One of the things I've learned from being an intentional interim pastor is that leading a church toward health, transition, and growth is like running a race down a long and winding road. But there's more to it than running. Let me suggest some things that are important to remember in this road race.
First, be in as good a shape as you can before you start. Be ready spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. Running down the road will take a lot out of you so be ready for some major and minor challenges. You will feel at times like you are running out of gas and are approaching empty. Be fully charged before you go, and make sure to plug into your power source every day long before you get into the red zone with too little power left. Scripture puts it well: "°be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." (Eph. 6:10) Pray, read God's Word, condition yourself spiritually as well as physically, meet regularly with other believers following the pattern described in Acts 2. Get in shape and stay in condition.
Next, recognize that not everyone will be willing or able to run down the road at the pace you will be running. There will always be people who need to run the race but who want to see how hard it will be first or how much they will need to put into the race before they begin. Many will be weak and unable to run. They might jog some and walk some. Others may only be able to walk and not run at all. Some may not even want to run down that road or run with you at all. You will need to prepare them, coach them, train them, encourage them, and cheerlead them. And you will always be recruiting and equipping others to go with you down the road toward where God is leading the church.
As the leader, always help others get back up when they stumble and fall. Remember that not everyone running down the road can run as fast as you. And there will always be others who take their eyes off of you and the goal, They will trip or stumble as a result and will need help getting back up and start again. Help your teammates. If necessary, help carry them to the goal. Love them to the finish line. Your example can be found in the words of the apostle Paul when he said, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 3:14) One thing about Paul, he never wanted to arrive at the goal of his journey alone, for he was a "come with me" kind of follower of Jesus.
One thing about being an intentional interim pastor, you will always need to keep in your view the next leader to whom you will pass the baton of leadership. The road toward revitalization is not about you. It is always about Jesus and His church. In order to get the victory in the race toward revitalization, it will take a team effort involving the whole church led by a new pastor and a renewed leadership. Your job is to get the church started down the road of revitalization where disciples of Jesus are multiplied, the neighborhood and community is transformed. The result is God gets the glory as the people of God, lead by the Spirit of God, and directed by the Word of God, turn people from the darkness of sin and Satan toward the kingdom of the light of Christ.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb. 12:1-2)
How would you describe running down the road of revitalization?
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