Ten Things Congregations Wish Their Pastor Understood
- By Joseph Mattera
- Published 11/8/2007
Joseph Mattera
Joseph Mattera has been in full-time ministry since 1980 and is currently the overseeing Bishop of Resurrection Church in New York.
Known as “a leader’s leader,” Joseph is also a virtuoso on the guitar. He has received formal education in Kingsborough Community College, Elohim Bible Institute, received ministerial training from The International Christian Center, and has received an honorary diploma from Zion Bible Institute. Joseph earned a Doctor of Divinity from the Christian Leadership Seminary, participated in BILD (Biblical Institute for Leadership Development), successfully completed a one-year certificate program with the Wilberforce Forum, and has earned a Doctor of Ministry from Bakke Graduate University, with a concentration in Biblical Worldview and Urban Ministry.
He serves as a consultant and mentor to numerous political, business and church leaders and has worked extensively with the NYPD, the local community board and numerous other service agencies. In 1989 he formed a grassroots organization that successfully closed down a pornographic store and has since helped lead the charge in his community against the proliferation of pornography. In addition, he has helped formulate and facilitate a prayer movement in the New York metropolitan area and has launched numerous citywide initiatives for unity, reconciliation and reformation. Recently, he also served as a vice chair for the final Billy Graham Crusade in New York City (June 2005).
Joseph and his wife Joyce founded Resurrection Church in 1984. A multiethnic congregation of 40 nationalities, Resurrection Church has developed and sent out high-impact leadership and numerous non-profit corporations that have greatly impacted nations and the New York region, such as Children of the City (COC regularly ministers to more than 2,000 at-risk children with counseling, after school programs, tutoring, mentoring, and other holistic ministries) and The Ekklesia Leadership Institute (which held intensive monthly seminars and week-long summits with a focus of raising up the next generation of leadership with a Christian world and life view).
Resurrection Church has a goal of “advocating for the powerless and speaking to the powerful.”
Joseph’s driving passion is his jealousy to see the Lordship of Christ manifest over every realm of society so the church can fulfill the cultural mandate in Genesis 1:28. This passion has resulted in extensive ministry nationally and internationally, reaching out to many nations of the world including the former Soviet Union, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Holland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Canada, Mexico and Cuba.
In November 1999 he started City Covenant Coalition, a network of clergy and marketplace ministries. They have come together to build the Body of Christ and work for citywide, national and global transformation (CCC has since become one of the largest and most influential clergy groups in the greater New York region). In 2004 CCC led the charge for traditional marriage in the New York region. CCC’s efforts for traditional marriage in 2004 positively influenced the social/political landscape of New York and included possibly the largest ever assembly of clergy for a press conference on the steps of New York City Hall. CCC incited another event at City Hall in which thousands of citizens renewed their vows and opposed same-sex unions and marriages. This event received extensive media coverage including network television news, radio and major local and national newspapers. These political and social events have given birth to City Action Coalition and American Action Coalition, local and national clergy led non-profit organizations that educate and activate the Body of Christ in regards to engaging the culture by applying the biblical worldview to culture and public policy.
Joseph also has hosted his own radio show “Light Your City” and a weekly cable television programs “The Ekklesia.” He is a regular contributor to Christian newspapers, and through the years has given numerous radio and television interviews and press conferences, including guest appearances on TBN. His first published book Ruling in the Gates was released in April 2003 and has already had international acclaim.
In recognition of his years of faithful service and significant influence, numerous local and national bishops and apostolic leaders consecrated Joseph to the Office of Bishop on April 29, 2006.
Joseph, his wife, Joyce and their five children live in Brooklyn, New York.
1. Many pastors out of seminary are answering questions no one is asking.
2. Many pastors are preaching over the head of the average believer.
3. Many pastors are preaching abstract truth not easily applicable in the lives of the congregation.
4. Much preaching is too idealistic and not realistically taking into consideration the humanity of the believer.
II. Congregations wish their pastor understood the high demands of their schedules
1. Some churches preach on family but then violate family relations by demanding church members regularly attend five church functions per week.
2. Some cell churches demand that every leader run a weekly cell group in spite of their job requiring they regularly go out of town to conduct business.
III. Congregations wish their pastor would be transparent and sincere instead of only relating to them when under the anointing from the pulpit
1. People crave real relationships from their pastor.
2. Some pastors are surrounded by bodyguards (armor bearers?) that keep the congregation at a distance.
3. People need to see that the pastor can relate to the everyday needs and challenges of the layperson.
4. Pastors who aren’t transparent in relationships send out a message that they are too good and/or too holy for the rest of the congregation.
5. Many pastors preach against gossip but are inaccessible and unapproachable to the congregation. Thus, congregants vent out their frustrations regarding leadership to the wrong people which then releases a divisive spirit.
IV. Congregations wish their pastor would affirm their calling as ministers in the marketplace
1. Even with all the teaching today regarding the marketplace, most pastors still have a view that only full-time preachers are in the ministry. This goes against the kingdom message, in which the main reason for the fivefold ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12) is to release God’s people into the world as ministers to “fill up all things” for His glory.
V. Congregations wish their pastor would adequately cast vision for the finances of the church
1. I believe giving dramatically increases in churches that show the status and progress as such things as building funds.
VI. Congregations wish their pastor would adequately communicate regarding major personnel changes among the leadership or key full-time staff
1. Churches that attempt to hide internal problems or big changes cultivate an atmosphere of mistrust among the congregation. (Things shared should be in general and not specific enough to uncover anyone unnecessarily.)
VII. Congregations wish their pastor would develop and release ministries that meet the felt needs of the congregation
1. Churches that only have good preaching and nice choirs are soon going to be the new dinosaurs in the urban centers of the world.
2. Single mothers, youth, married couples, the unemployed, and all entities that make up the demographic of the local church need to be targeted so that they receive proper ministry, nurture, and discipleship.
VIII. Congregations wish their pastor would regularly celebrate both the ministry and marketplace achievements of individuals in the congregations
1. Whatever a church celebrates they will attract. If you want your young people to do well in school, then celebrate high school, college graduates, educational awards, graduate degrees, etc. Celebrate promotions, milestones, and appointments to prominent places of leadership in a community. If we just celebrate spiritual things in a church context, then we are failing to integrate Christianity into the whole life of the believer.
2. For years business people have felt that the only time they feel valued by the church is when they tithe and give offerings! They are looked at as cash cows instead of sheep who serve as marketplace leaders.
IX. Congregations wish their pastor would adequately explain and stay focused on the vision of the church
1. Too often the pastor is attempting to motivate the church to get involved in a new project before the last project was fully completed, thus frustrating those with a spirit of excellence who think strategically.
2. Most people just need clear, concise, laser beam direction from their pastor so they can run with it (Habakkuk 2:2).
X. Congregations wish their pastor would spend enough time in prayer and study
1. Congregations expect and are eager to hear the voice of God from their pastor.
2. Congregations don’t want to hear echoes or poor imitations of Joel Osteen or T.D. Jakes.
3. Congregations don’t want to receive counsel or sermons from a burned out, overly stressed pastor.
4. Congregations don’t want to lay their lives, limbs, and finances on the line for a good idea or the best opinions of a deacon or elder board.
5. Congregations don’t want to be led by a pastor driven by insecurity, ego, or identity issues.
6. The number one thing mature congregations expect from their pastor is that they spend adequate time in God’s presence so that their ministry is based on the overflow of God’s revelation and blessing (Acts 6:2, 4).
Joseph G Mattera