Building Depth on Your Team

Pastoral transitions can be challenging for churches to navigate.  Many churches struggle because they are unaware of best practices concerning transitions.  We are currently developing a resource for churches to provide guidance on this important topic. 

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to prepare your church for healthy future transitions is to build depth in ministry.  As I write this, we are in the midst of NFL pre-season games.  The starters do not play consistently in preseason, as one of the primary purposes is to gauge the strength of the bench and those players who are new.  As the season gets long, players get tired, and injuries occur, it is the strength of the depth of the team that gives an advantage.  When a player is injured or leaves, the team has a “next man up” mentality, and another player is ready to go.

Rather than allowing the church to become overly dependent upon you, it is important to develop the team, and ask your team to develop other people.  Worship leaders should be replicating themselves and ushers should be training up ushers.  Pastors should be pouring into those they identify as future leaders and board members in the church.  As I heard a football player say recently, “Each one, teach one.”

Jesus practiced this in His ministry.  He poured his life into the twelve, and then sent them out.  He also sent out the seventy two for ministry.  When Jesus ascended into Heaven, the ministry did not fall apart, as He had built depth into the team.  The Holy Spirit then empowered  those believers, and the church grew exponentially.

It is vital to build this practice into your culture, whether you are a large or small church.  Not only is it the job description of those involved in equipping ministry (Eph. 4:11-13), but it sets up the church for future growth.  Times of transition do not build depth, they reveal it.