The first year or so of a pastor's tenure in a new congregation is precarious; many pastors stay at a new congregation for fewer than five years. This handbook helps coach both experienced and new pastors to enter a new congregation effectively. Drawing from organizational systems leadership material in religious and secular worlds, it offers nearly fifty tips and tools designed to help new pastors analyze their congregation's system and then to lead leaders within the congregation to affect positive change. Using imagery from Alice in Wonderland to clarify various archetypal roles within the church community, Harris provides concrete suggestions for facilitating communication and dealing with difficult behaviors within the congregation. He provides a coaching approach to ministry, in which the pastor reframes issues and asks provocative questions-a powerful strategy to maximize a new pastor's chances for success. Readers will find tools to help them uncover critical information about their new congregation regarding: *congregational norms, particularly regarding the office of pastor, conflict, and holy objects; *their history and sense of God's call; *the true leaders among the congregation; *mutual accountability.
Contents Foreword Preface Part I. Entering Wonderland: The First Six Months Chapter 1. What Do You See? Take a Close Look Chapter 2. How Can I Really Get to Know Them? You Can't Guess Chapter 3. How Solid Is the Foundation? Assessing the Trust Level Chapter 4. Who's Leading around Here? Assessing Individual Leaders Chapter 5. Assessing the Leadership-The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Chapter 6. What Size Is Your Church? Size Matters Part II. Your Next Six Months (More or Less) Chapter 7. What Have You Learned About Yourself? Gremlins and Boundaries Chapter 8. Where Are We Headed? Assessing the Congregation's Mission and Vision Chapter 9. How's Business? Leadership and Management Chapter 10. How Do I Deal with Difficult Behavior? Perspectives and Suggestions Chapter 11. What's Next? Reviewing Your First Year and Looking Forward Appendix A. Tips Arranged by Chapter Appendix B. Tools Arranged by Chapter Appendix C. Coaching Assignments Arranged by Chapter Appendix D. Information about Coaching Appendix E. Word/Share/Prayer Bible Studies Appendix F. Sample Covenant of Behavior Appendix G. Sample Mission and Vision Statements Bibliography Notes
