New Pastors often make elementary mistakes when they assume the pastorate of a church. Even though you’re now the pastor, you’re still the “new kid on the block.” Listed are some strategies to employ during the first year of your new pastorate.

• Earn confidence by showing competence in decision-making.
• Focus on people first – programs second.
• Make no major changes the first year.
• Promote health through loving the people.
• Tackle the most critical problems one at a time – line them up single file.
• Respect culture – each church has its unique history.
• Keep in mind that Rome wasn’t built in a day.
• Focus on “who” first and “what” second. Get the right people in the right positions, and then develop a strategy.
• Give the church a steady diet of hope.
• Foster a climate of trust.