I had lunch yesterday along with my Sr. Pastor, Worship Pastor, and two guys [one of which an old friend of mine] from another organization to talk about “church marketing.” The conversation began along the traditional lines of marketing goals and advertising channels, etc. When the conversation shifted to ministry goals, missional awareness, personal evangelism, service evangelism (as being as important, if not more important) … I got to hear my pastors speak in a rare moment of vulnerability.

They admitted their cluelessness. I even heard an admission that the Sr. “Bus Driver” didn’t even know where he was driving the bus … Didn’t have clearly defined, focused, purpose-driven goals for the church. Of course, there is no plan [road map] for getting there from here.

Ironically, I was strangely peaceful, and felt empowered, despite realizing that these guys are virtually clueless as to the value of someone like me … already on staff among them to help creatively communicate the vision [were there one to start with].

A high vs. low standard of “excellence” is not my problem here. My problems stem from holistic cluelessness from the top down. I’m merely asked to take whatever crap gets half-a** thrown together at the last minute … and make it look pretty. I fear many/most of us are in the same boat.

Regardless, I’m praying for all of us. Godspeed.

Helping the Church matter …

Surround yourself with people that laugh with you and make you laugh, people that speak encouragement, people who don’t enjoy being negative and look towards the positive.

To answer your question:
My challenges:
-Sr. Pastor consistently undermines any limited authority I’m given.
-The communications budget is really, REALLY limited for what is required of it/me.
-I am paid to work 20 hours per week, I consistently pull 35, and lately have been working 60. However, I am holding another PT job to make ends meet, so I can’t continue giving my time away.

How I deal:
-Prayer and diving into the Word.
-Laughing. Laughing. Laughing. I have to. Luckily, I have people I can do that with.
-Regular communication with staff when they do things wrong (and right).
-Celebrating victories and holding up examples of why good design and communication are important (maybe an email from a visitor, something like that).
-Relying on my husband to talk me off a ledge every once-and-a-while.