Here's why you can call yourself a "change agent" in ministry

Bud Brown July 5, 2022

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What would you say is the essence of pastoral ministry? That's a question that stumps most people.

We have cut the term off from its biblical roots. It's become malleable, a word into which we pour our own definitions.

A quick Internet search reflects the ambiguity on secular and Christian sites. Most define "pastor" as an office ("in charge of a church"), a religious functionary ("one who conducts church services") or a therapist ("gives advice and counsel"). They miss the fact that pastors are change agents.

Let me offer one reason you must add "change agent" into your self-perception and mindset about your ministry.

The Bible defines pastors as change agents

Jesus has something specific he's looking for from the pastors he gives to his churches. It is defined in the clause, "for the equipping of the saints." "For" expresses purpose and implies movement toward an aim. "Equipping" in Bible times referred to providing that which is missing or fixing that which is broken. So, whatever "equipping" is, it results in change in churches and in people's lives.

So, Jesus gives pastors to his churches to bring about growth, which requires change. When we're on task, believers in our care should grow in Christlike maturity, and the church should produce disciples who spread the gospel in their world.

We are change agents. And he holds us accountable for results.

Solution

How do we step into the role of change agents?

We start by changing the numbers we track. Adopt metrics that show how well we prepare our churches to recognize, adapt to, and minister effectively amid swirling societal changes.

Here are a few questions that may help you develop your own metrics to discern your effectiveness as a change agent.

• "Are people trained and equipped to serve more effectively because of my service?"
• "Is my church nimble in responding to new opportunities presented by societal changes?"
• "Have I fixed or eliminated ineffective systems, ministries, and programs?"
• "Is my church moving toward greater fulfillment of the mission?"

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Bud Brown is an experienced ministry leader, writer and educator. He is co-founder of Turnaround Pastors and co-author of the ground-breaking Pastor Unique: Becoming A Turnaround Leader. He brings special expertise to change leadership in the local church, mentoring pastors to become revitalization leaders, training churches how to find and recruit the best talent, and training leadership teams how to achieve their shared goals. Learn More »

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