handling explosive church growth

Before our move to Stoke on Trent.

Before Bethel City Church.

Before now.

Much of what I thought and taught on growth, expansion, leadership and people was, now I know, to be totally theoretical.

This last nine months has taught me an immense amount about what we pray for. There was much of me that wanted to lead church through progressive advancement and now realise what that actually means.

It might seem a ‘nothing’ to you but to see a church totally, revolutionary repurposed and then experience growth of such a rapid rate from around 50 to 300 in 9 short months is pretty mind blowing.

After harmonising leadership, identifying and dealing with disease in the House and communicating the ‘what is now’ culture of Bethel City Church, we quickly set repositioning ministry capability ie. Kids Church, Music.

Next was to ensure strong administrative and financial capabilities.

We spent alot of time analysing and listening as to understand the definition of pastoring the house. We are now in the process of building a great pastoral structure into Bethel City Church.

All of this is happening as we continue to grow numerically and influentially.

Now we are realising that we need the ability to manage far more that previously realised. It was always understood that ‘leadership’ were the essential key – it is. However, leadership without phenomenal management can end up in dire straits.

Our implementation of management will enable us to push through to the next stage in the story of Bethel City Church.

I am most definitely not the same person in thought, word or action as in September 07.

I love serving Jesus now more than ever!

It can be described as building a house, at the same time putting the scaffolding up, at the same time putting the electrics in , just as people are moving in and plugging the TV in to see what is on Cbeebies. With the addition of they have just invited their street round for tea!

The growth is immense.

We ensure it is healthy growth and then simply follow Jesus’ lead.

Simple really.

It is an awesome experience to see Jesus building His house.

Bethel City Church is truly and awesome place (Genesis twentyeight)

What a privilege.

What a learning curve

Choosing Staff

This last week has been one of focus on staffing and financial issues.

It has been tremendous to see the blessing of God on Bethel City Church bringing the obvious increased work load and ministry opportunity.

This brings the demand for volunteer expansion and increase in staffing levels.

Due to my erratic nature, it has been decided that I need managing. We are looking for a Personal Assistant for myself who will have shared duties of Administrative aide to Becky.

That’s the easy bit.

The difficult bit is putting the finance in place and then discovering this amazingly gifted and anointed person that will have the confidence and strength to manage me!

I recognise that my working practice is very ‘different’. People are convinced that I have OCD or at best an attentive disorder.

I believe we will find our new staff member shortly.

Please pray for them!