I think rises to the top, "Do I like to be around this person?"
I believe that someone can know a lot about church planting and church growth but they are never going to be successful in planting a congregation or moving a church forward. Because ministry is really all about people, I have come to the conclusion that liking people and being able to have people like you is a necessary ingredient.
Don't get me wrong, I am not condoning being a people pleaser or helping the hearers to have "itching ears." Rather, I am talking about how Jesus "grew in favor with God and man." My reading of the Bible shows me that people liked being around Jesus.
It seems to me that we forget the obvious sometimes. God wants us to be a pleasing "aroma" to other people. We need to find ways to get into the lives of people and allow them to enjoy our personalities. How do we find ways to have people enjoy being around us?
We start allowing their interests to be ours. Have a sense of humor as the average person loves to laugh. Be ready to research areas that you might not already have so you can connect with other people. If possible, meet them at their workplace and take a tour of their office, factory, etc. Allow yourself to be somewhat vulnerable so they can see inside of you.
Remember, we are looking for the person of peace as we minister the gospel. We ought also to be the person of peace so people want to stay in our home and hang without us.
3 comments:
You have really hit on something. You are totally correct in your belief. I think there are many well trained persons who know all about church planting. They can recite all the latest movements and mindsets, yet they lack one thing. That one thing is "people skills." They just don't connect with people. You can have all the theology right, which is important, but you must also be able to connect with people where they are. Church planting is about winning the lost. So one must try to understand the way lost persons think. The key is to get into their world (without becoming a part of it) and meet them on their ground.
I always say "Be able to laugh at yourself, because that is the one person you know you will never offend with a joke." When you can laugh at yourself, others will join, and feel more open with you. Then they will persist and start making fun of you as well. Then they will invite their friends and family to mock and ridicule you with them. Sooner or later, you have a crowd.
Just don't assume they can take the same punishment in return. As the age old adage says: "He with the thickest skin whines the least." OK, I made that up, but I'm sticking with it anyways.
I believe the great theologian Stuart Smalley once said "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and gosh darn it... People like me!" If people like you, they will want to be around you. Sooner or later they might just ask more about who you are. That is when you get the privilege to tell them about Jesus, and how He brings joy into your life.
good stuff
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