Today’s post comes to us from George Bullard, President of The Columbia Partnership, General Secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship of the Baptist World Alliance, and Senior Editor of TCP Books.

The father of post World War II practical church consulting, Lyle Schaller, was my most significant consulting mentor and spoke prophetically into my life. He taught me amazing things about congregations, how to consult with them, and how to bring about change within them.

I met Lyle in 1978 and began receiving training and mentoring directly from him.

One day I was sitting at lunch with Lyle at the Yokefellow Institute in Richmond, IN. I praised him for the training I was receiving that week. Then I indicated what I was learning was contradictory to his book, The Local Church Looks to the Future. Lyle indicated I was right. He did not believe what he wrote in that book any more.

“But, Lyle,” I said. “I saw this book for sale in a bookstore within the past two weeks.”

“Oh, I believe in eating,” proclaimed Lyle. “I have not asked my publisher to withdraw any books from store shelves. I have just moved on beyond that and do not believe what I said in that book. It does not work.”

He went on to explain that too many congregations read his book, appointed a committee, and gave them the task of coming up with a written mission, purpose, core values, and vision. They brought forward long documents describing these, and were then weary and stopped their planning efforts without ever taking positive, forward action.

My exchange almost 40 years ago with Lyle Schaller has many implications for congregations. Here are a few.

First, it is not as important that you have a well crafted, written statement of vision as it is that you are captivated by God’s vision for your congregation. Empowering actions that create forward ministry progress are more important than an exceptional statement of vision. Words will come when it is time.

Second, while being captivated by God’s vision for your congregation is the most important element of the forward movement of your congregation, it is not the first thing you need to focus on when seeking to make forward ministry progress. It may be the second, third, or fourth. It depends.

To read the third and fourth points, click here.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.