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God believes in you (w/ Sam Chand)

podcast Dec 09, 2021

Leadership legend Sam Chand still remembers when Shawn told him, “When I hand off this church I want to do what you’re doing.”

In fact, Sam remembers the restaurant where the exchange happened…

And that’s one of the things that makes leaders like Sam Chand great— they see big vision but they drill it down by paying attention to the one person sitting in front of them.

 

In this episode Sam talks about pastors. Right now, shepherds are tired, he says. “They’re frazzled. Fatigued.”

Furthermore, this has nothing to do with their love for Jesus, but the season they’ve just endured.

(Sometimes, we need to realize that— the environment we’re in actually affects us in ways disproportional to the time involved.)

 

Pastors had to make fast decisions throughout the pandemic, and— as Sam says, “Regardless of the decision you made, you’ll be wrong with 50% of the people.”

The “no-win” scenario many pastors faced was much like quicksand…

“The more you struggle to get out, the more you get sucked in…”

 

This leads us to four observations— 

 

#1 = Pastors (and their teams) face disengagement and disillusionment: 

  •  70% of their staff members disengaged during the past 18 months (and are not hiding it), according to Gallup.
  •  30% are still deciding what to do next

In other words, EVERYONE seems to be in a state of limbo.

 

#2 = Staff conflict has increased. 

A lot of this has to do with the changes people have endured, and a lot has to do with the fatigue + frazzle we mentioned earlier. 

In a real sense, there’s no way to have endured the past 18 months and NOT have changed. And that always leads to relational tensions which must be addressed.

 

#3 = “Help Wanted.”

You see the signs everywhere— in shopping malls, at restaurants, at coffee shops, at movie theaters… 

Even in volunteer (and staff) positions in churches, we see the signs. Many people returned to church, but they didn’t return to their previous ministry posts.

Ushers. 

Greeters. 

Kids’ workers. 

Parking lot attendants…  

The needs have actually increased— not decreased. We’re doing far more with much less.

 

#4 = The professional to personal pivot…

Sam notes that many leaders who used look only at organizational metrics (i.e., “the numbers” of nickels and noses) are now asking questions about themselves— about their health, their marriage, and the things they may have previously neglected. 

“Leaders can become so driven that they overlook these important personal issues,” he says.

Notably, this is a POSITIVE pivot— leaders must become more self-aware.

 

This includes asking tough questions— like “What brings us LIFE?”

Is it the ministry? 

Or external feedback?

Are we doing, as Jeremiah warned, drinking soul-water from empty cisterns, from things that can’t satisfy (Jeremiah 2:13)?

 

The reality is that the externals— the “things” we’re often tempted to feed to our soul for meaning— won’t be there on our deathbeds. 

No one, in their final days, wishes they spent more time on stage, more time on a plane, or more time in a hotel…

It’s important to remember, Sam says, “If you die on a Saturday, they will hold churches on the next day…”

Shawn adds, “Prioritize people who will come see you in the cemetery.” 

In reality, most pastors don’t. They tend to push those people out to focus on the ones who won’t….

 

During this season, Sam focuses on two things— 

#1 = Creating content (like the new magazine and podcast he just released— links below)

#2 = Influencing influencers (through venues like speaking on this podcast and connecting with leaders like you).

 

In closing, he reminds us of four truths— 

 

#1 = You are not alone. 

You might feel that way, but you’re one of many (1 Kings 19:18).

 

#2 = There is nothing wrong with you. 

You’ve just endured (and are on the tail end) of a strange season, one in which many people feel exactly like you do.

 

#3 = God knows the times and seasons (Acts 17:26).

He entrusted you with this epoch (Esther 4:14). He did so, because He has great confidence in you…

 

#4 = You’re probably thinking in new ways (i.e., the professional to personal pivot), and even pondering things about yourself. 

Don’t run from those ideas just because you’ve endured a difficult time period. Trust the Holy Spirit and competent counsel to lead you.

 


Links for the show 

Sam Chand’s website: https://www.samchand.com/ 

Avail Magazine = https://www.theartofleadership.com 

Avail Podcast = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/avail-podcast/id1521323044 

https://twitter.com/samchand 

https://www.instagram.com/samchandleadership 

 

Courage to Lead resources: 

Help with processes = www.CourageousPastors.com/ogg 

Staff  / Teams course = www.CourageousPastors.com/cc 

Schedule a Strategy Session with a coach today = www.CourageousPastors.com/strategy 

 

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