Change, You can Believe In?

I am borrowing a campaign slogan from our President.  Pray for Him as our nation faces unbelievable challenges.  What a brave slogan for a campaign.  Brave because none of us like change.  No really, you don’t!  I don’t either.  Do you like it when you come upon a detour or the fire police and they redirect you from your chosen path?  We really don’t like change but change is necessary.  Someone once said, “If you are not changing you are dead.”  Our bodies change, our culture changes.  Our plans for the future change.  Even our methods change.  What am I trying to say?  Get used to change!  It is inevitable and necessary.

            But we cry, where is our stability?  Is there anything that doesn’t change?  Well, I am glad you asked.  Yes there are some things that don’t change and I am not referring to death and taxes.  Let me bullet a few for you:

·         God does not change. (1 Samuel 15:29; Hebrews 13:8)

·         God’s Word does not change. (Luke 29:33)

·         God’s plan of salvation does not change. (Micah 7:18: 1 John 1:9)

·         Our purpose as His people does not change. (Matthew 28:18-20)

So, while life and ministry may change there are some consistent things that never will.  So change when it is necessary (and try to enjoy it!) but remain steadfast in our unchanging purpose to share God’s unchanging plan of salvation, from His unchanging Word so that the millions of people in our area will have the opportunity to know this unchanging God!  Now that is change you can believe in!

Pastor as Celebrity

Pastor, you  may not feel like but you are often viewed with a celebrity like status.  Don't believe me?  Let me ask you, do church or community members want to be seen with you in public. Does your church family expect you to shake everyone's hand at the end of a service?  Are you ever invited to a function in the community or a family event that you are not a member of the family, to pray or just to be present?  There is a sense of celebrity status we must deal with.  James MacDonald addressed it recently in a blog (see link above) with some great advice.  Let me summarize

1. Try to avoid the front or back hand shaking lines.  Visit with folks in neutral places and involve other leaders for the greeting after services and discussion about the message.
2. No matter what size of the church involve yourself in the regular things of ministry.  But recognize that you don't have to do it all.
3. Avoid picture taking and book signing.  (OK really most of us don't have to deal with this one, just James).
4. Make sure they know and that they know that you know that it is not about the messenger but the message.

Risk

I was reading a blog by a friend of mine, Pastor Bill Coleman.  http://gvbcpastor.wordpress.com/  He was challenging his church and shared this video about taking risks in ministry.  This video is thought provoking and I wanted to share. 

Alan Hirsch - Are You Stuck In A Rut? from Verge Network on Vimeo.

Leaders take risks.  What are you risking?

Reality Check

The church today needs a reality check.  It behooves us as leaders to lead in the reality of our churches fulfilling our Biblical purpose.  Dr. Henry Blackaby wrote in an On Mission Magazine article: "If a nation is getting darker, or decaying, the 'problem' is not entirely with society.  The problem really lies with the condition of God's people.  We (Church) conduct our programs and activities, often simply to grow larger in number, but our influence as salt and light is not being felt in culture."

We are in need of a reality check.  Our purpose isn't really to build bigger churches with more activities.  Our real purpose is to be salt and light in our community (Matt. 5.13-16).  The great commission will not be fulfilled by us building bigger structures, drawing bigger crowds and having better activities than anyone else in the community.  We must be the preserving and directing influence of salt and light on our culture.

Leaders we desperately need a reality check.  Ask yourself the tough question about your ministry.  Am I and the church I lead really preserving or giving light to my community or am I just "doing church"?