Bottom line is that God's people cannot sit in a chair/pew each week and do nothing, while expecting the pastor to do everything and call themselves followers of Jesus. It's just not possible. The unfortunate thing is that many leaders enable the congregation to do just that. It is just not wise, nor is it biblical.
God's idea of what church is and how it operates MUST become our idea too. And unless we leaders understand that the primary purpose of the church is to create a heaven on earth experience that will compel people to connect with God, well, we are just kidding ourselves to think that we are making a difference in our community, or our country. Please hear me, when I talk about connecting with God, I am referring creating an experience that is life changing for the very spiritual, but also for the seeker as well. There is a huge difference between drawing a crowd through great marketing, and drawing a crowd through great marketing with a purpose in mind.
Leaders are at best stewards. We steward the gifts, callings, and talents in the people that make up our congregations. It is every leaders responsibility to create the systems necessary so that everyone is able to, "bring his or her supply of the spirit".
We at Journey are also in the middle of a Vision series like many churches across our land. We are setting up the proper teams and ministries that will take Journey way into the future with, or without me. I want to see the church I lead become very successful in the eyes of man as many do, yet it is more important to me that Journey becomes successful in the eyes of God. To do that, I have to keep all that we do in line with the things that God Himself is interested in. It is my job as the lead pastor to do this. I have no other choice.
Winning the lost, helping each person to become spirit-filled, and creating systems that allow everyone to be on a growth track of discipleship, are the major things that I read from the New Testament that God wants every church to be involved with. Some churches are better at one or two of these than others, some have forgotten them all together. Whatever the case, it is time for us as leaders to take on the role of a servant and serve the people through the anointing that is on our lives. Wash their feet, and tell them that they CAN.
My church is the healthiest when I am not doing everything. My motto is this, "if I can do it, and so can you, You get to do it." Every time I step up to do something because I think I can do it better, I am not allowing someone that God anointed to do the task fulfill their God-given ministry. Think about it.
Isn't this exactly what Jesus did?
See you Sunday...