Two issues ago was 200 and I took the privilege of answering some of the questions I get asked by readers, inquirers, press reps and bloggers.
Here is the second installment.
Do you know some million-dollar pastors?
Sure. Plenty. But I guess that is how you define it.
First, remember that I work primarily with pastors in larger churches and in the last third of their tenure as Senior Pastor. Most of my clients are looking toward the next season when they step down from their current roles.
And many will have well-cared-for retirement savings accounts, home equity, emergency accounts, and other savings that can easily top 1 million dollars.
I label this as “freedom to serve” money more than leisure retirement money. Having a good amount in savings allows a good pastor to serve in various ways AFTER stepping down as a lead pastor.
How have they done this:
They save in a retirement account with every paycheck. They started this discipline early. If their church has matching retirement systems, they take full advantage.
They live below their means. Most give generously to their church, save for future needs, spend on their family’s current needs, and still have small surpluses. They drive modest automobiles and live in modest houses.
Many have been well advised on their investments. There are people in most churches that will help their pastor in this way. Some have financial advisors as well that help them arrange their compensation to include future planning.
While it is true that some pastors have some family situations and other hardships that have prevented them from wealth building, most do not.
Now if the question is: Do you know pastors that are paid a million dollars a year? I don’t think I have ever worked with any.
Most of my client pastors were paid decently, but not exorbitantly, especially compared with their counterparts.
We have a per capita giving each week of over $30 per person in attendance. Don’t you think we are a generous church?
The true answer: I don’t know. The second answer: I doubt it.
Many people will tell me about their church’s giving and describe it by taking the total income per week average and dividing it by the weekly attendance average.
I think that is the wrong way to do it.
As most readers know, if you look below the surface data, you will find some large givers, some regular givers, and many people who give bupkus.
Sometimes, you see eye-popping financial numbers in well-established neighborhoods where people have settled, have no home mortgages, and work in highly-paid professions.
Even then, look below the waterline to see what is really going on.
I have been in working-class communities where I felt giving was great as well because people gave regularly and sacrificially to multiple causes the church supported.
I will say – Generosity is taught, caught, and inspired. Leaders lead in this area.
One of my co-authors, Bill Easum, said once: No one reaches spiritual maturity until they master their money instead of it mastering them. I think that is well said.
If you need any help with your analysis, one of my Generis colleagues can help you. Just let me know.
What is the true failure rate of Senior Pastor Succession?
I have read some alarming statistics. Some claim as high as 70%.
My experience has been much different.
Admittedly, I work with a slice of larger churches led by long-term leaders who do great planning to ensure success.
Of the 67 churches I have served directly in this area under contract, 1 had a less-than-preferred outcome. OK, honestly, it was a disaster. But they really would not take my counsel in most ways.
The track record of family-owned and public companies has a much higher failure rate.
So, when someone in your church says: “We did this in my company, and I think I know how we should do this.” Keep an open mind, but realize there are differences.
I think the critical issue with all this conversation is the lack of clarity in what success looks like three years after a handoff. That has to be made clear to the board, the staff team, the congregation, and, in some cases, the former leader.
That looks different at each place.
So, you have to define success and failure, then measure later.
Why should we hire a consultant? Can’t we do this ourselves? (When it comes to Senior Pastor Succession)
I am going to take myself out of the question here and assume the church wants to hire any consultant to help them.
I will never forget a phone call with a Senior Pastor who led a church from very small to very large over a 25-year season. When I asked him some of his secrets about longevity and growth over time, he quickly responded: “Whenever we faced a crossroads, we hired a consultant to help us.”
His summary reasoning:
● We only know what we know and are head down and focused on day-to-day.
● An experienced consultant has seen more examples and usually has good tools to help us make wise decisions. They can often tell us what other similar churches have done in similar situations.
● We found it cheaper in the long-term to have someone guide us to a good decision instead of ready, fire, aim. Every time.
● While we can have our team and volunteers read a book, we know they will get it more straight from the horse's mouth.
At least he called me the horse’s mouth, not the other end.
One more after the ad…
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One last crazy question…
We had a consultant tell us we needed a new sign. Do we really need to do that?
Are you sure that wasn’t a sign salesman?
The church desired to grow by adding more people.
The question concerned an outside sign the church currently had. The consultant suggested a taller, video-light-driven display to grab the driver’s attention and encourage them to visit on Sunday.
I have seen fancy church signs and plain, sculpted signs at church outside locations. I think you need something to tell outsiders “This is the place.” So, I am not against a sign.
In some communities, ordinances prohibit certain types of signage regarding illumination and size. Many of those churches do just fine.
I don’t think a fancy sign leads to additional growth.
Good wayfinding inside is important, but it is less expensive. It needs to be thought through, but it is more readily accomplished.
The best signs are your current attendees who invite others to join them on a weekend or in a small group or a service project.
I am not opposed to a fancy sign, but I have observed churches wrestle through design, permitting, cost, and construction and then have to figure out what gets announced on the sign each week. Feels like some wasted energy to me.
But if your site is way off the main drag and hard to find anyway, a sign could help.