Leading between the Fault Lines: Leadership Challenges and Strategies for Ministry in Wounded Congregations

2007·0.78 MB·English

by  KEVIN D. FRAIN

LEADING BETWEEN THE FAULT LINES:
LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
FOR MINISTRY IN WOUNDED CONGREGATIONS

A THESIS
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF
GORDON-CONWELL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY

BY
KEVIN D. FRAIN

MAY, 2007

Dedication

This thesis project is dedicated to:
My wife, Christy. I am amazed by the intensity of your loyal love and selfless
sacrifices for me and our family. Who I am and who our family is today is the result of
your dedicated commitment to wanting the best for our family above your own desires
and needs. Our Lord has truly blessed me to provide such a beautiful and godly wife in
you.
My grandparents, Rodman and Edna Stahl. They had a significant impact on my
life from an early age through their Christ-like example and their prayers. For forty years
they prayed daily for a son to go into the ministry. I am the answer to their prayers.
Jesus Christ, my Master and Savior. I could not have grasped thirty years ago
where this journey would take me when I first responded to your invitation to salvation.
Thank you for being my faithful guide and constant companion through the joys and
perils of my life journey.
Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vii
Abstract ix

I. The Problem and Its Setting 1

Congregations living at the epicenter of an
(cid:147)earthquake(cid:148) encounter 1

Leading between the fault lines 4

My personal journey with recovery ministry in
wounded congregations 7

Project design 23

II. Biblical and Theological Foundation 26

The importance of a biblical theology of ministry
for recovery ministry 26

Paul(cid:146)s relationship and correspondence with the
Corinthian believers 27

Paul(cid:146)s pastoral identity in Second Corinthians 31

Paul(cid:146)s leadership metaphors in Second Corinthians 35

Applying Paul(cid:146)s leadership model in Second
Corinthians in recovery ministry 43

III. Literature Review 45

Ministry roles and knowledge essential for doing
recovery ministry 45

Review of literature applicable to recovery ministry 46
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Congregational trauma and conflict 47

Congregational recovery and renewal 60

Family systems theory in recovery ministry 77

The pastoral leader in recovery ministry 88

Summary of literature review chapter 98

IV. Project Design 101

Interview with Dr. Robert Gustafson 101

Interview with Rev. Paul Meiners 106

Interview with Rev. John Myers 110

Interview with Rev. Omar Zook 114

Interview with Rev. Dave MacKenzie 117

Interview with Dr. Gene Heacock 121

Interview with Dr. Ron Susek 124

Interview with Mrs. Christy Frain 128

Congregational responses to the recovery process 131

Summary of chapter four interviews 132

V. Outcomes and Recommendations 134

Limitations of this thesis project 135

The costly impact of an (cid:147)earthquake(cid:148) event in a
congregation 135

Recovery ministry and long term vision 137

v
The Apostle Paul(cid:146)s model for a recovery leader 138

A recovery leader(cid:146)s need for a support team 140

Conclusion 142

Appendices

Appendix A- Setting Your Church Free Prayer Service 143
Appendix B- Recovery Ministry Preaching and
Teaching Themes 151

Appendix C- We are God(cid:146)s Church: An Affirmation
of Faith 156

Bibliography 157
Vita 162
v i
Acknowledgements

Though this thesis bears only my name, this work is the result of a team effort. I
could have not accomplished all that has transpired in my life and ministry without the
dedicated support of my dear family and friends.
I have been surrounded in our family by five beautiful women(cid:151)my wife, Christy,
and our daughters Ashley, Renata, Karis, and Meredith. They have been with me every
step of the way on this journey in ministry to wounded congregations. At times, we went
through some very painful experiences. However, I am thankful that we were able to
come through them together, and that we are stronger in our faith, character, and
commitment to one another as a result.
I also have two wonderful sets of parents who have been generous in their
encouragement and support(cid:151)my parents, David and Mary Frain, and Christy(cid:146)s parents,
Larry and Sandy Pike. Their unfailing affirmation and commitment to us has been a
strong, stabilizing factor in our lives through the tests and trials in our family life and
ministry experience.
I have also greatly benefited from the encouragement and support of a special
group of friends who were part of our ministry couples group while ministering on Cape
Cod: Ed & Marian De La Cour, Rob & Lynne Rienstra, Mike & Maggie Rowe, and Rob
& Priscilla Swanson. Christy and I were a part of that fellowship group for over eleven
years. We watched our kids grow up together. We prayed for one another, cried and
rejoiced with one another, and encouraged one another through the unique challenges and
experiences of life as ministry families. Though we are now separated by several
hundred miles from each of these couples, our bonds of friendship remain strong. We
v ii
have yet to find in our present ministry location some trusted and caring friends as special
and as these precious ones are to us.

v iii
Abstract

When a church goes through a crisis such as a painful church split or clergy
misconduct, the impact can adversely affect the spiritual, relational, and emotional health
of the congregation. This trauma has been compared to the common experience of
survivors from an earthquake. The victims are bombarded by feelings of shock, grief,
loss, insecurity, confusion, anger, and anxiety about the future. The emotional system of
the congregation often becomes disoriented and chronically anxious, leading to further
aftershocks and fractures within the church fellowship.

Ministry to wounded congregations presents a unique challenge for the recovery
leader, since the practices and skill sets of traditional pastoral ministry will not
necessarily apply to the needs and crises within the troubled church family. Likewise,
most contemporary models of leadership are inadequate for this unique ministry
condition. A different model and approach is needed to (cid:147)lead between the fault lines(cid:148) of
the wounded congregation.

The Apostle Paul(cid:146)s Christ-centered ministry practice when handling controversies
and conflicts within the Corinthian church provides a useful biblical leadership paradigm
for recovery ministry in a wounded congregation. His leadership metaphors in Second
Corinthians also illustrate a leadership model that exercises the right balance of authority
and power in a difficult ministry situation.

The recovery leader will also benefit from recent research insights on the
challenges and common experiences of pastors who minister in wounded congregations.
Another field of study involves resolving interpersonal and spiritual conflicts within
troubled churches, regardless if these issues precipitated the earthquake or perpetuate
aftershocks within the congregation. Family systems theory provides a helpful tool for
understanding the relational dysfunction at work under the surface of the wounded
congregation. Finally, applying change agent theory within the congregational system is
another useful concept for recovery ministry. An internally driven leader will stay
relationally connected to the emotional system of the congregation while initiating
positive change toward health and mission in the recovery process.

The project design of this thesis consists of interviews with select people who
have experience and/or expertise in various facets of ministry to wounded congregations.
Insights from these interviews are incorporated into a recommended plan for organizing a
recovery team to assist the recovery leader(cid:146)s implementation of a ministry plan in the
wounded congregation.
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Chapter 1: The Problem and Its Setting
I. Congregations living at the epicenter of an (cid:145)earthquake(cid:146) encounter
A. How an earthquake happens
A severe earthquake and its aftershocks are one of the most frightening
phenomena of nature to experience. Earthquakes are nearly impossible to predict
because their origin lies hidden below the surface. Deep underground, large tectonic
plates are in constant motion due to the convection currents that radiate from the earth(cid:146)s
mantle, the molten rock level below the earth(cid:146)s crust. When these tectonic plates lock
together, pressure builds at certain stress points along the fault lines of these plates.
Eventually enough energy accumulates to force these plates to break free, causing a
violent vibration on the earth(cid:146)s surface(cid:151)the eruption of an earthquake.
An earthquake can be a very traumatic experience for those living near its
epicenter. Not only do they face the possibility of physical harm and loss of property, but
there is also a great deal of emotional trauma associated with this unexpected natural
disaster. A once settled and secure lifestyle becomes radically disrupted, leaving the
victims with feelings of insecurity, loss, and instability, as well as fear and uncertainty
about the future.
B. Congregations in crisis: experiencing trauma at the epicenter
At times, congregations can also experience an earthquake-like shockwave.
These unsettling events are often triggered by congregational trauma caused by a church
split, the forced exit of pastoral staff, or the financial mismanagement or moral failure of
a leader in the church. Though people react differently to the traumatic event, the
underlying impact is often the same. This unexpected crisis can set off a wide array of
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