By Sam Rainer
Shepherding a church comes with plenty of highs and lows. Some days feel like a roller-coaster ride right after eating two pounds of funnel cake. But leading a church isn’t just peaks and valleys. Plateaus exist. Plateaus can last for a long season. In fact, plateaus are more common for most leaders. The highs and lows are simply more memorable—they stand out more. We talk more about them.
These plateaus are not necessarily connected to the leader’s emotional state. These plateaus are not necessarily connected to the (spiritual or numerical) growth and decline of a church, though average attendance Sundays often elicit a “meh” type of response.
By plateau, I am referring to the tone of an entire congregation. While the church leader’s attitude will inevitably filter into the church with time, sometimes the attitude of the church hits pause. No church can sustain peak passion. No church should perpetually stumble in the valley. And most every church—rightly or wrongly—will experience a string of typical weeks, if not months. The collective sentiment of the church can stall between a high and low. And the people of the church may feel as if they’ve paused emotionally. What are some things leaders can do while leading on the plateau?
Avoid complacency and anticipate transformation. I took an epic road trip with some buddies a few years ago. We drove to the Grand Canyon to hike the backcountry. To get there, we traveled through West Texas. It’s a long stretch of treeless, flat land. It’s beautiful but repetitive. The road can lull you into complacency. The way to drive it is to anticipate a change of scenery. The flatness seems to collapse on an infinite horizon. But you know the road will eventually transform to a new landscape. Church leaders can inspire the congregation on an emotional plateau with a sense of anticipation of what God will do next. Even if it’s not readily apparent, the anticipation of what’s beyond the horizon can get people excited.
Take delight in small victories. When big things happen, small victories get lost. When you’re leading people on a plateau, however, the small victories are fresh reminders of God continuing to work.
Stop, listen, and learn. Plateaus are pleasantly flat. It makes it easier to listen and learn when you’re not dreading the valley or losing your breath ascending the peak. In fact, your learning curve can be steepest on the plateau. As a leader, enjoy the predictable path of the plateau and use the opportunity to stop, listen, and learn.
Every church has a tone, a collective sentiment. Your congregation will feel things together. When the church’s feelings pause between a high and low, you can find yourself leading on a plateau. It won’t last. Use the time wisely, take note of the small victories, and lead your congregation to anticipate transformation.
Posted on February 5, 2020
As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
More from Sam
4 Comments
One of the things I’ve learned in pastoral leadership is that the peaks and valleys are most taxing on your leadership equity. Those plateaus are important because if you use them wisely you replenish lost leadership equity. People tire of constant change, good or bad. Sometimes sheep need a level green field, not a climb or a descent. But even then it is a season. The plateau is a pleasant place, but not a permanent place. You have to know your season.
Thanks for the post.
Great! Our church is over 25 years, it’s like nothing is happening. I’ll thank God for the little things.
A great reminder and an insight that I’ve not had before.
Thanks!
Great article. Thanks for writing!