Glenn Packiam

Insights from Glenn

1. Leadership Lessons from Transition:

• Balancing Continuity and Change: Glenn emphasizes the delicate task of honoring the history and legacy of a church while introducing necessary changes to align with its future mission. Leaders must mold the organization while remaining adaptable to its unique dynamics.
• Understanding the Mantle of Leadership: Glenn reflects on the significant weight of leadership, describing it as not just a position but a responsibility that encompasses spiritual, emotional, and organizational elements. He recounts the early months in his role, where he struggled with sleepless nights due to the intangible pressure of leading.
• Listening Before Acting: One of Glenn’s first actions at Rockharbor was to meet individually with every staff member to hear their personal stories and perspectives. This approach helped him build trust and understand the church’s internal dynamics before making significant decisions.

2. Vision and Preaching as a Senior Pastor:

• Preaching with a Purpose Beyond Exegesis: Glenn contrasts his earlier preaching roles with his current role as a lead pastor, explaining how preaching now involves casting a vision and nudging the congregation in a specific direction aligned with the church’s mission and identity.
• The Encounter, Formation, and Mission Framework: To articulate Rockharbor’s vision, Glenn adopted a threefold framework emphasizing spiritual encounter, discipleship formation, and outward mission. This framework prioritizes depth and health before expansion, focusing on unifying the church around clear goals.
• Long-Term Sermon Planning: Glenn plans sermon series 18-24 months in advance, using annual retreats to map out messages. This allows him to strategically align preaching themes with the overarching vision for the church.

3. Challenges and Opportunities in Church Leadership:

• Navigating Church Governance: Early on, Glenn identified gaps in Rockharbor’s governance model, particularly around decision-making and conflict resolution. He introduced a “wisdom council,” an external advisory team to mediate conflicts and provide broader insights.
• Building a New Staff Team: Glenn avoided rushing to hire key roles until Rockharbor’s new identity was clear. Over a year and a half, he and the team defined the church’s future direction before hiring key leaders such as youth, children’s, and worship pastors, ensuring alignment with the revised vision.
• Cultural and Geographic Recruiting Challenges: Serving in Southern California presents unique hurdles, as relocating to the West Coast is a significant commitment for prospective hires. Glenn highlights the importance of nurturing internal talent and leveraging relationships with local ministry leaders for staffing needs.

4. Importance of Community and Collaboration:

• Peer Support in Ministry: Glenn participates in a monthly group with three other pastors from different parts of the country. These relationships provide a safe space for idea exchange, encouragement, and prayer, helping him maintain perspective and avoid isolation in leadership.
• Co-Creation with Team Members: Recognizing that a leader can’t shoulder the vision alone, Glenn emphasizes the importance of externalizing the organization’s “soul.” By collaborating with staff and elders, they codify the church’s values and mission, ensuring the vision is clear and actionable for everyone.

5. Upcoming Book: What’s a Christian Anyway?

• Navigating Cultural Confusion with Ancient Wisdom: In his new book, Glenn uses the Nicene Creed as a metaphorical “rope” to guide Christians back to their faith’s core amidst a storm of cultural disorientation. He reflects on how preaching on the Creed brought a sense of clarity and connection to his congregation at Rockharbor.
• Addressing Cultural and Spiritual Homelessness: The book seeks to offer hope to those feeling disillusioned with the church or confused about their faith, highlighting the Creed’s role as an outline of belief and an invitation into unity and mystery.
• Pre-Order Details and Incentives: Available at whatsachristiananyway.com, the book offers exclusive bonuses, including access to an online book club and other interactive features with Glenn.