When to Change Things

Stan May offers this advice for pastors:

Pastors who rush into churches, introduce significant change, and then flee are merely hirelings.

Wise pastors begin to pray for their people by name, love them to change S-L-O-W-L-Y, and communicate effectively through church meetings (not necessarily business meetings) where people can hear the plan, talk freely, and discuss the pros and cons without fear of labels from the pastor.

Wise pastors also take under their wing existing leaders who have vested leadership, seek to communicate vision to them, and pray that these significant people will embrace the change and spend their influence capital helping the body see the need and accept the wisdom of change.

Pastors who don't love their people and preach Bible-centered messages to help them grow in grace won't impact their people for eternity and won't be able to introduce lasting, productive change.

Dr. Stan May has pastored churches in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee, as well as serving as an international missionary in Zimbabwe for 6 years. He currently serves as Chairman and Professor of Missions at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tn.