First United Methodist Church – Altus, Oklahoma
This is part of a series of interviews with pastors of churches whose attendance has grown 20% or more in 5 years. We hope this series will be a resource of ideas to help increase worship attendance at your church.
“Success” has resulted from prayer
Our society in particular is sharply focused upon and enamored with success. In ministry, attendance is one of the chief indicators we look at in order to measure “success” and/or effectiveness. Like most pastors, I love to see a full sanctuary of worshippers or a crowded classroom of Christian disciples. At my best, I live gratefully as Christ’s servant; want to see persons discover Christ, connect to Christ, become intimate with Christ, and commit to be on mission with Christ. At worst I want recognition, rewards, and accolades for being successful in my career as a pastor. I confess this struggle today, because I believe our preoccupation with attendance can be a two edged sword helping or hurting our effectiveness and spiritual vitality.
As the senior pastor (servant) I am humbled, delighted, and most grateful to report that First United Methodist Church in Altus, Oklahoma has experienced a slow and steady growth in attendance over the past five years. I must be quick to recognize God’s pivotal role in this and the inspiring contribution of dozens of lay leaders. I am fully persuaded that growth is God’s idea, longing, commitment, and accomplishment. I am reminded of Paul’s reflection on this subject recorded in 1 Corinthians 3:6–7 (The Message) “I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow. It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow.” I do acknowledge however that effective leadership by individuals that are called, equipped, intimate with God, and committed to God’s Kingdom is an important piece of the “success” of ministry. It is my hope and prayer that through yielding myself to God and His call, I have been used as Gods’ instrument in some small way in accomplishing God’s will here in Altus, even as it is in heaven.
As I reflect over the past five years of ministry, the recurring theme or recipe for “success” has been prayer. Two months before arriving I was informed of the potential, pain, and challenges of leading Altus FUMC. I was filled with mixed thoughts and emotions. Leaving the congregation and community in Mannford, where I had served for almost seven years, filled my heart with grief. Facing the challenge of unresolved conflict in Altus FUMC troubled me deeply. The opportunity to meet new people and serve as God’s instrument excited me. I immediately started praying about what I was dealing with and facing in the future. I distinctly remember asking God daily for favor and the ability to love and serve His people. One of my associates, Deb Teagan, jokingly remarked a few months ago that I am “an acquired taste.” No one has verbalized this thought before, but I believe she is accurate and insightful in this assessment. I know this truth about myself and I wrestled with God about leading the church in Altus. Can I be effective? Will the congregation accept my passion, openness, and outgoing personality? Will I be able to lead a hurting, comfortable church to healing, devotion, and radical effectiveness for Christ? All I knew to do was ask God for favor and the ability to love and serve His people.
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