Friday, April 23, 2010

100 Day campaign

I am embarking on my second 100 day campaign here at the Macedonia Church. The term " One Hundred Days" can conjure up many images in the mind. Some might think of the Napoleonic Wars while others may think of the beginning of an administration within the political arena.

It is this latter idea that I gleaned the concept of "My One Hundred Day Campaign". A new administration within the first hundred days of taking the office uses this time for a variety of reasons: selection of officers, leaders and workers; implementing new strategies and laying the foundation for your administration; formation of vision casting goals, ideas and opportunities, as well as building inroads into grass roots members and leaders within the field of service.

I use this 100 day campaign at Macedonia as a time to personally meet with any and all members of the church. I am amazed at how many church members have never had a meeting with their pastor, and if they have had a meeting it was because of either a personal tragedy or an error that the pastor was correcting. I believe you shouldn't wait until an emergency or crisis hits in your life to talk to you pastor.

I am also amazed by, how many people swear they know the pastor; knows what he thinks, knows what he means; knows where he is going but has never taken the time to talk to him. You can't know me without spending time with me. You may learn the public persona of the Pastor, you may learn the vision as he preaches from God's Word but a relationship can not be ascertained without a connection.

Every member of the church should have a relationship with your pastor; therefore, I use this time to meet will all members, prospective members, family members, disgruntled members, former members, audience members who have not enlisted in the army as of yet, in an attempt to personally connect with each and every one of them.

I have had meetings where people told me they didn't trust me, I was too good to be true, "just faking and the real Owens will come out", Pastor you share too much, can you be less honest or not so much you", but in all of this, God is building a Pastor and a People.

Let me confess two things. One, I don't like talking to members after church on Sunday. I love the members and I love sharing but more times than not, I am replaying my sermon in my head; frustrated about what I didn't say or what I should have said, and so I not always "there", in the sense of warm, engaging, instant on, all the things members like you to be.

Secondly, it is hard to form a bond with a pastor from a couple of minutes of conversation after church with a line of people behind you and everyone in your business trying to see what you are saying and how you are saying it.

So, I have kicked off my second 100 Day Campaign here at Macedonia. We started April 18th so hopefully by the last week in July, I will have met with everyone who wants to meet with me. Open Forum! Fire Away! I will share my vision as a Pastor and work with each member to form a spiritual plan for their life as outlined my THE PLAN, which is THE WORD OF GOD.

During this time, we plan on preaching primarily out of the book of Nehemiah. I am proud to say this week we had the honor of meeting with twenty-seven (27) members for 45 minute to hour and an half sessions that have been helpful to me as a pastor. The suggestions that I have received are so simple and yet so life changing it is amazing. After the first 100 day campaign, three new ministries were birthed into existence and better bridges were built for ministry.

We eagerly anticipate what God will do through this 100 day campaign and we will update you weekly on the things I am learning and what God is doing.

Owens

3 comments:

Ronald said...

Pastor Owens, you inspire me.

Ron

Pastor Lance A. Mann said...

Ray Owens,

This is a great idea man. God be praised for your leadership.

Lance

Rev. Barney said...

I know it will be a blessing to you and the people. I have always believed that the pastor should personally touch bases with the people. I call every member of our church at least once a week.

I agree we should get to know the people in more ways than funerals, frustration and fault findings. This will truly bless your ministry my brother. Let them see your heart. I will pray for you and the People.