Online Interview


Frequently Asked Questions
	1. How can I get a hold of an easier-to-read version of these questions and answers? There aren't any paragraph breaks so it's pretty hard to read.
	2. What are your top three spiritual gifts?
	3. What has led you to this conclusion?
	4. Explain and describe the core values of your philosophy of ministry.
	5. What area(s) of ministry are you most passionate about?
	6. What are your expectations and things you most need from the leaders of a church? from a church staff? from a supervisor?
	7. What have been some of your greatest successes in ministry?
	8. What did you learn about yourself in the process of your successes?
	9. What did you learn about professional ministry in the process of your successes?
	10. What is your biggest ministry failure? What caused it?
	11. What did you learn about yourself as the result of this failure?
	12. Name some non-believer friends you've built bridges with and how?
	13. How has your secular career helped prepare you for professional ministry?


1. How can I get a hold of an easier-to-read version of these questions and answers? There aren't any paragraph breaks so it's pretty hard to read.
	Sorry! The absence of paragraphs is a limitation of the website template I am using. For easier reading, just copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser to download a PDF of the questions and answers. I apologize for not being able to just give you a link to the document. Another limitation of the template. >>> http://www.PASTORGUS.COM/custom/34330/Gustavson-OnlineInterview.pdf
2. What are your top three spiritual gifts?
	Leadership, Shepherding and Creative Communication. Some people think I have the gift of Administration, because I like to "paint pictures" of how churches/ministries work by using PowerPoint, organization charts, arrows and diagrams. The fact that I have a business background probably also has an impact on their perception.
3. What has led you to this conclusion?
	I was introduced to spiritual gifts and the idea of “gift-based” ministry by John Bash in 1993. However, it was the arrival of Bruce Bugbee as senior associate pastor on our staff at South Coast Community Church (now Mariners Church) in 1994 that deepened my understanding of spiritual gifts and lit a fire in me to better understand them. Bruce, once upon a time on staff at Willow Creek, is the developer of “NETWORK™,” and author of “What You Do Best In the Body of Christ.” In addition to hand-walking more than a hundred singles adults through the NETWORK discovery and placement process, both my wife and I were blessed by being able to help Bruce launch NETWORK church-wide at SCCC. I have used NETWORK and several other gifts assessment tools to zero in on possible gifts and then relied on feedback from reliable sources to affirm or deny what the tests have indicated. My leadership and shepherding gifts have been affirmed over and over again. People follow me. This is a scary thought in light of the fact I don’t always have a clear idea as to where I’m headed! Many people assume that I have the spiritual gift of administration, because I often make use of organization charts. I sketch diagrams and flow charts on napkins. I’m also fairly detailed/thorough in my programming and documentation of sermons, classes and discussion groups. What I think is going on is that I am “painting pictures,” that is, creatively communicating what I’m trying to explain to people…not displaying an administration gift. School is still out on the question of whether my creative communication gift spills over to my songwriting.
4. Explain and describe the core values of your philosophy of ministry.
	This answer is a first draft> >>> I don’t know who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. It’s my duty to share the Gospel with everyone and “close the deals” I can, but not to beat people into submission as if their salvation was up to me. >>> This life is as close to God as some people will ever get. It is my duty to love them intensely. >>> There is no way in the world I can teach the individuals in my ministry everything God wants them to know. It is my duty to motivate them to learn on their own and support their quests for truth with access to the most Biblically-grounded resources, i.e., groups, teachers, books, tapes, curriculum, speakers, conferences, radio/TV shows, etc. Likewise, it is my duty to steer them away from bad theology, resources, input and information. >>> While it is true that different people in a church congregation will learn better from and respond more or less favorably to various pastors, nothing will tear a church apart faster than the creation of a “church within a church.” It is my duty to proactively support and advance my church’s leaders, mission, vision, values, “style,” and beliefs. Further, it is my duty to discover/develop leaders from my ministries that will do the same. >>> A huge percentage of professing Christians are poor students of Scripture, myself included. It is my duty to continually study God’s word, apply its teaching in my life, teach it to people in memorable ways and help people apply it in theirs. >>> God draws people to a saving relationship with Christ. It is my duty to understand as closely as humanly possible where they are in their journeys and get them the information they need to cross over the line to faith. >>> Despite the FACT that the Bible is God’s Word, honorable men interpret portions of it differently from one another. It is my duty to learn about the reasoning and methodology behind the varying orthodox interpretations. >>> Some of the faith’s “non-essentials” are worth defending. It is my duty to defend a more accurate interpretation of Scripture when a less accurate interpretation undermines the authority of the local church in which I serve. >>> Next to sharing the Gospel, there is nothing more holy than helping Christ-followers be the people God has wired them up to be. It is my duty to facilitate the process of getting “the right people in the right places for the right reasons.” >>> Church people will sometimes treat each other like dogs. It is my duty to be a peacemaker, even when I sometimes have to take sides. >>> Life deals Christians ups, downs and everything in between. It is my duty to mourn with those who mourn, celebrate with those who are on top of the world and to remind them that God is in charge. >>> The church has a rich history. It is my duty to learn about it and from it. >>> The church is dynamic. It is my duty to learn from my contemporaries. >>> Ministry is done by people with a bazillion different backgrounds, personality types, work styles, experiences, passions and Spiritual Gifts. It is my duty to help them notice and appreciate the wonder of one another’s unique contributions to the whole. >>> There is nothing more sacred than the truth. It is my duty to both seek and impart truth always. >>> To demonstrate my gratitude to God and my love of Christ, it is my duty and pleasure to pray, read the Bible, serve, seek counsel from believers, learn from experts, and be accountable. >>> It is my duty to pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. I am thankful for the desire that has been placed in me to do so, any progress I make, and every Godly example I am able to set in the process.
5. What area(s) of ministry are you most passionate about?
	IN THE BROADEST SENSE: In the broadest sense, I am most passionate about people with “embryonic faith” and people with what they perceive to be a “fragile faith." >>> I use “embryonic faith” to describe people who are not yet Christ-followers. Whereas faith only comes as the result of being born again, there are no shortages of God’s chosen people who have not yet crossed over that line. While God is in the process of softening their hearts to the truth, I love being there for them. I love answering their really good questions. I love helping those who ask really-bad-questions-for-all-the-right-reasons to ask better ones. I’m honored when I’m seen as trustworthy by those who are looking for Christians whom they can trust. I love helping those who are so indoctrinated by humanism and Darwinism and materialism that they are just plain “stuck” …to break free. I care deeply about people of “embryonic faith.” >>> I use the term “fragile faith” not in the sense that God isn’t faithful or that He takes back the faith He bestows upon believers but in the sense that believers often feel distant from God, unconnected, lost, unclear as to who they are or their purpose. I care deeply for Christians who have a hard time relating to Christian slang and/or reports of miraculous spiritual encounters the likes of which they themselves have never known. I grieve for Christians who underestimate their potential (and necessary) roles in The Body of Christ. I long to create safe environments for Christians who have drifted away from the church because they are embarrassed by their past sins. (Try being the Christian in a divorce recovery workshop that “HAD” the affair as opposed to the being the one who was cheated on. Whoa!) I am passionate about edifying Christians of “fragile faith.” THE NEXT LEVEL OF DETAIL: >>> Ministry places “where” I have done and want to continue doing ministry are as follows: Small Groups, Divorce Recovery, NETWORK, Single Parent Family, 35+ Singles. I am also interested in tackling GenX Singles, Blended Family ministry and working with the children/teens of divorce. >>> I am also fairly passionate about the powerful use of music and other creative means to amplify teaching.
6. What are your expectations and things you most need from the leaders of a church? from a church staff? from a supervisor?
	DISCLAIMER These aren’t so much expectations and needs as they are “it-would-be-nice-ifs.” FROM THE LEADERS OF A CHURCH: Wisdom. Integrity. Honesty. Some participation in/personal visits to my ministry venues. A decent handle on what’s going on in every ministry in the church. Unity without uniformity. Unwavering support of the churches Vision, Mission, Strategy, Core Values and Statement of Faith. Love for single adults, particularly divorced and single parents. Good stewardship of financial and other resources. Plenty of budget for MY MY MY MY areas of responsibiltiy. :-) FROM A CHURCH STAFF: Occasionally laugh at my off-the-wall-humor. Collaboration. Synergy. Creativity. At least one person that likes to talk about theology and/or cosmology. :-) Ideas. Admin staff willing to take on new stuff. Let me help. Minister to me (e.g., help me to become a better contemporary Christian songwriter even though I’m not a teenager). FROM A SUPERVISOR: Truth. Being "other-focused." Freedom to experiment. Makes complete use of my “SHAPE”. Encouragement. Help in my areas of weakness. Theological insight. Theological insight. Theological insight. If the lead pastor… good teaching. Good sense of humor. Confidence tempered by humility. Patience. Seek my advise. Put up with my Presbyterian leanings. Be likeable.
7. What have been some of your greatest successes in ministry?
	All in all, the greatest successes have been with people: Helping the hurting heal, getting them back on their feet, (re)connecting them to their relationships with Christ, encouraging/equipping/empowering them to do ministry, helping them sustain their ministries for a lifetime, connecting them to the local church while NOT completely disconnecting them from the world. Names come to mind as I type. Wow!
8. What did you learn about yourself in the process of your successes?
	>>> That I’m a pastor! :-) >>> That God is willing to use me despite the fact that I don’t have a “touchy-feely-emotional” relationship with Him. That I’m a “thinker” seems to be okay with Him. >>> That I’m willing to work harder than I might have guessed to overcome my weaknesses (for instance, poor memory of Bible passages), lack of experience and absence of seminary training. >>> That I enjoy doing ministry when surrounded by loved ones. >>> That ministry ups-and-downs don’t throw me completely off course or incapacitate me. >>> That I’m a lot more patient and loving than I was as a young man (Hmmm, maybe the Holy Spirit is changing me little by little.) >>> That people respond favorably to me despite my lack of confidence and very real flaws. >>> That I do a better job when I allow time for my own Bible study, reading, prayer, recreation and family than when I get as harried doing ministry as I did in my secular pursuits. >>> That I love “giving away/delegating” ministry that I don’t need or even want to do everything myself. >>> That I’m better off when I’m just being whacky old me than when I’m worried about looking good/right.
9. What did you learn about professional ministry in the process of your successes?
	ABOUT MINISTRY: >>> How to do it, even when I’m not quite sure what I’m doing. >>> About “programming” relevant, impactful services that “speak to” both non-believing friends/neighbors and mature Christians. >>> That you can’t satisfy all of the people all of the time. >>> That God provides the churches with people “SHAPED” for the work that He intends for them to do; and that while attracting new people is an ongoing responsibility, so too is the stewardship of those gifts, passions, talents, personalities etc. that are already under roof. >>> That leading requires constantly being on the lookout for leaders and teams of people who “jell,” and encouraging/equipping/empowering them to be who God wired them up to be. >>> That remaining faithful to one’s individual ministry, to God, His Word and His kids has its rewards. >>> That ministry can be devastatingly painful. >>> That many “church people” are ofthen less reliable and even more hurtful than “business people.” >>> That God must be the power behind the church, because there is no other way to explain the church’s survival. :-) That for me there is no more fulfilling work.
10. What is your biggest ministry failure? What caused it?
	Probably my years at Parkcrest Christian Church. NOT A COMPLETE FALIURE BUT....>>> The Single Parent Family Ministry did not grow any where near as much as hoped, and certainly not at the pace I have experienced in the past. >>> I failed in my attempt to cut back the hours required for my secular consulting as had been my plan. Thus, I was only able to devote the hours I was being paid for (and only a tad more) to ministry. >>> After several months of working on relationships (my usual course) I appointed a leadership team that included some people that weren't ready for leadership. My overconfidence in my own ability to groom people backfired big time. >>> I didn't really connect with the rest of the staff. Not only was time an issue, we lived 35 miles away from the church and with L.A. traffic, well............ >>> Even though we are very good friends and have been for years, I don't think my boss (Michael Baggett) and I made as strong a team as we would have liked. Our styles, while different, are complementary, but I don't think they were as synergistic as they could have been.
11. What did you learn about yourself as the result of this failure?
	That I'm not nearly as wonderful as I thought.
12. Name some non-believer friends you've built bridges with and how?
	>>> Jim Hussey. Met through business and trade association service. >>> Jeff Forker. Business. (NOTE: Jeff accepted Christ just before his death 2/04.) >>> Cam Barton. Business. (I recently performed his daughter's wedding. We have been close for over 25 years.) >>> Greg Malaby. Business. >>> Dale Rossi. Business. (The newest on the list.) >>> Kara Castaneda. Business. (Kara bought a majority interest in my company after working for me for four years.) >>> John Gustavson (no relation). Met in college and still play Bridge once a month. >>> Please feel free to contact any of the above, except Jeff who you will get to meet in Heaven. Their contact information can be found on the page titled "Secular Contacts." >>> I don’t think I will ever fall into the trap of NOT having non-believer friends/acquaintances. What I can no longer achieve via business, I should be able to achieve via sports, the neighborhood and/or community service.
13. How has your secular career helped prepare you for professional ministry?
	Generally speaking, I think it has prepared me to serve and work with people from a great many walks of life. I've interacted and worked with (and sometimes against) high-ranking government officials, business execs, entrepreneurs, field technicians, engineers, Ph.D.s, maintenance people and everything in between. I've managed dozens of employees in a big corporation, a small staff in a small business and worked as a one-man show serving many clients. I've spoken before hundreds and negotiated one-on-one. I've had the chance to be the guy up front, and had the pleasure of being able to step aside and watch someone I've mentored spread his/her wings. While I'm not a great orator by any stretch of the imagination (just sincere), I've been able to practice and hone the skills of public speaking, "presenting," and facilitation. I've also had to stay a little ahead of the curve on communications technology, which has proven useful when it comes to creatively staying in touch with people in my ministries. I've learned both appreciation for and patience with volunteers by serving as a volunteer, volunteer leader and as the executive director of an association; I've had the opportunity to work at the policy shaping level of federal and state government (big picture) and crawled around rooftops looking for ways to optimize building systems with technology (feet on the ground). I've designed, recruited teams, managed and executed both short-term and long-term projects, and steadily chipped away at my objective: To increase the quantity and quality of energy management in America. I've made some wonderful friends along the way who have unselfishly helped me accomplish whatever good that I've done. I've learned that trying to change the world (or even a tiny little corner of it) can take a really long time, can only be done with the help of others, and can be an extremely satisfying way to do life. >>>(If “I” write “I’ve” one more time “I’m” going to throw up.)