Many times churches get this idea that being busy and starting more things is the same as being a success. It is easy to think that the more ministries you start, the better the church must be doing. But here is the deal, more things going on is NOT the goal. The goal should be to see lives changed. You could be a church of 50 or 500, and have 25 different ministries, but if it is not producing life change in people, you are not being effective or successful. Here are a few more thoughts:
- If the ministries you are doing now are not producing any life change in people, you need to get rid of it.
- If starting a new ministry means another job for an already stressed out, overloaded staff member, you probably do not need it.
- If your idea of growth is doing something else, and not spiritual maturity in people, you likely do not need to do anything else.
- If you think that keeping your people busy is more important than letting them get out into the world to make a difference and have influence, you do not need another ministry.
- If you have to get up and beg people to attend a ministry event every time you have it, you do not need it because it must not be producing life change in people, or they would come.
- If you have to guilt people into doing something, you do not need to do it. It obviously is not an effective means to life change for your people.
- Just because the church down the street does it, does not mean you need to do it.
- Just because you have always done it, does not mean you should still be doing it.
So, what are your thoughts? Do you think less is more or more is more?
Friday Links
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With the move and getting settled, I have been off-line for a bit when it comes to blogging. Friday Links is an easy way to get started again, so here I go. Here are some great posts I read this last week. Enjoy!
- Tony Morgan talks about “Change”… there are some great take-aways from this! I had to edit this post less than 5 minutes after posting to add this one from Tony on How To Start A Movement. What a great post on leadership, and most importantly, being a “first follower.” WOW! Just WOW!
- These posts were from last week, but Mark Beeson had an awesome post on the talent pool in your church, and, he gave an awesome overview of the persecution Christians went through under Nero… one of the best I have heard!
- Perry Noble speaks some encouraging words to pastors.
- Rob Wegner shares about the poor not being helpless – great stuff!
That is enough for today! Enjoy your weekend!
Friday Links
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Not a lot of time as I am in the middle of moving my family across the country, but here are a few great posts from this last week:
- Mark Beeson had a great post on “Eight Reason Good People Volunteer.” Awesome read!
- Pete Wilson posted a great thought on “Impression Management.” And he had another great post on “Why Pastor’s Should Blog.”
- Perry Noble talks about “How to get buy in from your staff” here and here.
- And of course, this post from Scott Hodge, because my pic is in his post!
Have a great week everyone!
The last installment from this post and this post…
So, the Israelites forget all that God had done for them in the past, and they measured the task by their own strength. We also see that…
- They viewed things in their own perspective rather than in the light of God’s promises.
In Numbers 13:33, the Bible says that the Israelites “saw the Nephilim,” compared themselves to those giants, and decided that compared to the giants, they were like little bugs.
God had already promised them the land, yet the Israelites lived as if this was all going to depend on them to accomplish. NEWS FLASH: God has already won the victory! What He says he will do, He will do! He is faithful!
We can get so wrapped up in things and our circumstances around us that we forget that God has already promised to take lead us to a determined end. If we are going to be “Giant Killers” and not “Grasshoppers,” we have to remember the promises of God.”
Ok, one more!
- They were more concerned about their circumstances that they were God’s will.
In Numbers 13: 27-28 the Israelites said, “It is all like God promised it would be… It is good like God said… It is just as He promised…” And then they said, “But…” (vs. 28) . They recognized God’s will and then saw it in the light of their own circumstances (the people that were in the land) and they decided God’s will was just not worth it.
I know many people that have done the same thing. They think they want to follow God’s will until they see the circumstances around them as they step out to follow God. Then, they just decide it is not worth it to follow God’s plan for their life.
It is not always easy to follow God’s plan, but it is always worth it!
If we are going to be “Giant Killers” and not “Grasshoppers,” we have to focus God’s will, not the circumstances around us.
Let’s strive to live like Giant Killers, not Grasshoppers!
I had the privilege of winning a ticket yesterday thanks to Scott Hodge and the good people of The Orchard. My wife and I just had a discussion the night before on whether we would be able to go or not, and this sealed the deal! If you are considering it, make sure and get your ticket(s) before the end of the day on Thursday to take advantage of the best rates. Here is just a little taste of what the Catalyst One Day event is all about…
Early Bird deadline is THIS THURSDAY, January 28th. You can Register here.
