JOSHUA GENERATION WORLDWIDE MINISTRIES, INC.

SWS Topic February 5, 2017

Motivate Through Relationship

Tommy Barnett
I. INTRODUCTION
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by
constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being
lords over Gods heritage, but being examples to the flock (1 Peter 5:2).

II. BODY
I am often asked the question, You seem to have a very close relationship with your congregation. How
can you be so close to so many people? I do not understand fully how this intimate relationship happens, but I
personally feel that every person I meet is special, unique and a miracle. I genuinely love the people in our
congregation. I do know that if the relationship is not right between pastor and people, then a church will never be
motivated to win souls and serve Jesus Christ.
How does a right relationship of intimacy between pastor and people become a reality? I do not have all
the answers, but here are some ideas that have worked in our congregation. I believe the pastor sets the stage
for such a relationship, So to pastors I would say :

1. Express your love openly. After I preach on Sundays, I stand at the door and shake hands with and hug
everyone that I can. I love them, brag on them and encourage them.

2. Listen to your critics. You dont have to do all that your critics suggest, but do listen to them.

3. Do not strike the second blow. Refuse to retaliate. I have noticed in football game's that the one who strikes
second often gets penalized even though he didnt start the conflict.

4. Be quick to apologize. I try, and sometimes I fail. So I have learned how to apologize for my mistakes.

5. Never show your anger publicly. The Bible advises us in Ephesians 4:26, Be ye angry, and sin not. Publicly
berating someone never heals and always hurts.

6. Reward faithfulness openly. Affirm others. Honor and thank God publicly for what others do in ministry.

7. Give others credit and accept none. Of course, we never accept any of Gods glory. But it is appropriate to
honor others when they have worked hard, faithfully serving the Lord. Every Sunday I like to recognize the
nursery workers. They deserve great credit for the ministry they do which allows parents to worship God and be
involved in ministry.

8. Heal the hurt when someone is wounded. I never take Monday off because it is the day I gather up all the
hurts that may have been caused on Sunday and seek to heal them.

9. Walk slowly through the crowd. Years ago I caught myself shaking hands with one person while looking past
that person to the next in an earnest attempt to see everyone. As a result, I missed giving my attention to the one
right in front of me. Now I give each person I encounter my attention and look them in the eye.

10. Let others save face. A businessman once said to me, Sometimes a relationship is more important than
being right. A relationship is more important than being right, winning an argument or proving a point.

11. Always befriend the little person. Those that seem insignificant and unimportant be their friend.

12. Make all the friends you can on the way up because you may need them on the way down. When you
are in a position to give, do so. There will come a day when you need to receive, and those that have received
from you in the past will minister to your need.
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13. Keep all the cards on the table. When people know that you are transparent, they will trust you. Remember,
you have nothing to fear, nothing to hide and nothing to lose. The love of Christ has conquered your fear. When
you confess your sins, you come clean and are forgiven. And since you have lost your life in Christ and know that
everything belongs to him, no one can take anything from you.

14. Lead by example. Paul said to follow his example. If chairs need to be put up after a service, be right in the
middle helping your people.

15. Be predictable. Let your people know what to expect of you. Dont preach on money when youve told your
people to bring the unsaved. Keep a schedule so people know where you are and how to contact you.

16. Believe in people. Expect that your people will do something great for God.

17. Be transparent and vulnerable. Let people know that you are human and have real feelings and a real life.

18. Have a certain mystique about you. People do not need to know and understand everything about you.
Mystique happens when a pastor spends time alone with God, getting to know His will and hearing His voice.

19. Be able to identify with your people. Understand what your people are going through and the demands
upon their lives.

III. CONCLUSION

A leader must be able to relate to his people, to love them and to care for them. Love covers a multitude of
sins especially in a pastors life. Amen.

An intimate relationship with the pastor motivates a church.

Ask yourself:
As a pastor, am I building an intimate relationship with my people? As a lay person, do I have a caring and
loving relationship with my pastor?

Which of the qualities listed needs to be worked on the most in my church?

Pray...
- for the pastor and people in your congregation to develop a loving, caring relationship.