The Pastor's Role and Relationships Adapted from a manuscript by: Larry G. Hess

INTRODUCTION The success of our personal life and ministry will depend on our ability to effectively function in our role and maintain healthy relationships with our family, fellow ministers, and congregation.

INTRODUCTION Let's look at various areas of the minister's role and relationships.

LEADERSHIP IN THE HOME Our commitment to the future must be sustained by faith, strong family bonds, and a love for home.

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE A.THE BASIS OF SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY Authority is based on people being able to trust our lifestyle as godly. Authority is based on the leader's love for people. Authority is based on a servant's heart. A key to positive spiritual leadership is the leader's sincere desire and willingness to serve.

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE B.CHARACTERISTICS OF A LEADERSHIP IMAGE Image and perception are very important. Character is more important than image for character defines who we really are. The minister must work to be seen as a person in touch with God; someone who understands the will of God and who has a vision from God.

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE C.QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP 1. Trust 2. Sincerity 3. Integrity

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE Personal integrity and godly effectiveness in life and ministry require congruency between personal devotion and six (6) areas of public conduct. Development of these six areas helps to strengthen one's skill in the construction/formation of personal integrity.

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE Six components of personal integrity a)Character b)Emotion c)Thinking d)Behavior e)Relationships f)Surroundings

MAINTAINING A LEADERSHIP IMAGE For a minister, maintenance of one's own integrity is the highest responsibility of his/her life. The world looks to ministers as examples of moral integrity. When we compromise our moral integrity, we forfeit our greatest perceived contribution to the church and society.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS There are three (3) key ingredients that form an atmosphere uniquely different from that of the world. Love Acceptance Communication

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS LOVE Sometimes we have difficulty loving certain people within our church fellowship. Following are some categories or descriptions that might fit these people: 1)People whose needs seem never-ending. 2)People we do a lot for, but who don't seem to be very appreciative. 3)Individuals we sense that are out to get us. 4)People we don't feel we can trust. 5)People who have shut us out of their world.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ACCEPTANCE Acceptance promotes feelings of security and well-being. In order to be effective, we must also accept our circumstances. Difficulties can be the tools of God, so let us respond in faith to all circumstances.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION Churches are held together by communication, not structure. In the administrative process, communication is not merely one of the functions—it permeates all functions and links them together.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION It is communicate effectively or suffer the consequences!

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION Effective pastoral/administrative communication needs clear and communicable goals, adequate resources, motivated people, and skill.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION 1)Communicate objectives repeatedly and clearly. 2)Protect the emotional tone of communication. 3)Identify clear channels for communication. 4)Recognize different levels of communication. 5)Teach people to communicate.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Communication 6)Evaluate yourself as a communicator. 7)Get feedback on your communication. 8)Remember solicited feedback will be better than that which is unsolicited. 9)Feedback needs to be checked and rechecked to ensure its validity. 10)Seek to clarify your ideas before communicating.

BUILDING CONGREGATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS COMMUNICATION 11)Examine the true purpose of each communication. 12)Consult with others, where appropriate, in planning communication. 13)Follow up your communication. 14)Communicate for tomorrow as well as today. 15)Seek first to understand and then to be understood.

CONCLUSION Good communication is essential for a pastor to be effective in his/her role and relationships. Learning to listen and improving skills as a listener and communicator is vital We must be careful at all times to build relationships with others and overcome conflicts without sacrificing clear, Biblical convictions.