How accessible are you, as a pastor, to your members?

Not just to your deacons, or your elders, or your staff. How accessible are you to your church members, regardless of the size of your church?

I attend one of the mega-churches in my city, and one of my favorite parts of this church is that the pastor personally teaches a women's Bible study each spring. Last year, he spoke to the group, consisting of about 30 women (there's also a nighttime version), about little-known but influential women of the Bible. This year, he's teaching the study with his wife, and they have shared many personal experiences as they focus on topics affecting the Christian wife.

I have to say, I'm amazed that I have this kind of access to the minister, especially given the size of the church. (As an aside, the pastor is fond of saying, "We're not a big church; we're a small town.") I grew up in a medium-sized church, but I was close to my minister mostly just because his children were my age.

I view the pastor differently on Sundays now. He's not just a (great) preacher to a (very large) congregation to me anymore. I know him personally. I get to hear about his personal experiences during the Bible study, and it makes him human to me, beyond what I would get to hear on Sunday. It has been a powerful experience and has made me more connected to him.

I urge you to make yourself available to your members, whether it's teaching a Bible study to women or going with your spouse on a church marriage retreat (a practice of a preacher of another mega-church in the area). It makes a huge impact, especially in a large church, for your members to see you beyond the "large group" activities, such as Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights.

On another subject, I hope you find our annual Video issue a valuable resource. This area is growing so fast, with products becoming more and more tailored specifically for churches, and we want you to be up-to-date on what's out there for your visual ministry.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@religiousproductnews.com .

God Bless,
Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor