A little bit of New Life history......
New Life began with an Interim Leadership Team (ILT) in place to be my accountability group and help me make significant decisions regarding the church. The ILT has always been a small group of people from our church-plant team that have understood New Life’s DNA, culture, and mission. They have worked tirelessly in multiple ministries, promoted fellowship activities, led the way in leading LIFE Groups, protected the church during a couple of crisis times, and lifted and encouraged me when I needed it most. Their value to this ministry and to me, personally, has been incalculable.
However, their service in this capacity has long exceeded what any of us originally anticipated. In fact, the inside joke is that this isn’t the Interim Leadership Team; it’s the Eternal Leadership Team.
For many very good reasons, it is time for us to move beyond this start-up form of leadership into something with a broader base. That’s why I’m excited that we now have the pieces in place to transition to the form of church governance we envisioned from the beginning – a church led by four different groups of qualified leaders, each operating in their area of gift. Spiritual Stewards leading in areas where spiritual health and maturity are key, Financial Stewards leading in matters that are financial, the Pastoral Staff leading in the day-to-day ministries, and the Senior Pastor leading as the principle Bible teacher and visionary point person.
On this site you will find a Comparative Organizational Chart and a Steward Mission Summary sheet. Please take some time to study both. It is vitally important that you know how our leaders work together.
Also, to help you better understand this, I’d like to point out the following characteristics of our leadership structure:
Broad Based – Our current ILT has only four members, but we are anticipating having around ten Spiritual Stewards and six Financial Stewards. That means we will have expanded this leadership force from four to sixteen or more. And it also means that one person (not even the Senior Pastor) could never seize control of New Life. The leadership base will simply be too broad for that to take place.
Gift Based – Churches governed by a board often struggle because members of the board are asked to make decisions about ministries they have never led, and in areas where they have no expertise. Our organizational structure clearly puts the responsibility at the feet of those who are most qualified and experienced.
Equipping Based – The Spiritual Stewards, Financial Stewards, Pastoral Staff, and Senior Pastor do not consider themselves the “ministers” of New Life. Although all of us serve in various ministries, our responsibilities in leadership are different. At New Life leaders lead through equipping, training, and resourcing those around them to do ministry. Leaders don’t just make decisions. In fact, making decisions is one of their more minor roles. I think our Leadership Core Value says it best. “We believe the purposes of healthy leadership are primarily influence, training, and support; not power, authority, and control.”
Consensus Based – At New Life, we never vote on anything...because voting tends to divide people instead of bring them together in unity. Even in our leadership setting we never vote. Rather, we work on a consensus basis...believing that if God is in something, then He will bring us together in unity. So, we study passages of scripture that might apply to the decision we’re making, pray, and discuss it until a consensus is reached...then we proceed with confidence and unity.
This explains how New Life makes decisions in these individual areas, but how does it make decisions that affect the whole church? Very similarly. Again, we don’t vote. Instead we get these four groups of leaders together and ask the following questions:
To The Spiritual Stewards – “Would this benefit New Life spiritually?” — In other words, if we hired this person...or bought this land...or rented this facility...etc., would it promote the spiritual growth of our members and attenders?
To The Financial Stewards – “Does this make financial sense?” — Looking at this with eyes of faith, would this be a financially prudent thing to do? Or would it significantly endanger New Life’s financial stability and future?
To The Pastoral Staff – “Does this make ministry sense?” — If we decide to do this, would it promote the development and functionality of ministry in the church?
To The Senior Pastor – “Is this decision in harmony with the vision God has given New Life?” — Would it help us achieve the specific mission God has given to this church?
If all four groups answer “yes”, then a consensus would be reached, and we would proceed forward in unity. However, if any one of the groups answers “no”, then we would not proceed, because doing so would end up to be destructive to New Life.
As you can see, getting the correct people to serve in these capacities is vitally important for New Life’s success. Through much prayer, God has led us to the following process:
Step #1 is the invitation/selection of the Steward Candidates. A letter of invitation and a self-evaluation sheet have already been sent to 38 prospective Spiritual and Financial Steward Candidates.
Step #2 is a Vision Night for all Steward Candidates and current Ministry Leaders. This will be a special evening where the vision for our future is clearly laid out, and each is invited to participate in the coming LEADERSHIP TREK — training specifically designed for leaders at New Life.
Step #3 is LEADERSHIP TREK itself. It will feature four training sessions designed to increase our understanding of the mission God has given us, the strategies He’s called us to, and the skills needed to effectively lead New Life’s people in ministry. An RSVP must be received by Oct 2nd. Register Now!
Step #4 is Steward Training. This session will come after LEADERSHIP TREK is complete, and it will feature training specific to the ministry of Spiritual and Financial Stewards. During most of this session, the Spiritual and Financial Stewards will be separated, with each receiving training specific to their area of leadership.
Step #5 is Steward Selection. Through prayer and personal interviews, the ILT, Pastoral Staff, and I will select New Life’s initial team of Spiritual and Financial Stewards.
Step #6 is Steward Appointment. This will be a special time when each of the Stewards is introduced to the congregation, and then set aside for this task through prayer.
Step #7 is Steward Implementation. The first order of business will be organizing each group — figuring out when, where, and how often to meet; selection of a point person; division of duties/responsibilities; channels of accountability; etc.
Step #8 is Doing The Work. I can hardly wait for this to happen. Sure, there will undoubtedly be awkward moments along this path. And we’ll have to work out the details as we proceed. But, New Life’s capacity to minister in this community will be greatly enhanced as these Stewards begin doing their work!
But, wait...there’s one more thing...and it’s especially for you!
As the ILT, the pastoral staff, and I discussed the training needed to bring these people together into a unified, synergistic and cohesive group, God led us to another great idea. Why not invite our present ministry leaders to share in that training? Our future Stewards will certainly come from this group. Why not give them a head start? The more we prayed about it, the more sense it made.
So, I am happy to be able to announce to you that in October New Life will be launching its very first LEADERSHIP TREK! See Training Schedule enclosed.
And even further...we decided to open the Vision Night and LEADERSHIP TREK to anyone from New Life who would wish to participate. However, in order to do so, you must register by October 2.
I hope you can sense my excitement! It’s there because training and empowering Stewards is God’s next step for us. It’s all a part of His plan to help New Life grow and mature as a congregation.
Thank you for your wonderful partnership in ministry. People like you have helped make New Life a safe and exciting place for everyone to seek and follow God.
Serving with you,
Senior Pastor