I have been discussing some of the changes our church has been experiencing. The first two changes we’ve discussed are Re-launch, and Big Impact offering.

Let’s talk about leadership today.

After several months of discussion we have adopted a set of bylaws that change the roles of several groups in our church. We shared these changes at our last Wednesday Night Live.

The three biggest changes outlined in our bylaws are:

• The role of pastor = the pastor is given full responsibility of and authority to lead the church. In other words, our church is led by the pastor. This is both a biblical and practical model.

Biblical: Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (Hebrews 13:17 NLT)

Practical: A pastor goes to school to learn about the church. He studies it, prays for it, thinks about it, talks about it, and is immersed in it daily. So why not let him lead it. Let him lead it based on the vision that God is giving him and the wise counsel that he receives from the leaders around him.  Which leads us to another change:

• The role of the board. The role of the board is to:

Advise and give consent to the final budget.

Make recommendations on issues of strategy.

Give wise counsel to the Lead Pastor on issues of life, leadership, and vision.

Because we have redefined the role of the board these leaders will no longer be called, “The Board.” Instead, they will be called the “Advisory Team” which reflects the role they will be filling as advisers.

• Finally, the third significant change made in the by-laws was made after much discussion which included denominational leadership. It has to do with membership. Section 4.04 of our bylaws reads:

As a part of the Membership Covenant, members will agree to a one-year membership covenant in which they will agree to:

Love God and others and be loved by God and others in a LIFE Group.

Invest themselves in something bigger than themselves through their regular giving and serving.

Focus on and live out biblical priorities.

Expand the influence of Jesus through regular involvement in world care opportunities.

Membership will be renewed annually at a membership class in which members will renew their membership covenant.

Why are we doing this? Why is membership now an annual agreement rather than a lifetime (or longer) agreement?

It provides an opportunity for every member to hear the vision and recommit to it every year.

It gives the presenter the opportunity to point out heroes in a room filled with new and potential members!

It makes membership a serious matter.