Church Leadership

by Joel Comiskey

Winter 2014

2014 is almost over. Some of you are rejoicing in the great strides of your cell ministry in 2014. Others are wondering what went wrong. Whether 2014 was a bumper year or a dry time, you need to stretch, celebrate, and rest.

Stretch

Think of Usain Bolt, the fastest human in the world, stretching at the finish line. Okay, so maybe you haven’t run at Bolt’s pace in 2014, but you still need to finish well. You only have a few more weeks. Press on and encourage your leaders to keep going.

Celebrate

Don’t forget to celebrate the accomplishments of your cell leaders. After all, your cell leaders have pastored your church in 2014. They have made disciples who make disciples. Perhaps 2014 was a year of retooling with very little visible fruit. Celebrate anyway. Remember making disciples through cell ministry is biblical and long-term. You are not growing a tomato plant that sprouts quickly, provides immediate results, but dies at the end of one year. Rather, you are growing a coconut tree that is planted once but lasts for a lifetime.

Some pastors have seen clear, visible results in 2014 and can more “easily” celebrate the victories. I’m coaching one pastor who has been promoting his goal of twenty cell groups and might finish 2014 with twenty-two groups. He has been patiently working on his equipping track and coaching. His leaders caught the vision of outreach and developing disciples through cell ministry. The lead pastor has even identified one possible future pastor in the process. I reminded this pastor to celebrate the church’s accomplishments.

Rest

You will accomplish more if you rest. You need to diligentlyrest. Sound like a contradiction? It’s not. Some pastors and leaders minister on empty. In their quest to serve Jesus, they forget that Christ’s yoke is easy and his burden is light. Instead of joyfully ministering from a place of deep rest, they run on past fumes. Those under theseburnt out leaders are negatively affected as they observe impatience, irritation, and a controlling spirit. Pastor, take some time off. Enjoy your family. Give your leaders a break. Don’t rush into next year’s goals without celebrating past victories and promoting sufficient rest.