Pastor, You Have a Very Big Problem

"Pastor, you have a very big problem," He told me.

It was a Sunday, just after church, and I was sitting across the table from Dr. Samuel R. Chand, who I had invited to speak at my church for a Leadership Weekend. We had ordered just a few seconds before, but he didn't waste any time. He got right to business.

He told me, "Your church was overcrowded in both services. There's no room for you to grow. If you don't act quickly, I'm concerned you'll plateau, and then decline."

I nodded.

I had invited Dr. Chand into my life as a friend and mentor because I respected his opinion greatly. I was sure his advice was valuable, but I was also sure he didn't understand the complications that came with implementing it. I tried to explain.

I told him about our traditional service at 8:30 in the morning, and about how important that was. I told him we had a plan to add additional services in the next few months, and about how the new services would help our space problem.

Dr. Chand shook his head. "That will be too late," he said. "You need to do it in the next two weeks."

My face fell.

I want advice, but so often I'm not actually willing to take it. I want someone to help me, teach me, to show me the right way to go, but when it actually comes down to following their advice, I have a hard time receiving it.

I can think of a million reasons why it won't work.

Needless to say, Dr. Chand didn't take any of my excuses (he must have heard them before). He sat with me, quietly, and challenged me to think creatively about how we could make space for another service. We brainstormed together and the next day, with my leadership team, we made a commitment to do what it would take to move the traditional service to a new location, and add another service-in two weeks.

We invested $30,000 in equipment and turned the cafeteria into a wonderful environment for our traditional service. They loved the grand piano and the new organ! I was worried they might feel pushed aside, but our investment in their service made them feel valued.

The idea that they could make room for hundreds of lost people eased the pain of the change.

All the road blocks I thought were in the way, weren't actually there.

This is the importance of a mentor, I think - their ability to see things we can't. They see it at face value, without the same biases and mental blocks we have. They see the same situation from a different perspective.

They see things we would never see.

As I look back now and see how God grew our three services by 100 people and $5000 in offering, I can't help but hear Dr. Chand's words echoing in my mind. "Don't miss this window of opportunity, Pastor Scott... this is a key leadership moment."

What if every church planter could connect with a mentor like this?

What if every leader could be in contact with Rob Ketterling, John McKinzie, or Peter Haas on a regular basis? What if student leaders could have Jeanne Mayo or Scotty Gibbons pour into their lives?

Wouldn't that be amazing?

How great would it be if every church leader had access to Godly, competent coaches who were affordable for any budget, and personalized for the specific needs of the church?

When I think about the impact that Dr. Chand had on me and on my ministry, I wonder what I would have done without him. The emotions and struggles of leadership are so intense and complex that I wonder how anyone navigates the chaos alone.

I needed Dr. Chand to challenge me, admonish me, push me, advise me and even tell me I "had a big problem" I didn't know I had.

This is my vision behind MinistryCoach.tv - to meet the needs of pastors and leaders, not just by giving them a book or a conference, but by giving them access to experienced coaches who can consult with them on almost any issue.

To find out more about MinistryCoach.tv, click HERE.