Accepted wisdom assumes that a year or more must pass before a new pastor can even begin to have an impact on a new congregation. Kennon Callahan, however, strongly disagrees; the first three months are, he argues, crucial for shaping a successful long-term relationship with any new church.
A New Beginning for Pastors and Congregations offers practical, concrete advice for both pastors and congregations on using these early months well, or for creating a new beginning in an ongoing ministry. Callahan teaches us that nurturing the pastor-congregation relationship and securing a future together happens by discovering and building upon shared gifts and strengths. He offers clear guidance on shepherding, preaching, and sharing in the community, and reveals some of the obstacles of the early months, illuminating the ways in which a minister's family can thrive in a new congregation. This book is a must-have for every ministry -- new or ongoing.
