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QUESTION:
As a lay-leader in my church, I have recently found out how poorly our senior pastor treats most of the other staff “behind the scenes.” Two of the staff members are thinking of quitting.

He is very good at manipulating information and opinions, so I am not sure how our elders board would react if I were to approach them about it.

I don’t feel that I am in a position to confront him, plus I really do not handle conflict well. Some amazing, good things are happening at our church, but I don’t think this undercurrent of antagonism within the leadership can go unchecked. It is seriously affecting some very talented ministry workers and making them doubt their own callings and abilities. Any suggestions?
- Sarah :: Canada

ANSWER:
Unfortunately, some churches have mean pastors. It is a leadership flaw that hurts the church, even when the church appears to be thriving. In your case, it sounds like your pastor hurts the people doing the most vital work, which certainly affects the quality of their work. Sadly, too many Christians can relate to your story.

I have heard plenty of stories, including one church where the staff and even the volunteers were in constant fear of being fired (yes, they fired volunteers and sometimes in bulk). It noticeably affected church workers. In fact, one churchgoer who stayed described the volunteering experience as:

I feel like it is an abusive marriage. I get mistreated, but I still keep coming back.
- Anonymous Churchgoer

I can not give you a perfect formula for how to respond to a mean pastor because there is no universal cause for pastoral meanness. But I can give you some ideas that might work.

1. Pray
   Above all else, pray. Pray for your mean pastor. Pray for personal guidance. How should you handle the situation? Should you confront the leader? Should you stay at that church?
2. Confront
   Confrontation is ideal. Matthew 18:15-22 is a good guide to confrontation. A strong leader can handle constructive confrontation, particularly from their core workers. But some leaders will fire you for confronting them, and some will go as far as banning you from their church (no joke).
3. Ignore It & Focus
   Some people do well ignoring the negatives and focusing on how to improve what they do. It is tough, but I have seen it work.
4. Leave
   If you do not feel called by God to be attending and serving that church, leave and find a church that can be a better steward of your abilities. If you are called to that church, than you stay there, constantly pray, and then confront it, ignore it, or both (if confronting does not work).

Most importantly, guard against bitterness and forgive your mean pastor so that you can be in right standing with God (Matthew 6:15).

For Discussion:
- What advice do you have for responding to a mean pastor?

If you have a question you want Church Relevance to answer, submit it via our Q+A form.

This week, The Barna Group published the results of a study investigating what makes today’s American Dream. What I find most intriguing is the growing goal of Americans to be more spiritual. It is not a drastic change, but all three spiritual areas polled in the study grew in support from previous years.

• 75% of American adults in 2008 want to have a close relationship with God in the future
  (5th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 70% in 2000
  >> 74% in 1993
  >> 72% in 1991
• 59% of American adults in 2008 want to be deeply committed to the Christian faith in the future
  (11th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 53% in 2000
• 45% of American adults in 2008 want to be personally active in a church in the future
  (14th most desired outcome in ‘08)
  >> 42% in 2000

I was pleasantly surprised to see the numbers so high. However, there is a big difference between wanting to do something and actually doing it.

• 3 in 5 Americans (59%) want to be discipled, but they need churches with leaders that can spur them to act on that desire.

• 9 in 20 Americans (45%) want to be involved in church, but they need church leadership that can encourage and motivate them to volunteer, participate, and become personally active in church.

The numbers are very promising, but it is up to church leadership to get these Americans to act on their desires. To see the rankings of the 19 desires that make up the American Dream, read Barna’s full article.

Last year, Cisco and Munsion Systems performed the world’s first real time 3D holographic telepresence video presentation. In other words, two men interacted live on a stage. But one was physically present in India, and the other was a life-size 3D holographic projection from California.

Cisco’s Live Telepresence Presentation

So how can churches use this technology? You are probably already getting ideas, but if you want to realistically assess the opportunities, it helps to understand how holograms are already being used.

Holographic video is not new. In fact, it has been used by the MTV Music Awards, FIFPro World Player Awards, the Grammy Awards, Virgin, TF1, and GE.

Holographic Performance Compilation

TF1Conference

3D Holographic Engine Presentation by GE

Telepresence allows you to create live “in-person” experiences by combining telecommunications with advanced imagery. And when that imagery is 3D holographic technology, the experience is truly remarkable.

Businesses use telepresence for meetings, and hospitals use it for training. But the areas of public speaking and presentation telepresence offer the greatest opportunities for churches.

Cisco TelePresence Video Conferencing

DVE 3D Telepresence Stage

Telestra Using 3D Telepresence

Obviously, this technology is very expensive, but perhaps one day it will quite affordable. For the latest on telepresence technology, visit Telepresence Options. According to ZDNet, by 2010 we will have holographic handsets that place 3D imaging capabilities in the hands of millions.

For Discussion:
- What do you think of telepresence?
- How could your ministry utilize this technology (if it was affordable)?

[via Human Productivity Lab & Digital Leadnet]

Last summer, I created a list of my top 20 favorite church logos. Now I have added thirteen more church logos to the list, which makes it the Top 33 Church Logos. They are the best church logos I have found that are:

• aesthetically pleasing
• distinctive
• memorable
• timeless
• scalable
• and easy to work with

Here’s a sneak peek at the new additions:

To see the rest of the logos, check out the full list of the Top 33 Church Logos.

For Discussion:
- What are your favorite church logos and why?

Cornerstone Community Church (Simi Valley, CA) has been maxing out their facility for the past seven years. Obviously, the solution is more property and a bigger building. But the leadership at Cornerstone Community Church did not feel peace about spending $50 million to $60 million (California is expensive) going the traditional route. They asked themselves:

Would God rather we spend the money in other ways?

What about helping the world’s poor and suffering? What about serving our local community? How can we create a Biblical community that ministers through their actions?

The answer to their questions was the Conerstone Tierra Rejada Building Project. It is a church building campaign that saves money and creates a place that prioritizes serving the people outside of their church rather than self-serving their own needs. The project includes:

• Cornerstone Community Church & Eternity Bible College Facilities
  >> Outdoor Sanctuary (3,000 person capacity)
  >> Gym/Multi-Purpose Building (1,000 person capacity)
  >> Chapel/Multi-Purpose Building (300 person capacity)
  >> Administration Building with Library
  >> Classroom Buildings
  >> Maintenance and Restroom Buildings
• Children’s Hunger Fund Facilities
  >> Administration Buildings and Learning Center
  >> Warehouse/Packing Buildings
• Athletic Fields
  >> 3.8 acres of shared-use athletic fields (will encourage local community use)
• Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facility
  >> Creates tertiary-treated recycled water for irrigation
• Onsite Parking Facilities
  >> 2,000 parking spaces
  >> Eco-friendly “grass-crete” pavement
• Open Space
  >> Approximately 58.8 acres of preserved open space
  >> Only 3% of total site developed

To better understand “Why?”

Watch this sermon (click here) by Senior Pastor Francis Chan. And watch the following videos:

Church Leadership Discusses a Need

What Can $20 Million Dollars Do?

I admire their stewardship. Obviously, their church model does not work for every church because God gives each of us a unique calling. However, I think it is an excellent example of how we all should evaluate our ministries within their own unique contexts and search for ways to maximize our stewardship.

Guts Church (Tulsa, OK) had their 8th annual Tougher Than Hell Motorcycle Rally this past weekend. A 2008 Custom Harley Deluxe and a 2008 Ford Mustang were given away. And over 1,500 bikers rode a 120 mile poker run. Afterwards, ’70s rock group Bad Company performed, and fireworks capped off the night.

It may seem far from your typical church event, but at the end of the night hundreds of bikers dedicated their lives to Christ. And over $300,000 was raised to provide starving kids with clean water and food.

[Photo Credits: Harold Davis]

Your church’s electronics still cost money when turned off or in standby mode. Although they may seem “off,” they are actually still consuming electricity. It is called standby power, and it costs Americans an estimated $4 billion extra per year.

FIRST, TURN THINGS OFF

Unfortunately, some do not even bother to turn their electronics off. Neglecting this simple step wastes a significant portion of a church’s budget. And if this is you, standby power is the least of your problems. Researchers at Choice recently tested the energy consumption of popular electronics and discovered:

• Sony Playstation 3
  >> $260.76 yearly while on & playing
  >> $228.28 yearly when left on & idle
  >> $2.33 yearly while off (standby power)
• Plasma TV
  >> $232.10 yearly when left on
  >> $1.13 yearly while off (standby power)
• Xbox 360
  >> $203.38 yearly while on & playing
  >> $184.32 yearly when left on & idle
  >> $3.16 yearly while off (standby power)
• Desktop PC
  >> 130.23 yearly when left on
  >> $9.57 yearly while off (standby power)
• iMac
  >> $80.05 yearly when left on
  >> $7.42 yearly while off (standby power)
• LCD Monitor
  >> $43.13 yearly when left on
  >> $2.14 yearly while off (standby power)
• DVD Player
  >> $34.42 yearly while on & playing
  >> $27.25 yearly when left on & idle
  >> $1.77 yearly while off (standby power)

If your church youth group has a game room, be sure the Playstations and Xboxes are turned off after service. Turn off the DVD players in your children’s ministry after using them. Have staff turn off their computers at the end of the day. These small habits can save your church thousands of dollars each year.

SECOND, PREVENT STANDBY POWER

There are ways to prevent standby power. In fact, here are five quick fixes.

1. Manually Unplug Devices
   It is so simple but too inconvenient for many.
2. Remote Control Sockets
   Turn off power outlets via remote control. This is an extremely useful option for hard to reach places.
3. Smart Power Strip
   When you turn your computer off (or another primary device), the power strip automatically turns off power to the other power strip sockets.
4. Timer Power Strip
   Since many church electronics are only used at specific times each week, why not get a power strip with a timer.
5. Buy Energy Star
   The best way to reduce energy consumption (standby or actual use) is to simply purchase more efficient products.

For Discussion:
- What are your energy saving tips for churches?

[via The New York Times]

Shawn Wood, the Experiences Pastor at Seacoast Church (Mt. Pleasant, SC), is releasing a book this September called 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One. It is a book about learning to recognize your skills and strengths and use them to honor God and impact the world. Shawn Wood was kind enough to answer a few questions and give us a sneak peek at this soon to be released book.

Kent Shaffer:
What is the central message of 200 Pomegranates?

Shawn Wood:
The message of 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One is an outpouring from my heart and can be distilled into just a few statements:

1. Get great at something.
2. Do something.
3. Make sure that something serves others.
4. Remember that it’s for an audience of one.

If we would run every decision, every action, and every goal through that filter, I think it could change the world. I can think back on every challenge I have had in life and it would be caused by letting one or more of those principles slide.

Kent Shaffer:
Who is this book written for?

Shawn Wood:
Every man, women, child, and dog. Sorry, cats are not predestined so there is no hope there. It really is written to anyone who wants to have meaning and influence in your life. As I wrote much of the book, I was imagining my wife and how she handles things as a Mom.

The book highlights the life of a Dentist, a working Mom of an Autistic child, a wonderful wife and home keeper, a Pastor, and a Welder to show that God can use the life of ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Everyone who has read the books has said, “man this book will be great for a _______________” and filled in the blank with a different noun. That was the book I was trying to write.

I also have read 80% of most books I own so I have attempted to write a book people would finish. It weighs in at a very readable 144 pages and should be finished!

Kent Shaffer:
What have you learned through writing this book?

Shawn Wood:
I have had a blast and learned a ton. Here is my top Ten:

• #10 :: Everyone wants to be an author…it’s hard to actually write a book.
• #9 :: I have some great friends. The amount of support in the blogosphere has been really cool.
• #8 :: You can write and entire book in Google Doc… I did.
• #7 :: A good editor is worth their weight in gold oil.
• #6 :: An entire message (as this book was birthed from) is only about 2500 words. The book is about 40,000.
• #5 :: Seeing your book on Amazon.com is really as cool as you would think.
• #4 :: Reading people’s endorsements can make your day!
• #3 :: I have had some pretty funny things happen to me as a result of my dumbness.
• #2 :: Telling peoples stories is the best way to communicate.
• #1 :: Learning that Kent Shaffer wants to host a blog tour will make you giggle like a little girl.

Kent Shaffer:
I am sure the “giggling” is an exaggeration.

To pre-order your copy of 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One, visit Amazon.com.