How to Work with Major Influencers in Your Church

Written by David Lee

In every church there are people who have a major influence in the decision making processes of your church. Early in your ministry as pastor this may not be you. It is unwise to overlook the influence of significant leaders in your church.

I have learned several lessons about working with major influencers.

1. Do not ignore the reality of a major influencer.
The larger the church, the less likely one voice is to exert major influence. If positioned to do so, however, one voice can cast a large shadow even in a large church. In a smaller congregation with marginal turnover, the major influencer has the ears and hearts of the people.

2. Do not begin by viewing them as an adversary.
As a young pastor I was intimidated by some of the major influencers I met. I learned early in my ministry that a new pastor is walking on thin ice if he starts his ministry by openly challenging the one who is the primary leader in the eyes and hearts of the people. If the major influencer becomes your adversary, let that be his or her choice.

3. Discover them early in your pastorate.
This person is usually not hard to identify, but you do have to look and listen to find the major influencer. To begin the search, ask someone, “If I want to lead our church to accept a new idea, who needs to sign on to the idea to get it passed in a business meeting?”

4. Try everything possible to make them your friend.
Jesus is our model for leading people. He invested most of His ministry time equipping 12 leaders. Spend time with the major influencer and do everything within your power to love this person, even if it is not easy. Take out your towel and serve. Help him or her grow in Christ. Risk trusting. If you learn you can trust the major influencer, you may have a great ally.

5. Learn their story.
Everyone has a story and reasons for behavior and attitudes. Major influencers have stories of how they came to fulfill that role. The major influencer’s relationship with your predecessor will shape his or her initial behavior toward you. Do your homework. Get the facts. Get to know and appreciate the major influencer before expecting him or her to understand and appreciate you.

6. Learn what makes them tick.
They usually reflect a strong conviction or core value in your congregation. Learn what this person considers nonnegotiable. Discover who has the major influencer’s ear. He or she listens to someone, even if it’s not you. A time may come when you need to have that person go to bat for you in helping to influence the major influencer’s position or perspective.

7. Count the cost before going to war with them.
War is always bloody and creates significant collateral damage. Make sure your method, direction, or principle is worth it.

8. You have the title “pastor,” but you must earn the place of pastor in the hearts of people.
Gaining your church’s respect and connecting with people’s hearts will take time. Take the necessary time to strengthen your relationships and increase your influence before you ask people to invest in your vision.

9. God holds all pastors, including major influencers, in His right hand of power (Rev.1:20).
We fight too many battles needlessly. We sometimes fight battles that we cannot win. If you find yourself in a contest with a major influencer, your best course of action may be to release it and turn it over to the Lord. Seek God’s wisdom and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Many of those who have taught me the most and positively impacted my ministry were major influencers. After more than 30 years of ministry, I have learned to appreciate them as partners in ministry. Learn to appreciate the significant and valuable role major influencers play in the life of the local church.

David Lee is executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. Adapted from a previously published article. Used by permission.

Related Articles:

Overcoming Pitfalls of Leadership