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30, 60, 90 AND BEYOND!

What is the best way for a new pastor to get started in a congregation?  That’s a question I’ve been asking myself quite a bit since I moved to the Newtown United Methodist Church!

There are many ways to answer that question.  One is answer is that the best way to get started is to make some big decisions shortly after arriving so the people in your congregation realize that the new pastor is a decisive leader.  Another answer is that the best way to get started is to quickly begin a new program (which is guaranteed to be a success) so people realize that the new pastor is effective at making things happen.  Another answer is to rapidly make changes where needed while the “Honeymoon Effect” is still in full swing so as to get the maximum strategic leverage from the start up period.

My answer is to that question is a little different from those above.  Even though my hope and prayer is that you will realize that I am an effective leader, that I can make things happen (by God’s grace) and that I’m not afraid to lead change initiatives when necessary, I have not chosen large scale decision-making, program development or change management as a main area of focus during my start up at NUMC.

Instead, I am focusing on two other areas: context and credibility.  I am working to get to know the context in which I am now a pastor.   This means not only getting to know the people in our congregation, but also getting to know the community surrounding our congregation.   I am also working to establish credibility with you.   I want you to know that I am a pastor who first and foremost cares about you and, therefore, can be trusted when I do exercise pastoral leadership within our congregation.

My answer to the question about how best to get started in a new congregation is: understand context and establish credibility!  Wise decisions, effective programming and appropriate change will all follow.

Recently, I gave a “30, 60, 90 and Beyond” report to both the Administrative Council and the Staff-Parish Relations Committee.  This report lists what I have been doing to understand my context and establish credibility during my start up period at NUMC in terms of my first few months with you.  (The timeline is approximate.)  I thought you might like to see this report as well!

30 Days

·        Help people in the congregation understand that I love God and that I love them
·        Learn the names of people in the congregation
·        Begin visiting those in the congregation who have had recent life-changing events
·        Begin meeting with congregational leaders
·        Begin attending committee and team meetings
·        Learn how I can best support and encourage congregational leaders and their committees and teams
·        Begin the initial assessment of congregational strengths and needs
·        Research the basic history of Newtown
·        Learn the names of a significant number of people working in the Newtown business district
·        Learn about a significant number of businesses in the Newtown business district

 60 Days

·        Continue to help people in the congregation understand that I love God and that I love them
·        Continue visiting members of the congregation
·        Add definition to the initial assessment of congregational strengths and needs
·        Begin leaving my “business” cards with people working in the Newtown business district with the invitation for them to give the cards to people who need a listening ear
·        Begin to assess unmet needs in the Newtown community through research into demographics and community leader interviews and discussions

90 Days

·        Continue to help people in the congregation understand that I love God and that I love them
·        Continue visiting members of the congregation
·        Hold “Cottage Meetings” for congregational members in the homes of members of the SPRC
·        Develop a survey to be sent to members of the congregation
·        Beginning calling the inactive members of the congregation to introduce myself
·        Complete the initial assessment of congregational strengths and needs
·        Begin to connect with area groups (such as the local ministerium)

Beyond 90 Days

·        WHEN THE PEOPLE OF NUMC UNDERSTAND THAT I LOVE GOD AND THAT I LOVE THEM, begin to explore with them a vision for our congregation based on congregational strengths and unmet community needs, a strategic plan to enact that vision and a way to align the goals of committees and teams with that vision and plan

I am looking forward to the journey God has planned for us!

Blessings,

Pastor Blaik

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