How Do I Get my Pastor to Change?

Often when I speak or meet with youth workers and parents to discuss our research at FYI, they quickly buy into the changes that our research suggests, like moving more toward intergenerational ministry and moving from service to deeper justice.  But then they ask me, “How can I get my pastor to buy in?”

In Think Orange, Reggie Joiner gives a good answer to this question, since he is apparently also asked this question on a regular basis.  He says it boils down to the difference between principles and programs.

Most leaders trying to bring about change make the mistake of trying to get people to buy into programs.  Instead, leaders should begin by getting folks to embrace principles, which are more big picture and harder to dispute.  Some of these principles that Reggie finds pastors embracing are:

• No one has more potential to influence a child’s relationship with God than a parent.
• No one has more potential to influence a parent than the church.
• The church’s potential to influence a child dramatically increases when it partners with a parent.
• The parent’s potential to influence a child dramatically increases when that parent partners with the church.

So start with these principles, or other principles that reflect the deep change you’re trying to bring about.  Let the programs flow from these principles organically once folks have bought into the principles.

I’m going to start giving that answer now also.  Thanks, Reggie!

©2009 Fuller Youth Institute