A variation on the exercise described yesterday is to have members of the session list the four top things they think the pastor expects from him or herself as s/he exercises ministry.The pastor(s) are also asked to identify the four top things that s/he expect of him or herself in ministry. Compile individual session lists onto one sheet, noting how there is considerable variation among the expectations of elders. Then place that along side the pastor’s list of his or her personal expectations.
Remember that what the list consist of is a comparison between what the session thinks the pastor thinks and what the pastor really thinks. An interesting way to gain perspective on this is to take one or two of the pastor’s expectations and multiply it by five. That is, what would the effect be on the congregation if the pastor was able to focus five times as much energy on that area. You could apply the same magnifying glass to any of the other assumptions that the session thought the pastor had.
A final step would be to ask each member to identify one gift that they think the pastor has which enables him or her to exercise his or her calling in this congregation. This allows the conversation to be both an affirmation of his or her ministry and a recognition of the spiritual connection.
