I’m a lifetime baseball fan who collected the cards as a kid, read every box score as a teen, and now utilizes various websites and phone apps to stay connected. The methods have changed, but the passion has remained – even when my favorite teams or players aren’t doing well.
Every baseball player has endured a slump and most hitting coaches agree, it has a lot to do with confidence. The slump ends when fly balls begin to drop for base hits, strikeouts diminish and home run power returns. Soon, the player begins to once again confidently strut to the plate. You might say, “He got his swag back”.
Every pastor, and thus church, goes through a slump. It would be great to say each year is stellar, but the truth is some seasons are fruitful and some are dry. It’s obviously a lot more fun to be in the fruitful season, but we all know that God has a way of doing a great work during all times. I honestly believe God uses the slumps to bring me to the place of prayer, evaluation, and consequent action.
If I want church swag, I need to connect with others that can teach and encourage me about the processes and organization needed to grow my ministry. I need coaches that can help me understand the changing landscape of my mission field. I need to know that I am recruiting, training, and organizing teams of people in the right ways and right areas so that I’m working both hard and smart.
If I want leadership swag, I need to be confident of where I’m headed and where I want the church to go. I need to be a man of long-term vision, short-term direction, and immediate action. I want to have a godly wisdom that is required to lead multiple groups of people by building consensus around common purposes.
Finally, if I want personal swag, I need to connect with God in deeper and more intimate ways. I want to know that when I stand before my congregation, I’ve got something to say that has taken root in my heart and soul. I want to preach with a confidence and heavenly power that can only come through a true connection with God.
I’m excited to know that the BBFI is becoming more intentional about helping pastors regain their swag. Our fellowship meetings are addressing pastoral ministry and leadership issues. Our Communication Office is providing tools through print and electronic media that will benefit every pastor. Additionally, in recent years, we have seen what is now a growing number of churches, surge forward in ways that are exciting and reproducible.
Breaking out of a slump is often an arduous process. It requires lots of patience, evaluation, determination, and courage. But with eternity in the balance, and with the return of our King so close, running back to the safety of the dugout is not an option. Swing away!