Alone?

Pastors, especially “solo pastors,” are familiar with the word and practice of “alone.”  Yet there are few things that are less consistent with the gospel, and few things, if changed, can affect a greater positive benefit immediately than to repent of the practice of alone.

What is this guy talking about?  Pastors often function as lone rangers.  We go to conferences, meetings, seminars, hospitals, pastoral visits…we have been trained to do it alone, even convinced there is no way else to do it.  But to reiterate, this is questionable biblical practice. Howeve a change of one’s pattern of behavior can begin to pay immediate benefits to enhance the development of leaders in a local congregation.

Biblical?  More than likely, if you are familiar with the Acts 16:5 Initiative materials and the efforts of Vital Churches Institute, you’ve heard of the “with me” principle.  Just a few illustrations:

“For he and all who were with him [Jesus] were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken…”--Luke 5:9 NRSV

“ Soon afterwards [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him…”—Luke 8:1

“Only Luke is with me [Paul]. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry.”—2 Timothy 4:11

As a rule Jesus, and certainly the Apostle Paul, did very few things alone.  They had people with them, and they were intentional about it.  Yet for many pastors, this requires a significant change in our modus operandi.  Yes, it requires some planning, but mostly it requires a deliberate intentionality as in, “I will no longer go it alone.  I will plan and be intentional about having people with me.”  After all, it’s biblical.

But, here’s the bonus, imagine going to a training event, a leadership event, and you have one or more people along with you; they witness the same content that you hear, and it inspires them, motivates them to get on with it.  You did nothing but have them “with you,” but in doing so, you have convinced them, “sold them.”  You become a leadership genius.

All it takes is your resolve to repent of the lone ranger mentality, and increasingly commit to go throughout your ministry life “with.”  We know it; we know the “with me” principle.  No leadership in “alone.”  So today, start doing it “with.”

Joyfully - Dale Patterson