Am I wrong?

[JeffM]

We are a small church of about 110. We are moving into a contemporary service with different music, lighting, etc. Things are going well but I have a concern. The pastor is wanting all these changes but will not get involved in the ideas or concept of what to do next. It's like he is keeping away from making decisions so that if it doesn't work he can take no fault.
There seems to be 3 or 4 of us to come up with music, videos, stage designs, community outreach even future ideas. I want the pastor involved in what we do so we have some cohesiveness. He does one service and has no involvement in the youth or in the supporting of the technical ministry. A few of us are heading towards burnout. He is a great person and we have spoke to him but he just goes and asks someone else to join in and won't be a part of the team. Am I wrong in thinking this should be his responsibility also?

Thanks.

[[Admin] osborn4]

It depends on your church structure but generally, whatever happens during the service is his responsibiltity.

I wouldn't want our senior pastor involved directly in technical decisions. But we have an assistant pastor that generally sits in on those decisions. Not having an assistant pastor, a trustee or someone from the financial team should be on board.

I would think the pastor would want to sign off on high level stage designs, but not involved in the minutia.

If you think your pastor is trying to insulate himself from this so that if it fails, someone else has to take the fall, then you have an entirely different problem.

But it could be that your pastor is already full up with all his other duties and he feels that he's showing you respect by delegating this and trusting your judgement.

[Esoteric]

In as much as someone needs to make sure the tech team is not running wild, yes.

But I have worked with many pastors who trust their tech teams to make things look/sound great, so they often give support, but do not attend meetings or things like that unless what is being discussed directly effects them.

Mike

[Natepelzel]

Honestly, I really wish our pastor was less involved. Don't get me wrong, I love serving him, but he feels he needs to have his hands in everything, and it's really frustrating because most the stuff we deal with is over his head, so he has a hard time understanding our process and often times ends up vetoing the ideas we spend tons of time on because he can't visualize them, he can only visualize what he imagines.

You are the leader of your media ministry, and if you feel that God wants you to try and involve your pastor more, then go for it. I'm just saying that his lack of involvement could be more of a blessing than you realize.

[rjwalker]

It could be a form of passive aggressiveness; it could be the duck you're supposing; it could be that he believes or knows that he doesn't have spiritual gifts in these areas; it could be, as someone noted, a display of trust and honor in his team.

One strategy to consider: memo him on all important decisions: "Unless you say otherwise, for the service on XX/YY/ZZ we will be doing such and so."

Is he giving you input as to the subjects themes of the services beforehand? (I can't imagine that he doesn't, and allows the music etc to be thematically random, but...)

If he is giving that sort of guidance, consider including explanations in the memo: "Because the theme for this service on Mother's Day will be spiritual gifts, unless you say otherwise, we will be including the hymn "I;'m a Woman:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xh0BMb8Ias"

[wogster]

Originally Posted by JeffM

We are a small church of about 110. We are moving into a contemporary service with different music, lighting, etc. Things are going well but I have a concern. The pastor is wanting all these changes but will not get involved in the ideas or concept of what to do next. It's like he is keeping away from making decisions so that if it doesn't work he can take no fault.
There seems to be 3 or 4 of us to come up with music, videos, stage designs, community outreach even future ideas. I want the pastor involved in what we do so we have some cohesiveness. He does one service and has no involvement in the youth or in the supporting of the technical ministry. A few of us are heading towards burnout. He is a great person and we have spoke to him but he just goes and asks someone else to join in and won't be a part of the team. Am I wrong in thinking this should be his responsibility also?

Thanks.

With a congregation of under 90 or so, a solo pastor can pretty much keep an eye on everything. Once you cross that point, then you need a different management style, that of board chair, board, committees, with the pastor offering guidance to the board. It's a difficult time for a lot of small churches, because they are really too large for a single pastor, but too small for a pastoral team. What some churches end up doing is bringing in a seminary student for the summer to take the pressure off the pastor and give the seminary student some much needed experience.

There is a well known saying in small business management, do what you can do well, for everything else delegate. If the pastor is not great at the technical stuff, common with older pastors, then they may prefer to stay away from it and let the tech team do there thing. This works when the technical team is doing their jobs well.

[JeffM]

I've been in a church that was micro managed by the pastor in everything that was going on. I just feel the pastor needs to be involved in decisions involving the evolution of going from traditional to contemporary instead of just stating yes I want to this to happen. Four people can't take care of decorating, praise band, lighting suggestions, flow of service and the youth. Meeting with him and brainstorming what he has envisioned for the church should be mandatory. A vision is nothing without proper leadership. Being that everyone is volunteer and doesn't have the time to put into the flow of worship should lie in the lap of the pastor. He is the main spiritual leader and his input and thoughts should be out front for those in position to take and make it happen.
I want this church to thrive and grow but sometimes only a handful feel the urge to make it happen. A lot of them want it but do nothing to make it happen.

[WORDpictures]

My thought. He's just not into the technical and stage side of things - and people who aren't will feel intimidated and confused by technical discussions which he likely doesn't have time for anyway. I wouldn't interpret this as lack of concern... it sounds like delegation. So enjoy the freedom... go for it!

[rcourtney]

I like the word "delegation". He may appoint leaders that have strong desire to serve God.
Our tech team gets outlines of the service and sermon to prepare supporting material.

A senior paster should not dictate color of the carpet or stage fill lighting or anything that can
divide the flock. He should pray with the team, time schedule permitting, and offer solutions
to deadlocks. (rare in teams that pray)

[Johnnycat]

Just my $0.03 but, Biblicaly, the Pastor role is to Shepard the Flock, that is the point of Paul having Deacons appointed to handle the "daily workings" of the church/body. I am deacon over our Media Ministry, our main teaching pastor is elder over the Media ministry, but it is my "job/responsibility" to make sure stuff runs right to give him the freedom and time to Shepard wisely. I run stuff by him for approval, but design, spending, etc...I do so he doesn't have to.

[[Admin] osborn4]

Leaving the technical stuff to the team effort yes. But shepherding a church from a traditional service to a contemporary one needs a shepherd.

[JeffM]

I'm not talking about him being involved in any technical parts of the service. I'm speaking of a church that is trying to grow and move more into a contemporary service. I feel he needs to be involved in the groups that can make that happen. It should not rest on the shoulders of a few that can make it happen. The lighting, sound, video is all part of a worship service and his guidance and desires need to be brought forward so we can achieve that goal. He doesn't need to determine what color of lighting to use but what mood or feeling he desires for a sermon should be presented. A small church cannot grow without a spiritual leader willing to sit and brainstorm with a group of people than can make it happen.