Bringing Change - Share a Vision

"You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach."  I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king's words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, "Let us arise and build." 

Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NASB)

As we learned in the last post there are times when change is needed.  When it is, we must have the will to lead others to where they need to go.  But in order to do that we must share the vision.  Vision is not our idea it comes from God.  But it will be our responsibility as leaders to help those we lead to embrace the vision.

So how exactly do we do that?  There are at least five important steps in sharing God's vision with God's people.

1. Have the vision.  We must stop and listen and see the vision for ourselves.  If you don't have a vision from the Lord, you can not and should not be trying to lead others.  If you don't have a vision for your church takes some time go away in silence and solitude and ask God to give you His vision for His people!
2. Communicate the vision.  Now is the time to begin communicating the vision.  How do you do that?  In every way and as often as you can.  Preach it, talk about it, teach about it, dream with the people about it.  Keep it in front of them!
3. Organize to fulfill the vision.  This is preparation.  There will always be details to work and small changes to work through in order for the vision to be accomplished.
4. Empower to do the vision.  As the leader you are not to do the vision for the people but equip and lead them to do the vision with you.  Empower them!  Give it to them!  Stand with them to accomplish the good work.
5. Be persistent with the vision.  Stick with it!  Don't give up!  Don't water down when it seem difficult!  If it is from God be persistent regardless of opposition.  Every hill is not worthy of the leader dying on.  But if this vision is truly from the Lord it is worthy of it.    Be persistent!

Leaders must share the vision if change is to be embraced!

Bringing Change - Be a Leader

I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:12 (NASB) 

This is part 1 of 3 blog posts on bringing change.  If there is a dirty word used by good leaders in the church it would be the word CHANGE.  No one likes the word not even leaders.  But it is a needed word.  Most, OK, all churches need change.  Some don't know it.  Some know it but don't know how.  Some know it but are unwilling.  For the pastor who wants to be more than a chaplain, who marries and buries, we must be willing to bring change.  So here is the challenge:  Be a Leader and bring about change if and when it is needed.

Here are some really great statements of truth for us to chew on.  I don't know who originally said these things but I have found them to be true.

"Great leaders are not restricted by the way things have always been done."

"Leadership is searching for the best way, not the familiar way."

"The message should never change (Scripture) but the methods used will need too."

"Change for change sake is never a good thing."

With over 70% of churches in declined, plateauing or already dead, there are some things that need to change.  If we are ever going to impact our communities or the World for the Kingdom we must tackle bringing about change.

(Post 2 will be about Vision.  Post 3 will be about influencing people.)

Shatter the Snake!

 He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for the Israelites burned incense to it up to that time.

 2 Kings 18:4 (HCSB) 

As a pastor or leader ask yourself this question.  Is there a snake that has slithered into my church?  I know a lot of jokes come to mind as you read that question.  Now don't jump to any quick conclusions about what it may be.

In 2 Kings we find an interesting scenario.  We could read right past it and not blink if we are not paying attention.  Hezekiah begins to make some serious spiritual reforms for Judah.  He gets rid of the idolatry.  He destroys the High place and the False religions that have crept in and set up shop with God's people.  But there is one interesting thing he destroyed.  The bronze snake built by Moses and used by God to bring healing to a bitten people. (Numbers 21.4-9)

The bronze snake began with a godly purpose.  Instituted by God and used by his leader Moses.  But after a while it's purpose was no longer needed and it took on a new purpose, an ungodly purpose.  It became an idol, a stumbling block to the spiritual life of God's people.  We have some snakes in the church today.  They are traditions and programs, that in its day were useful and led many to grow and thrive spiritually.  Now they have become an idol that is dragging us down.  Most Churches have one of these serpents, that we see no fruit from and merely distract us from other methods that could be useful in fulfilling our mission.  They are difficult to get rid of but it just might be necessary for you to be a Hezekiah and tear it down.

DNA of a growing, fruitful and healthy church: Introduction

Ed Stetzer & Mike Dodson (Comeback Churches, pg. 29-30) wrote: "Most churches in North America need a new approach, a new philosophy, and a new passion.  Yet most won't make the change."
Why is that?  Why do we have difficulty righting the ship?  Stetzer & Dodson continue, "Too many pastors will see the need for change but will be unable to convince there churches to make the changes necessary."  This I believe is true.  I know that this was the case in at least 2 of the churches I have pastored over the last 20 plus years of ministry.  What is the disconnect?
Well again Stetzer & Dodson rightly diagnose the problem.  "Most pastors reading this believe that the church exists, at least in part, to fulfill the great commission. . . .But the average person in the church thinks the church exists to meet his or her needs."  
So what can we do?  What does the church need to make this change?  The church needs a new spiritual DNA.  If you prefer, the church as a whole needs a new mindset or paradigm.  DNA in our bodies is the substance that contains our genetic instructions.  These instructions are used as our body develops and in every aspect of how we function as a living organism.  You might call it our blueprints for life.  Spiritually most churches today need to be infused with a new DNA or blue print of what it is to be the church.  We have blurred the Biblical mandate of the churches purpose with traditions and programs.
If we are to lead our churches to be growing fruitful and healthy we must introduce them to a new philosophy and mindset about the church.  Are you up to the challenge?

check back later fro part 2.

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!

Thoughts on Change