Getting a new church job can be scary. And pastors often overlook pitfalls in those new jobs. In this article, adapted from my book on on-boarding for pastors, I list 7 pitfalls new pastors must avoid in a new church job.
A quaint story circulated among Methodists describes a young pastor fresh out of seminary who had just begun his first pastorate. As he drove up to the small church he noticed an old tree blocking the side doors into the building. In his exuberance he cut the tree down to show the congregation his decisive leadership. Unfortunately, no one told him that they believed that John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had planted it hundreds of years earlier. He had one of the shortest pastorates on record after that.[1] Even if this story is somewhat dubious, it captures what often happens in a new ministry when a new pastor is blind to potential pitfalls. Here are 7 common pitfalls a pastor to a new church should seek to avoid.
New Pastors: 7 Pitfalls to Avoid
Pitfall # 1. Cookie cutter: Thinking what worked before will work now.
“It’s a mistake to believe that you will be successful in your new job by continuing to do what you did in your previous job, only more so.”[2] This pitfall reflects a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to ministry. Such thinking not only could be a mismatch for the church, but could stifle learning new ways to do ministry crucial to your continued professional and spiritual growth.
Sometimes this pitfall shows up when we realize we’re talking too much about our previous ministry and our successes there. An occasional reference to your former ministry is fine. But when it becomes commonplace, your staff, volunteers, and people in the church may hear you imply that your prior ministry was better than your current one. Don’t communicate buyer’s remorse, even if you feel it.
Pitfall # 2. Smartie-pants: Assuming you know all the answers.
I still remember an embarrassing conversation with a leader in my first church where I was lead pastor. We disagreed on an issue and I recall saying, “I’m usually right on most things.” When I think back on that statement I cringe at the egotism I conveyed with that comment. I had failed to remember that Proverbs 16.18 warns that pride comes before a fall.
