The key roles for denominational leaders, he says, are first to resource congregations, then plant new congregations and not listen to whiners. Obviously I agree with the roles Bill laid out for those of us in denominational life. In light of his comments, here are my responses:  

I find that many in denominational life want congregational transformation and reproduction more for survival reasons than Kingdom reasons. Therefore when life and health are pursued, and the whiners (in both denominations and individual congregations) react with loud and plaintive cries, these leaders listen, because they are afraid of risking the loss of both people and dollars presently in order to gain health, growth and expansion later. When resources are provided for congregations, they are given in such a way that they do not require pain. Accountability to use the resources well with the understanding that further resources will not be provided if they are not used well is not even a consideration. Yet without stringent accountability change will not occur and transformation and reproduction will not happen. If the survival of a congregation and in turn the survival of a denomination is the reason for acting God will not bless. Transformation and reproduction are about advancing the Kingdom of God, not saving institutions, regardless of how long they have been in existence. And advancing the Kingdom of God always involves faith (or risk) which means we must always be willing to lose now in order for God to provide more in the future.  

Bill Easum said that the key roles for pastors are to develop visions for reaching their communities, rather than seeing their role as just leading their individual congregations. This involves raising up future leaders from their congregations, coaching them to become full-time paid staff members, and finally pursuing strategies for multiplication (multiplying services, locations and congregations).   

As I continue to observe the miracle of GHC, these three observations from Bill Easum ring true. Our miracle continues first of all because of our God’s blessing. And our God seems to be blessing these pastors who understand they are called to their communities first before they are called to their congregations. These pastors possess a whole different mind set and as a result develop very different strategies from pastors who see themselves called to lead just their own individual congregations. It is the difference between a Kingdom mindset and a Church mindset.   

One result of the new Kingdom strategies is the raising up of staff members from within the congregation rather than seeking to find new staff from the current clergy and staff pool of the professionals. Those recruited from within already have a track record of service, they have proven themselves as leaders and they possess the DNA of health.  

Finally, if you are about seeing the transformation of your community you understand as a pastor that multiplication is a mandate. Our communities will only be reached as we surround them with a whole new group of congregations committed to health, growth and reproduction. That multiplication process begins with the reproduction of disciples and leaders. It then moves to the multiplication of services and venues. It is completed as new congregations are reproduced that then follow the same process of multiplication. As Bill Easum said in our time together, if every current congregation in the US would plant one congregation a year, we would gain new disciples at a faster rate than the population is growing.

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