1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?  If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay?  If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave? Absolutely staying. We just hired our new pastor and his vision is to break the mold of what our church has always been. He has a proven track record and is ready to kick the devil’s butt.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back? Yes. We will be hiring a children’s pastor and a worship pastor.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.) I wish for our gym to be renovated and turned into a true student ministries center where we can house concerts, after school programs, and large scale events.

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?
Wow...our associate left the church, then the worship pastor left, then the children’s pastor left, then the senior pastor left, then the new worship pastor left.  I have been the only staff member to stay.  pretty big one there.

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?
I plan on reaching out to the skater’s and headbangers of Waco, TX.  Our city just shut down the only skatepark in the city and the city is crying out for a skatepark.  Enter...our new pastor.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position? Yes. Very.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?  yes, my wife is called to minister...not in the same area as me as much, but called to lead worship and lead women.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?
I am the student ministries pastor. (children, youth, and college)
Our church hovers around 300 people.

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months? 
YES, I’m planning on it.

If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay? 
God is at work here and I want to join Him at His work and reach His children.

If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave?
His ways are not our ways and if He leads me elsewhere I’ll pack it up, turn it over to the replacement God has prepared and placed here to replace me and go.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back?
Yes, adding Evangelism and Assimilation/Involvement. Cutting back on Facilities Management and Operations and all ministry functions & events that only focus our attentions inward.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)
An increase in healthy disciples that will live Christ, share Christ and think of others before self.
These disciples will firm up the foundation, shake the walls and raise the dust but will revitalize and strengthen the body!

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?
A shift from strictly inward care to prayer, outreach and involvement.

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?
For us, training and experience in Evangelism on a personal basis to reach our world and a concrete system of assimilation and involvement that enfolds the entire body of Christ to use their gifts for blessing of others.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position?
Yes. It reminds me of the old story that Leonard Ravenhill tells about this younger ‘successful’ preacher who wants to have the power that he sees Ravenhill has. Ravenhill tells him about letting God take charge of his ministry and the young man tells him how God is blessing his efforts and again tells him of all his success.

Leonard tells him “You with your programs and your ‘ministry machine’… put it in park, to turn off the engine, take out the keys, get out of the car, close the door, walk around to the back, open the trunk, get in, hand the keys to God and close the trunk with you inside. Then tell God to drive. Thats how you find and engage the real power in your ministry.”

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?
Yes, the hours sometimes get tedious and wear on us at times but the rewards are awesome. We also remember always; God first-then spouse/family - ministry next.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?
Elder [1 of 5], 275-300.

1. Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?
No, I’ll be glad to leave my current setting!
2. Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year? If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back?
Neither adding or doing deleting. About the only possible change is adding a “child protection’ policy to our church
3. Dream for a second. What would you most wish for in the next year? (some suggestions: a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)
People willing to get out of their comfort zones and touch their world with the love of Christ
4. What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?
None, The church has continually shot down any ideas, concepts, programs of change. I’m learning to simply accept what the people are willing to do.
5. What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?
Prayer walking
6. Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position?
No, because the church is not willing to obey the Great Commission
7. Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?
Yes, They just wish the church body would get fired up to serve the Lord
8. What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?
Pastor: 20-35

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?  If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay?  If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave?

Yes, Iam planning to stay. I feel this is where God wants me. I made a ten year comment to my family, the church and myself to stay here regardless of what happens.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back?

Hope to add youth, music combination staff.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)

1)spiritual growth 2)numerical growth 3)outreach ministries

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?

Moving for associate pastor to senior pastor

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?

move away from Sunday School, Sunday am & pm, Wednesday schedule to a more flexible schedule to fit the congregation.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position?

Fulfilled, sometimes frustrated at a slow pace things seem to move.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?

They have never said they aren’t. My kids wouldn’t know any other lifestyle.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?

Senior Pastor 50 +/- average Sunday am

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?  If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay?  If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave?

~I plan on staying until the Lord makes it clear it’s time to leave.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back?

~Yes, we are looking for an associate pastor of music, and an associate pastor of student ministries.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)

~An associate pastor of Music.

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?

~ Moved our Prayer and Praise Service to Sunday Nights. (real big huh :0)

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?

~Small groups in our church! Yeah! Scary!

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position?

~I think I know what you mean. Yes.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?

~Happy? No. At peace? Yes.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?

~Pastor. Between 6-7,000. Closer to 6 :0) Like 190.

1. Staying? Reason: stability.  Just let
associate/youth pastor go and hiring new.
2. Staffing?  Adding 4. Coordinator of
volunteers, two part-time youth
directors, and retired pastor.
3. Big Dream? 300 servant hearted disciples.
4. Biggest change?  Letting associate go.
5. Trying new? Spend 21 hours a week prayer,
Bible study, and sermon preparation.
6. Fulfilled?  Without question.  Lots of
fun, lots of opportunity, lots of
challenges.
7. Family happiness?  Very.
8. Title--Sr. Pastor. Size--233 average
worship attn. 500+ members.

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?  If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay?  If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave?
- Staying!  Our long time, old school stuck in a rut former pastor’s departure has freed us to be able to do most of everything the staff and much of church family has dreamed of doing for the last 2 decades.  Our new pastor is very collaborative, supportive and encouraging.  We are having lots of fun in ministry.  We have grown at least 100 in the last 5 months and there is much hope of future progress and growth.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back?
- I would guess adding, but we have yet to discuss specifics.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)
- I would most dream of the entire scope of our ministry being relevant, inspirational and transformational.  I’m encouraged that we are moving in that direction.

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year?
- New Sr. pastor who is more than open to moving forward in ministry and who loves, supports and encourages our staff and church members.

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year?
- Taking a stand to coach a fellow staff member whose leadership skill set needs renewal in order for our church to fully transition into a multi-generational and dynamic church in this time of human history.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position?
- Yes.  I am very challenged, but every week something moves forward and every week people’s lives are being changed.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry?
- My wife has mixed emotions.  Our church experience was very frustrating prior to the call of our new Sr. Pastor.  Things in church improving is a big help.  She knows I’m in a good spot personally/professionally and at the same time because of being in ministry and living in coastal Orange County we have got to make certain sacrifices that are tough on her and the family (eg. she HAS to work and we rent our home).  For the most part we are happy.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church?
- I am the Executive Pastor in a growing church of about 450 in worship on any given Sund.

Yes, I plan to stay on my current post as the director of Christian counseling and supervisor for poeple going for licensing who would like to pratice in a Christian setting.  The single biggest factor is receiving the release from the Lord, the discernment and direction of the Holy Spirit, and expanded opportunities to pour out Christs’s guidance for emotional healing as God opens more doors than I can handle. Praise God.  I am looking to increase staff and ministry partners as God connects me with others who also have a pure heart for serving Him.  My heart is for there to be healing of emotional woundedeness within the church and strongholds which have caused God’s people to live a life less than what God intends our abundant lives in Him to be.  Also, I desire to be part of a team of remnant people who want the purity of Christ’s presence to birth forth new and exciting things that only God can do.  I plan on expanding the facility and moving to a larger location where there is more room to minister to more people.  I feel fulfilled in this position but I also realze it is not so much the position that fulfills me but the idea of being fulfilled by a life that’s obedient to Christ- this ministry is part of that lifestyle.  My husband is excited about the work I am a doing for the Lord but at times he is also very nervous about the unknowns that come with walking with the Lord.  I am the director of counseling for River of Life Professional Counseling, LLC.  We minister interdenominationally across all churches to anyone who is wounded in the body of Christ.

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months?  If yes, what is the biggest reason you are planning to stay?  If no, what’s the biggest reason you are planning to leave?  unsure. i cannot really say at this point. I have been in my current position 8 months, and there have been high’s and lows. I can honestly say i am directly in the middle. A year is a long bit aways.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  If so, in what areas are you hiring and in what areas are you cutting back? They are looking at hiring a worship pastor. We currently do not have one.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year?  (some suggestions:  a unified leadership; a new building; more staff; spiritual growth, etc.)Unified Growth for sure. A clear cut vision, as well as a open platform to be creative. Better Leadership and vision casting.

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year? The addition of staff. I have only been here 8 months.

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year? Media.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position? Not completely. But I do rest assured God knows my heart, and ANYTHING I am doing, is for him. That gives me some assurance. But I cannot say complete fullfillment. No.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry? No. The current church I am in is very demanding time-wise. More so than in any church i’ve worked at. My wife is at her wits end.

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church? Minister of youth and young adults.

1.  Do you plan on staying in your current church position for the next twelve months? YES. I’ve only been here a few months, and I hope to stay for years and years.

2.  Is your church planning on adding (or deleting) any positions this next year?  No, but there is some talk eventually of adding one or two maybe.

3.  Dream for a second.  What would you most wish for in the next year? I know you won’t believe this, but nothing big. Just little things, a lot of technical things. MOSTLY, for our people to really grasp the whole “priesthood of all believers” thing and start blessing us more with their gifts and talents.

4.  What has been the biggest change in your ministry in the past year? I’m full-time now! I was on staff before, but part-time.

5.  What do you plan on trying in ministry that’s totally new for you in the next year? Shifting my focus as much as possible to equipping leaders and the rest of God’s people for the works of ministry, but that’s not TOTALLY new.

6.  Do you feel fulfilled in your current ministry position? Like you wouldn’t believe. Even the really trying days are pretty exciting.

7.  Is your family happy that you are in the ministry? VERY happy!

8.  What is your current job title; and what is the size of your church? I’m a Pastor of Worship Arts, and the church averages about 900 a week in attendance.