Gary and Kim Shockley

I had the privilege of facilitating one of the ministry tracks at our recent School of Congregational Development in Evanston, Ill.  The Advance Strategy Questions track welcomed thirty annual conference leaders across the connection including bishops, superintendents and development directors. For six hours we presented and debated critical issues facing those responsible for new church development.

One of the nearly dozen topics we tackled over two days was identifying the qualities and characteristics of effective second pastors of new church starts. We agreed we have not focused enough on this.

From our “think-tank” we came up with this list. My hope in sharing this with you is that you will add your thoughts/experiences to this mix. Here’s what we came up with—in no particular order. The second pastor of a church has

• A Maximizer Strength- Gallup would define it this way, “people strong in the maximizer theme focus on strengths as a way to stimulate personal and group excellence. They seek to transform something strong into something superb.”  (Rath and Conchile, Strengths Based Leadership Gallup Press, 2008. p. 203)
• Systems Thinking- is able to build systems that will keep the church on the growing edge of ministry and moving toward multiplication.
• Self-awareness- knows their own unique gifts and strengths for ministry and is not intimidated by the success and popularity of the founding pastor.
• Stick-to-itiveness- Understands the dynamics of change a congregation experiences transitioning away from the founding pastor and hangs in there when the waters becomes choppy (as they will!)
• Better than average administrative skills- helps the church move toward better organization and administrative practices.
• Entrepreneurial traits- is able to help the church think creatively about new venues for ministry. Keeps the congregation from becoming “settlers”.
• Affinity with the Congregation and Mission Field- is a good fit.
• An understanding of the dynamics of new church development- needs to have a thorough understanding of the process or church planting and the uniqueness of this type of ministry.
• Experience in “turn-around” churches- As someone has said, “It is far more difficult to raise the dead than it is to give birth.” The skills gained from helping to resurrect a dead or dying church can prove invaluable to the ongoing development of a newer community of faith.
• Proven fruitfulness in growing ministry- you don’t want a “maintainer” as a second pastor.
• Good Pastoral Care skills- knowing enough about the importance of this to develop systems for pastoral care AND for being someone who has good caring skills.

There you have it! I look forward to your responses. Let’s keep the conversation going…

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