NOTE 4.
The new pastor who can't beat the theory
We often speak about 'honeymoon periods' for pastoral leaders - those first few idealistic months when the dream of a 'perfect church' (or for the church, a 'perfect pastor') is still alive.I think there is tremendous goodwill for a new leader, and congregations are programmed to love all the people who labour among them, as do the labourers, those whom they are serving.
But dreams can turn nasty! Recently - in my mentoring ministry - I have had cause to reflect on why this happens. Sometimes it is simply reality catching up with a church that has been dysfunctional for some time.
Perhaps its dysfunction has been masked by loyalty to a previous leader. Things really were not working, but people overlooked this. Their affection made them loyal to a long term shepherd.
Unfortunately for the new leader, that same glue does not apply to newbies. Once the 'crush' of 'liminence'(1) wears off, the true bustedness of the system comes to the surface.
Some of these dysfunctions can be explained with 'church size theory'(2).
This is where calm and shrewd leadership analysyis will help, aided probably by a mentor or coach to offer the support of objectivity and a thoughtful conversation partner.
In the Oilstone program we explore the sticky business of leadership structures, but even more, in my mentoring ministry this is staple diet.
Peter Moore, 19 Mar 2015
1. 'Limerence' - 'an involuntary potentially inspiring state of adoration and attachment to a limerent object involving intrusive and obsessive thoughts, feelings and behaviors from euphoria to despair, contingent on perceived emotional reciprocation' Willmott, Lynn (2012). Love and Limerence: Harness the Limbicbrain. Lathbury House.
2. 'Church Size Theory' - see for example 'Sizing Up Your Congregation' .