Mistakes Were Made

In a healthy world we learn from our mistakes. We make them. We course correct. We move forward . . . unless we don’t course correct but – instead – learn nothing, rinse and repeat.

Here are the top mistakes I’ve made myself and/or noticed others making in 2024 in Church World:

• We were so tired of seeking a new pastor (for denominations without bishops) that we overlooked any possible signs that this was not a good match. We didn’t dare ask hard questions in the interview process for fear we’d learn something we didn’t want to hear and therefore further slow down our search.
• We were so tired of seeking a new call that we overlooked any possible signs that this was not a good match. We didn’t dare ask hard questions in the interview process for fear we’d learn something we didn’t want to hear and therefore further slow down our search.
• We didn’t read the room before launching off into a diatribe that started an unnecessary conflict.
• We entered into a situation with an “I alone can fix you” mentality rather than listening to people, learning to love them and then leading them.
• We ignored professional advice – especially if that advice came from Presbytery leaders who love you and have done this before.
• We believed we would be saved by a) a young pastor, b) someone dying and leaving us all their money, c) getting rid of the pastor we have, c) all the above.
• We confused God’s will with our own.

It takes wisdom and humility to learn from our mistakes. And mistakes can be expensive. And also, we are people saved by grace with the call to offer grace to others. And also we will make new mistakes in 2025.

Nevertheless, let’s try to avoid the perennial ones.

Image source.