Well Bootcampers the boys are back at it this time in JAX when Bob was in for a quick visit. Today they take up the topic of Vision and how to communicate it as a leader. Sit back, grab something to keep notes and consider how to improve your casting of vision.
Get a vision for your website from a quick consult with our great partner, One Eighty Digital. They are experts in the field and can get you up and running. Let them know you are a Bootcamper.
Don’t let 2021 overwhelm you, stay with the basics, the irreducible minimums of ministry and take joy in leading your congregation and loving your people. The guys are back at it, discussing how you can excel at Engaging the Community. (also Jimbo shares a pretty incredible story right up front)
Personal
To engage the community you have to love the community – to grow in your love for the community you have to be in the community
Get involved and go to the civic events, parades, sports events etc
Go to the coffee shops, diners, firehouses, feed stores-get out and be a part of the community
Interpersonal
Get to know the people right around your church.
Engage your neighborhood, invite people over for time around the firepit
Throw a neighborhood party
Set up in a coffee shop-put out a sign letting people know you are willing to pray for them.
Team
Engage the community together as a small group or church
Trunk or Treat at the Elementary School
Serve a youth sports team
Organizationally
Serve in the community as a church-get out and serve on others turf not your own
Cast a strong vision for your church members to engage in whatever arena they are active in
Serve a like minded organization
Serve with your city by engaging with the city leaders.
Episode #15 - Dealing with Depression and Discouragement with Special Guest Mark Clifton
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Mark Clifton, Sr. Director of Replant of the North American Mission Board, stopped by the bootcamp and dropped some great knowledge and advice about how to deal with discouragement and depression as a Replanter.
How can a Replanter stay encouraged and healthy?
Unfortunately many don’t.
Pastors operate wounded and then wound others-spending $20 on a 10 cent problem.
Satan’s number 1 tool against a Pastor is depression/discouragement.
The weight of ministry creates a cycle of discouragement and depression that often creates a victim mentality and a context in which operating with emotional intelligence is difficult.
If you find your purpose, joy and meaning in how well your church is doing–you’ll be feeding off the congregation and not feeding them. And you’ll always be searching for Joy.
Find your joy in Jesus alone.
Talk to yourself, instead of listening to yourself.
Should a Pastor admit struggles and weaknesses?
You need to be vulnerable as a Pastor, but you also need to be cautious about how and with whom you are vulnerable.
Find a group of Leaders (Other Pastors, Director of Missions, Associational Missional Strategist, Elders) who you are living in community with and be vulnerable with them.
Be wise about your struggles with the congregation during your preaching.
We must remember that we have the Gospel-our trust is not in ourselves but in Jesus.
Use your weaknesses and inadequacies to point to the cross instead of using them to garner sympathy.
What are some other sources of encouragement for a discouraged Pastor/Replanter?
Read the Scriptures
Read the Puritans
Listen to good sermons (Spurgeon, Martin Lloyd Jones)
Don’t unload your church frustrations on your spouse/family.
Relax and remember that the church is the Lord’s, he is the one who will grow it and care for it.
Fight for your joy, the gospel and your church.
Are there some signs that it’s time to consider transitioning away from your church?
If the work is destroying your family, faith and your Christian walk-you may need to consider stepping down.
To be honest, some men should not be Pastors, and they need to come to terms with that. They could be called to be a good church leader, a great church member.
Every Pastor must have a clear call from God-or he shouldn’t be pastoring.
Often, in the midst of discouragement a Pastor is prone to choose isolation over community.
Find a good Christian counselor-for yourself and for your congregation.
If you are a Pastor experiencing serious discouragement please reach out to someone for help today.
