Amateurs wait to write their sermons until they feel inspired. Professionals work on their sermons on a schedule, focusing on creating consistent writing habits that lead to inspiration.
Amateurs take criticism about various aspects of the church they serve personally. Professionals seek feedback, even if it is negative, and view it as necessary to growth as an organization.
Amateurs make wildly unrealistic projections about the future growth of their church based upon magical thinking. Professionals keep track of past performance by meticulously gathering and analyzing data so that their prayers and vision casting are realistic.
Amateurs are afraid to consistently hire great leaders, and subconsciously make excuses for why they don’t “make the cut” for their teams. Professionals know that if they are the best, or smartest, leader in the room, that that is the clearest indication that they are a weak leader.
Amateurs never use all their vacation days. Professionals take every vacation day they’re given because their eye is on the long play.
Amateurs make excuses. Professionals solve problems.
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Amateurs don’t take responsibility for their church’s growth. Professionals know that while they themselves aren’t the cause of the church’s growth, they are the spark.
Amateurs won’t learn everything they can from science, psychology, and business to critique and inform their ministry practices. Professionals have Fast Company and Rolling Stone on their Kindle sitting next to the Bible on their bed stands.
Amateurs adamantly refuse to use other Senior Pastor’s sermons as a matter of pride and principle, no matter how obviously terrible their preaching is to their listeners. Professionals know that the fastest way to get better is to live inside the mind of a great preacher for a season.
Amateurs change churches to get a raise. Professionals focus on developing strong stewardship habits in the church, in part, so their staff can be well paid and freed to do awesome ministry without undue stress and worry.
Amateurs pray when they feel led. Professionals pray because they have created a daily habit that leads them to pray whether they feel like it or not.
Amateurs never hire coaches, invite outside leaders to critique their methods, nor seek consistent, honest, 360-degree feedback from people better than them. Professionals know that the moment they stop being feedback champions that their days of effective ministry are over.
Amateurs spend the majority of their time with other amateur Senior Pastors. Professionals take risks by seeking out other Senior Pastors who have effectively led through the growth barrier they’re facing.
Amateurs quit when the ministry gets hard. Professionals retire from the ministry.
Amateur Senior Pastors abound. Professional Senior Pastors are few.
The church you serve needs you to turn pro.
Which of these differences between amateur and professional Senior Pastors have you seen be true in your own life?
If you are interested in learning more about the types of coaching I offer, you can do that here.
