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Leadership is a popular topic in books, seminars, workshops, etc. and has been covered extensively in both the "for profit" and "not for profit" world.  In fact, the Bible is perhaps the best textbook on leadership, and Jesus the best model.

By the time most pastors/lay leaders reach the point of considering a new church, their leadership abilities should have long since been firmly established.  Accordingly, it it not the purpose of this section to cover "how to lead" or to help you define a new and better leadership style to replace your current one.  Instead, its purpose is to help you understand the Leadership challenges you will face in a new church plant. 

However, it is important to understand that starting a new church demands a variety of styles of Leadership.  For example, the Leader as Planner vs the Leader as Encourager, as Authority Figure, as Networker, as Visionary, as Comforter, as Servant, as Project Manager, etc.  As leaders we must be multi-dimensional.

Over time, and depending on the circumstances of the church, the demands on Leadership will not only change, but will literally require different styles at the same time.  It is extremely important, then, to consider Leadership in the context of a Team, not solely the domain of the Pastor.  It is equally important for every Leader, including both the Pastor and the Launch Team, to be prepared to "flex" into alternative styles of leadership depending on the demands of the circumstances.

If these challenges make you feel uncomfortable, don't worry, that's probably a good thing.  After all, you need to have a realistic view of what you are facing. 

However, your discomfort may also lead you to seek additional counsel and education that will better prepare you for this unique environment.  And if such counsel leads you to consider deferring your involvement in Leadership until you are more sure of your ability to lead, that is also probably a good thing.  Leadership in a new church is not for the unprepared or the faint-of-heart.

This section covers Leadership in a new church environment.  Why is Leadership important in a new church?  While the answer seems pretty obvious, the difficulty lies in recognizing the unique challenges of Leadership in a new church.  Applying well-worn (and perhaps even successful) patterns of leaderhip learned in past situations may bring unintended consequences in a new church start.  We must look at Leadership in a new church as something a bit different from anything we've ever done. 

What is so unique about Leadership in a new church?  Here are a few examples:

• The Leadership team may be made up of individuals who've never worked together.
• The team will be subject to unusual levels of turnover.
• Passions will run high.  Everyone will want a voice.
• By definition, there will be more to do than available time and capacity permit.
• The majority of the work will be done by people who've never done it before.
• Pre-conceptions (and mis-conceptions) about "church" can take your plans far away from God's plan for your new church.

The most unique aspect of Leadership in a new church is that it is so different from a secular "project."  God is in charge and we must be attentive to His direction.  We may not always hear Him and we may not always obey Him.  But we must always be attentive to His Leadership. 

"'Woe to the rebellious children,' says the Lord, 'who carry out a plan, but not mine;'"  Isaiah 30:1

What this section will focus on are the leadership issues that are especially critical to a new church.  Those issues include the following:

• What leadership structures are required by PCUSA and how do they really work?
• Who should be considered for leadership?  How do we select leaders and prepare them for a new church start?
• How do we set expectations when we have little sense of everyone's capabilities?
• How do we quickly identify and deal with issues and problems?
• How do we maintain focus in such a dynamic environment?

The scope of this material is for a new church, beginning before the Pastor is called and moving through its first two years.  It assumes the church is a new plant with individuals who have been called out of the local community (instead of a group carved out of an existing church).  It assumes a small paid staff and that the bulk of the effort will be the responsibility of lay leaders who have committed themselves to the new church.

The Leadership: How To Start section focuses on the period of time beginning at the point where the Sponsoring Church has decided to plant a new church, and ending with the arrival of the Pastor.  Accordingly, it addresses the activities of the Sponsoring Church and in particular, the Barnabas Ministry.

The Leadership: First And Second Years section focuses on the activities beginning with the arrival of the Pastor through the end of the second year.  Accordingly, it addresses the activities of the Pastor and Launch Team, with help from the Sponsoring Church and the Barnabas Ministry.

And who is a Leader?  This material considers anyone to be a leader who is a member of a new church staff or who is a member of a new church Launch Team.

Return to Leadership

Go on to Leadership: How To Start