What Makes a Pastor [Layman] Effective?
Roger L. Dudley and Peter Swanson
Ministry Magazine, December 2000
This article, summarizing a 1997 study by the North American Division
of Seventh-Day Adventists, was of great interest to me. The
initial purpose was to study a cross-section of 100 pastors of Anglo
churches in the division to "look for any common denominators in
education, experience, conference leadership, evangelistic programs,
methods, and personality profile." However, as I read the
article, I realized that many of the attributes that make a pastor
effective also make the laymen effective, and I found myself anaylizing
my own ministries by these criteria (some criteria have been modified
to fit a layman, such as replacing "church" with "home").
- Leads public meetings within the past year.
- Hosts evangelistic guests within the past year.
- Has a goal of being a full-time evangelist.
- Conducts training for new members and other layman.
- Leads a needs-seminar within the past year.
- Participates in Men's/Women's/Family ministry.
- Stays involved with church activities.
- Has a goal of radio/television ministry
- Follows up on requests for visitation
- Works as a literature evangelist
- Participates in prophecy seminars within the past year
- Keeps home physically attractive
- Invites others to home for worship and Bible study
I could add a few others to my personal list of how I can be effective
for Christ...But an equally important list that I have to consider is
am I interfering in Christ's work? An article by Don Wood led me
to ponder whether I am a disciple or a deviant...
I may be a problem if...
- I cannot be a happy servant of God without having an office or
title.
- The offices I hold become "my" offices.
- I fear involvement in leadership by other people or ethnic groups
or races.
- Differences in education level are viewed as potential threats to
the church order.
- Being on the church board is the ultimate recognition of my
significance among the members.
- I avoid all involvement except administrative meetings.
- I see prayer meeting as a waste of time.
- I spread damaging information or falsehoods about fellow members
for the purpose of hurting their influence and neutralizing their
effectiveness.
- I actively listen to the gossip or complaints about members, and
never try to get the other sides of the stories.
- Service, to me, is only administrative, rarely evangelistic
or supportive through personal effort.
Wood concludes that if I am the enemy, I need spritual help. God
alone is able to help me overcome the fear that causes me to be
devisive and hurtful. When I let Him take control of my life, and
let Him lead His church His way, I will be an effective layman.
Study performed by Peter Swanson, PhD dissertation, Andrews
University, 1999
"Are You the Problem?" Don Wood Adventist Review, Septermber 1999