Discover the importance of growth and change in church leadership, as Andrew Heard's upcoming book is hailed as a game-changer. Learn how to navigate the challenges of implementing change and why older leaders may struggle to embrace growth. Uncover the emotional and relational energy needed to lead change effectively in ministry.
Passion for church growth can lead to compromising integrity by prioritizing numbers over authenticity.
Leaders should shift to outcome-oriented strategies, focusing on impact and transformation to achieve lasting change in ministry.
Deep dives
Passion for Growth and the Danger of Compromise
Andrew Heard discusses the danger associated with having a strong passion for church growth, emphasizing the risk of compromising integrity by seeking numbers over authenticity. He highlights how the pursuit of growth can lead to avoidance of challenging topics like sin and rebellion, ultimately impacting the church's mission and message to cater to the desires of the audience.
Intentional Engagement with Complex Issues
He stresses the importance of intentional engagement with difficult topics within the church community, advocating for a proactive approach in addressing controversial issues such as critical race theory, abortion, and creationism. Heard encourages leaders to navigate through uncomfortable subjects by creating platforms like 'hot topics' events to foster open discussions and deeper understanding.
Transitioning from Input to Outcome Leadership
He emphasizes a shift from input-focused leadership to outcome-oriented strategies in ministry. Heard suggests that leaders need to move beyond merely delivering content to focusing on the impact and transformation that content should generate. By aligning actions with desired outcomes such as disciple-making and community engagement, leaders can effectively measure the success of their efforts and adapt to achieve lasting change.
‘Many of the ways we are running our churches and ministries and many of the ways we are exercising leadership within our churches, has become a significant hindrance to the growth of the church.’
Andrew Heard’s about to be released book Growth and Change will be the ‘must read’ book for pastors for 2024.
In his opening preface Gospel Coalition founder DA Carson - says ‘I am usually loath to proclaim that such and such a book is the best in it’s field … but if there is one book that happily serves as the exception to the rule, Heard’s book is it.
Change is painful. Why don’t we want to change?
We cannot be content to just be faithful, if we mean faithfulness has no regard for the growth of God’s church.
The younger leader is more likely to succumb to the dangers relating to a passion for growth. However for older leaders, ‘As we age, it is possible to get stuck… We have battled for so long under the weight of small things, that our vision has shrunk to become no larger than the day to day needs of the church.’
How do we get unstuck? ‘Leading change requires significant emotional, relational and creative energy. But most church leaders have very little in the tank…'
Reach Australia National Conference Reach Australia’s National Conference is from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns. For more info.
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