There has yet to be a church that exists with perfect members or church leaders. It’s not humanly possible.
However, far too many church leaders feel that they have to be perfect and set that ideal example for everyone to follow. That type of pressure often just leads to even worse flaws.
After all, being able to embrace who we are at any given moment makes it easier to become a better person. For leaders at church, this also helps you grow the church.
Easier To Connect With Members
Do you ever remember feeling intimidated in high school or college by those students that just seemed incredibly perfect? They could do no wrong. What you didn’t see was how lonely and exhausted most of them were. They felt alone because people didn’t think they were approachable. Plus, it’s tiresome putting on a face of perfectly 24/7.
As a church leader, one of the easiest ways to connect with members is to embrace your flaws. Maybe you had to work overtime Saturday and haven’t gotten to spend time with your kids all week and just wanted to stay home on Sunday. Do it and don’t be ashamed. This shows your members that it’s not always the end of the world to miss the occasional service. It also shows you’re just like them.
This also opens up the doors to creating a digital version of your church. After all, if church leaders sometimes have to take a break, so will members. But, offering a church website with a recap of weekly services and discussions ensures everyone stays up to date. For those opposed to a digital presence, a flawed leader actually helps sway the decision.
Able To Stop With Comparisons
It’s easy to get carried away with comparing your church to another. So what if another church in the area has 100 more members than yours? It doesn’t mean you’re a bad leader. It doesn’t mean you have to work non-stop to be just like the other church.
By accepting that every church leader is different and has their own flaws, you’re finally able to stop with all the comparisons. Church leaders who constantly compare themselves are just like the people who suffer from depression due to social media comparisons.
Once a leader accepts who they are, members are more accepting as well. Plus, you can focus on what’s best for your church, not another church. Of course, you can always pick up growth tips from fellow churches, but remember, your church and leadership is just as good as any other church.
Create A More Realistic Brand
Most churches don’t consider themselves as a brand. However, you should. Brands work to build relationships with their consumers. Members are similar to consumers. When church leaders stop trying to be perfect, they’re able to create a more realistic brand.
For instance, blog posts might focus more on teaching versus just condemning every flaw as a sin. This appeals to both members and the unchurched. They see your church as a more accepting place, which encourages them to attend.
Draw In Others Who Are Flawed
When it comes to church growth, visitors are more likely to feel comfortable at a church where leaders seem like real people. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you learn and grow from them that matters. When new visitors see that your church is filled with other flawed people, it’s comforting. They feel more at home and less like they’re being judged.
Speak About Their Own Experiences
The most important reason church leaders should embrace their flaws is to share their experiences with others. It’s not uncommon for church podcasts, blogs and online sermons to come off sounding out of touch with reality. They’re great at teaching what the Bible has to say, but they’re still hard to relate to.
By accepting your own flaws, you’re able to take God’s word and use it to show how it applies to real experiences and situations. Plus, the more comfortable you are talking about your own flaws, the more likely your members are to share too. Suddenly, you create a more engaged community that draws in new members.
Are you ready to start embracing your flaws and better engaging your members? Start by sharing your experiences on your church’s website and starting new conversations with your church.
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