6 Things Church Leaders Should Do—Even Though They're Told Not To

Orson Welles is one of the most influential Hollywood directors of all time.  Some of his famous groundbreaking films are Citizen Kane, Othello, and A Touch of Evil.  In the December/January issue of Fast Company magazine, Martin Scorsese tells of Welles advising his cinemaphotographer Gregg Toland, “Let’s do everything they told us never to do.”  The rest is cinematic history.

Reading Welles’ thoughts made me think of how we operate as Christian leaders.  Are there things we are taught, traditions, practices, that are either completely unbiblical or simply just do not work anymore?

What I am going to submit to you is both some approaches to leadership as well as programming that I think 5 years from now we may wonder why we ever did it that way.  Remember, none of these thoughts will be popular now because we’re told this is not the way to do it.  However, things are always evolving, and I think these could be some of changes we see in the future.  As you’re reading this list, remember the days of Monday night visitation, bus ministries, and tent revivals.

1. Return Small Groups to Sunday Mornings

When Bill Hybels and Rick Warren admit that small groups in their current format are simply not effective on a mass scale, it will give the rest of us permission to also admit what we already know – that small groups are not effective.  This deserves its own post, but I have had pastors privately tell me they don’t even enjoy small groups because they can’t be transparent, and they always wind up being the teacher.  In addition, the childcare issue has never been solved.  Also, decentralized discipleship and a lack of excellence are constants.  Now I know, I am going to have some Christian leaders passionately tell me how effective their church’s small groups are.  And in certain pockets, that may be true.  But looking on a national scale, my estimates are that in more than 80% of the churches, only 10% of their small groups are prevailing.  The answer is on-campus small groups.

2. Target Men

If a child comes to Christ first, there is a 6% chance the entire family will.  If a wife/mother comes to Christ first, there is an 18% chance the entire family will.  If the husband/father comes to Christ first, there is a 94% chance the entire family will.  Statistically, why would you target any other demographic than adult men!  So remove the flower arrangement from your lobby and put in a Harley.  Make your music loud and with power.

More from ChurchLeaders.com: 6 Warning Signs of Leadership Failure

3. Target Young People

Only 4% of Generation Y (the technology generation) is actively attending church.  The church should feel like Starbuck’s.  Texting, Direct Messaging, and Facebook should be integrated into each service.  Serving the poor and under-resourced should be a primary focus.  And the music should be highly participatory and energetic.  If not, in 20 years American Christianity could look and feel like Europe.

4. Women in Senior Leadership

Even if your stream of faith states women cannot be pastors or elders, they should still have significant places of influence where their giftedness can be leveraged and insights applied.  Women have a viewpoint and understanding of the human experience that is unmatched.   

5. Don’t Make Leadership So Difficult

Many Christian leaders are more interested in control than releasing people.  I think the most skilled leaders in the 2nd half of this decade will be those who can remove barriers and take people where they already want to go.  The best leaders will be architects of passion and purpose and help people do the things that God would have them do if nothing was in the way.

6. Church Membership Becomes Less and Less Important

If a person gives their time and financial resources faithfully to your church, what more do you want from them?  Other than church discipline which few practice, what’s the real benefit?

Leaders, you are free to disagree with my thoughts.  That is certainly fine and acceptable, and I understand why you would.  But I would like to have a high-level conversation.  Whether you agree or disagree, I would like you to present some ideas of programming and approach that you think will be changing.  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I hold this post with an open hand.  I could easily be wrong.  But there will be major shifts and changes over the next 5 years.  As I stated, I’m interested to hear where you think things are headed. 

Brian Dodd is a church stewardship & leadership consultant. See www.briandoddonleadership.com for additional insights.

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