Leadership Journal

Along with many pastors in 1994, I watched with great curiosity as pastor and author Chuck Swindoll left First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, California, after 22 years to become a seminary president. Pastor Chuck's books and broadcasts had provided "insight for living" for my life and "input for preaching" for my sermons. He was then, and remains today, one of my personal heroes and role models for effective, relevant teaching.

Six months later, over lunch with fellow pastors, the discussion turned to the search for his replacement. One pastor spoke for the group: "What idiot would follow Chuck Swindoll?" I shook my head in silent agreement: "Not me." I wasn't looking to make a move, especially to the role of sacrificial lamb!

Fast forward one year to Sunday morning, December 10, 1995. I sat anxiously holding the hand of my wife, Becky, on the front pew of the 5,000-member Fullerton church. I listened as Chuck Swindoll and my mentor, Dr. Howard Hendricks, challenged the church and me at my installation service. For a moment my mind flashed back to that lunch: "Now I know who the idiot is!" But God had clearly led, and when God leads, it is always best to follow. I had frequently taught my churches that you are safer out on a limb with God than you are seated comfortably under the tree without him.

Welcome to the outer limb.

This December I will celebrate my tenth anniversary as the senior pastor in Fullerton. To the surprise of many, I have survived. The church has grown, and we are joyfully tackling the challenges of being a church in the 21st century. Why has it gone so well? A main reason is that First Free Church was and continues to be today a healthy church.

We may not be the model for the emerging church, but we are healthy at the core. We have fresh, mission-driven vision that builds on our historic strengths while encouraging new Kingdom initiatives. We are tackling some of the facility obstacles that have limited our growth. We're blessed with a great staff that is a healthy blend of the old and the new.

One third arrived during the Swindoll era, and they anchor us to the church's core values, providing stability and credibility in the midst of change. Two thirds have come since my arrival, and they've provided a fresh perspective and an unbiased look at our strengths and weaknesses. All have a spirit that is forward-thinking, creative, and unified.

Our membership has grown, and we are once again planting churches. Our giving has never been better. We are focusing outward and making new inroads into the community.

The overall health of the church was my greatest joy as I began to lead. Yet I soon discovered that our health—the fact that we did so many things well—was also one of my greatest challenges. You see, healthy churches need change, too, but healthy churches often fail to feel the need for change.

After all, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" is conventional wisdom. ...