Church Leadership
Park Farthest Away: 5 Simple Pastoral Habits To Defy Our “Me First” Culture
Leadership is an opportunity to serve. Anyone who doesn’t see it that way is not a leader, just a boss.

Some of the strongest statements are made in the simplest ways.

This is true of leadership. Especially Christian leadership. People will learn more from what we do than what we say.

For instance, if we are going to teach and preach against greed and pride, we need to live a life that demonstrates generosity and humility. Sometimes that’s done in big ways, through benevolence projects and sacrificial giving. But it needs to be lived out in smaller ways as well. The people closest to us are watching to see if our everyday lives are matching up to those big, visible efforts.

Here are five simple practices that serve as a starting point as we think about the example we are setting for the people who see us in everyday church leadership.

1. Park In The Spot Farthest Away From The Church Building

One of my least favorite old-school church customs is the pastor’s parking spot next to the front door. Sometimes it has a clever sign on it, like “If you park here, you’re preaching on Sunday.”

One of my least favorite old-school church customs is the pastor’s parking spot next to the front door.

In a culture that is always promoting selfishness and self-interest, this sets exactly the wrong tone and sends a message that is the opposite of Christlike.

Instead, pastors should set an example of servanthood by parking in the spot farthest from the building. Especially on a Sunday when we’re usually the first in and last out, anyway.

In addition, this gives us the chance to peruse the parking lot and the church building before and after the service. Which leads to…

2. Pick Up Litter

Any time a pastor sees crumpled paper on the ground, we should pick it up.

Even business leaders are figuring out the importance of this. In a recent article in Inc. magazine, 5 Underrated Traits of Great Leaders, author Jeff Haden’s first point was “They quietly pick up trash.”

No, we should not be walking around the building with a garbage bag every day. If we are there’s a problem with the maintenance team or, in a small church, with not training others to serve.

But even with a thorough cleaning crew, things get dropped at the last minute and they need to be picked up. If we see it, we should grab it and toss it.

3. Haul Chairs Occasionally

Or set up tables. Or help clean up in the kitchen after a potluck.

Like the previous point, we shouldn’t be the only person doing it – at least not for long. If we are, we’re being enablers of codependent church members. Training volunteers to do the everyday tasks of the church is a big part of what good leaders do – an example that was set up in Acts 6 with the choosing of the 7 to serve tables.

But a leader who never pitches in, gets their hands dirty, or joins others in hands-on work is not setting an example of servanthood. Especially in a smaller church.

4. Be The Hardest Person To Anger

A quick temper is a sign of a self-centered person, not a great leader.

Good leaders seek to lower the emotional and relational stress in the room, not raise it.

Good leaders seek to lower the emotional and relational stress in the room, not raise it.

The Bible is very clear about this. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20)

No church volunteer or staff member should fear going to their pastor or other church leader when they’ve made a mistake or need help. In fact, the relationship should be such that your leader is the first person you want to go to.

5. Hang Out In The Lobby

There is at least as much ministry to be done in the church lobby, potluck, coffee bar or BBQ as there is during a Sunday morning service.

In fact, when people are able to make a connection with the pastor at such informal times, it makes them more open to hear what we have to say when we’re preaching and teaching.

In a larger church, this may mean standing at the door, shaking hands with people. But even that says you’re open, accessible and caring.

In a smaller church, this is not just important, but essential.

Leading Is Serving

Leadership is an opportunity to serve. Anyone who doesn’t see it that way is not a leader. Even if they have a title, they’re just a boss.

Bosses are about themselves and the position. But leaders are about those who are watching, following and learning from everything we say and do.

We should be such a model of biblical servanthood that others will want to follow our example.

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June 22, 2018 at 9:00 AM

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