Articles for tag: Ken Swatman

December 30, 2010

Regrafting: A Matter of Motivation

Ken Swatman “Dying on the vine,” it seems to be the new catchphrase among leaders of struggling churches. Often I hear from these ministers and leaders that they do not want to “die on the vine.” Here are some key issues/questions that need to be addressed in order for a church to grow. I do not believe churches just die on the vine. Branches of a vine die because they are either diseased, malformed, infested with parasites, or somehow choked off from their source of nutrition and health. This is also true for churches. Churches wither and die because of

May 16, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership

Leading People Toward Redemption and Restoration (Part 1)

By Ken Swatman As ministers and church leaders, we see sin every day in our communities, congregations, families, and in ourselves. We are called by God to recognize sin, confront it, and bring it into the light of Jesus. We are no more on the front line of sin”s personal battle than anyone else, but as servant-leaders in Christ”s body, we often must assume the roles of confrontational authority and navigator of the deep waters of redemption, repentance, and restoration. In this three-part series, I will look at some practical issues we face as we lead people down this path.

May 16, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership

The Credibility Factor

By Ken Swatman Read the main article, “Leading People Toward Redemption and Restoration (Part 1),” by Ken Swatman Although we may bristle at the idea, pastors are seen as leaders and given the positional authority of leadership in most local churches. We may attach “servant” or “visionary” to our pastoral titles to lessen the authoritative stigma and add an air of humility, but it doesn”t change the fact that, as pastors, we are biblically, socially, and spiritually in a position of leadership. As pastors, we are called by God and our congregations to shepherd, feed, and protect the flock, and

March 21, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Staff

Ask Yourself Some Questions Before You Fire

By Ken Swatman It was Monday morning and I sat at my desk feeling tired and frustrated, trying to decide if it was time for a staff change in a key position. I had been over the issues again and again in my mind, Did the staff member just not understand his leadership role or ministry expectations, or did he not have the skills necessary to be effective in his ministry position? I knew we weren”t getting what we needed and something had to change, but was firing him the right answer? As pastors and church leaders, we never want

February 7, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership

How One Minister Survived a Building Program

By Ken Swatman Just the thought of building and relocating to a new facility can strike fear into the heart of the most experienced and energetic of pastors, and it was no different for me. As the new senior pastor of a struggling 80-year-old congregation, I was faced with the challenge of relocate or perish. Our building was too small for even our 115-member congregation. There were too many stairs, not enough bathrooms, and a bottom floor that looked more like a dungeon than a children”s ministry center. Add to that the curb appeal of a 1950s institution and you