Over the next few weeks, I
will write a series of blog posts with the intent of inviting you into the
heart and mind of a pastor. These posts will explore the very questions that constantly
echo in a pastor’s head, at least in this pastor’s head. Together we will
examine God’s call for the church, how success is defined, and what things ought
to get the greatest amount of attention. Many of these questions are currently
amplified in my mind as we are reassembling our staff and looking to the
future.
Question One: How do we define
the win?
If we want to be successful,
we must know what success looks like. Is success rooted in the number of
programs we have? Is success maintaining what our ministries have looked like
in the past? Is success me getting the programs and events that I enjoy? Is
success defined by the number of people in the pews? Is success defined by a
growing budget? What is success?
In order to define success
for the church, we must look to the Bible. In the scriptures, I see one
overwhelming call that is supported again and again by follow up texts. That
one call, “Go…and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). No where in scripture are
programs mentioned. No where in scripture are we told to maintain traditions.
No where in scripture are we told to make sure everyone is having a good time.
We are not even told in scripture to be the sort of a church everyone loves
coming to. We are simply told to make disciples. Then, the rest of the New
Testament speaks to the how and why of that command.
Here is the challenge. It is
human nature to maintain what we are comfortable with. It is human nature to
preserve those things we enjoy and find pleasing. However, we must make a
choice. Are we more concerned with our comfort level or with obedience? If we are
simply concerned with our own enjoyment, then let the debate begin as to what
is most enjoyable. However, if obedience is our greatest concern, then we must
begin to pray, have honest discussions, and put everything on the table. We
must understand that this will likely mean some programs or events will go away
and others will be born. The focus will then become what most expediently gets
us to the goal of “making disciples.”
For a pastor, the challenge
rest in this: I want the church to be happy. I want people to be fulfilled and
experience enjoyment when they are here. However, I also deeply desire, and am
compelled, to be obedient to the Lord’s call. Ninety-five percent of the time
these two will not collide, but occasionally they do. The question then
becomes, what is a pastor to do? I think the deep desire and prayer of every pastor
is that his church will understand and join in the pursuit of the church being
exactly what God has called it to be.
So, what can we do:
First of all, pray. Yes, it sounds simplistic, but it
is a first step. Pray that God would make His will clear. Pray that God would
maintain a spirit of peace and unity within the church. Pray that God would
make a way forward.
Second, keep the main thing the main thing. The main thing is not a program
or an event. The main thing is not keeping people happy or excited. The main
thing is not being the attractional church in town. The main thing is to be
obedient to the call of Christ to “make disciples.”
Third, be humble. Humility says, “I don’t have to have it my way.”
Humility says, “I will put others first.” Humility says, “It is more important
to be obedient than to be happy.” Humility says, “We will reach people for
Christ, and disciple them, regardless of the cost.”
Finally, be optimistic. Here is a little fact we forget…WE WIN! I now this
is so because I have read the end of The Book. The rest of this is just
details. There is no need for a defeatist, pessimistic attitude. There is no
reason for believers to get cross with each other. We simply need to partner together,
seek God’s face, and enjoy the process. Yes, I said enjoy it. This really is
supposed to be fun.
So, join me as we seek God.
Join me as we pray, as we seek to be obedient, and as we look to make Northside
all she can be for the Lord. Join me as we “Journey Together” to “finish the
race.”
Honored to be your pastor,
Darrell
