Derek is the kind of guy you like to be
around.
He has a contagious laugh. He has a
personality that draws people to him.
And he is a pretty good leader.
He is also the pastor of Redeemer
Church, a congregation of about
250 in the Midwest. Derek had been
a pastor for 23 years, so he was no
novice in leading churches. He had
been at Redeemer Church for eight of
those years, and he was respected and
well liked by almost everyone in the
congregation.
Derek understood the issue of change
in established churches. As a leader, he
was both methodical and incremental
in his style. His approach to church
leadership contributed significantly
to his longer tenure in the church and
in ministry in general. He did not fear
conflict, but he felt too many church
leaders create unnecessary conflict.
As pastor, Derek noticed a changed in
his own ministry. His sermons were
becoming more conversational in their
approach and tone. He had not made
that move as any grand strategic
plan, but it was certainly a noticeable
change from his style several years
ago.
Derek surmised that the increased
number of Millennials in the church had
influenced his approach to preaching.
These young adults included
professionals in a growing technology
company in the community, and others
of them were coming from a nearby
university.
It was obvious the Millennials
preferred the conversational style of
preaching. The most positive feedback
to his sermons came when he shifted
to the more informal approach. He
was therefore certain his change in
preaching style was a direct result of
the increasing number of young adults
in the church.
The pastor had also noticed the
older congregants embracing his
changing preaching style. He knew
they were okay because his changes
were incremental. He would preach
a conversational message on one
Sunday, and then go six weeks with his
more formal and traditional approach.
He slowly added the informal approach
with greater frequency until the
congregation became accustomed to
it and comfortable with it.
Life and ministry were good for Derek.
He could see staying at Redeemer
Church for the rest of his ministry. He
was so thankful that he had the total
and unequivocal support of the church
members.
At least he thought he did.
D e re k h a d b e c o m e i n c re a s i n g l y
uncomfortable with the pulpit he had
used for all eight years at Redeemer
Church. It had served him well when
he was preaching more formally from
a manuscript. But now he liked to get
closer to the congregants. He saw the
pulpit as a massive wooden barrier.
It did not complement his newer
preaching style. The pulpit, in his mind,
cried out “traditional” and “formal” and
“barrier.”
Solutions • 37