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Challenging Ministry Issues

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Empowering the Next Generation

"When is it time to get out of the way and let the upcoming generation take over? I have been in this one church 30 years. Can I still be effective? Churches rarely have well-thought-through succession plans. By the time a pastor reaches his mid-50s, he needs to become an agent of change and 'build himself into' a younger man to step into his position as he retires. I would like to have some influence on the future ministry of my church."

Mark Brunott, senior pastor, First EFC, Lincoln, Neb., and member of EFCA board of directors

Missing Women Leaders

"Women make up greater than 50 percent of the world's population. Yet it is my perception that not enough is shared about EFCA women who are leading or helping to lead and develop ministries, making new inroads, or being champions in their churches, communities and the world's communities. This would heighten the EFCA 'all-people' awareness of people and talents we may not be currently engaging-or, worse, that we may be wasting. We'd also learn of fresh methods to engage and meet the needs of our female constituency."

Donna Jump, EFCA communications and branding administrator, EFCA national office, Minneapolis

Nourishing My Soul

"The truth is, most pastors and leaders (myself included), regardless of their area of ministry, would be embarrassed to disclose the details of their personal spiritual life. We are so programmed to be busy—and thinking we're most effective when busy—that silence and solitude feel lazy. This is an insightful comment [as I remember it] from Paul Faulkner: 'Trying to worship publicly if you're not a private worshipper is sort of like the dry heaves: trying to bring something up you don't have in you.' Nourishing my soul takes focused prayer; uninterrupted silence; rest; being in God's Word (beyond 'sermon preparation') and having it be in me; reading good, God-besotted books."

Jeff McCourt, pastor of worship music and celebration arts ministries, New Hope (Minn.) Church

Ministering to All Generations

"Our technology is changing so quickly and thus our delivery systems, so I worry that our seniors will feel left out or left behind. Currently, they are our most-informed and tuned-in group, responding to all the print publications and verbal announcements. But should we move more fully into Web site, e-mail, text-messaging, blogging, etc.-and stop printing-that will be a negative to them."

Jenni Key, director of communications, First EFC, Fullerton, Calif., and member of the EFCA board of directors

Worship Challenges

"With the ever-increasing selfishness of our culture, people today are seeking the worship experience that most pleases their tastes. We have forgotten that worship is an offering we give to God—a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to Him. While we strive to be culturally relevant, we must also be countercultural and worship together beyond the societal generation gaps. How can older men and women interact with and disciple younger men and women within the church if they do not associate with each other because they worship separately?"

Jeff Dahm, lay coordinator of worship ministries, Liberty EFC, Pella, Iowa