HeartQuest 101

King’s Grant Baptist Church is getting ready for Operation Inasmuch, the sixth year for the community impact project. This year we are partnering with the Union Mission in Norfolk. John Gray from the Union Mission will be our guest this Sunday (August 30), informing the congregation about the needs and wonderful opportunities for service at the Union Mission.

Why is it that we would serve others in this sort of way? Americans do a lot of volunteer work and churches top the list as the place where volunteering happens. The mission of King’s Grant is to Know Christ and Make Him Known; meaning we are to love and serve God as well as love and serve others. That’s not surprising because Jesus spoke often of the importance of loving and serving others; throughout the Bible God shows a bias toward the poor and a concern for their needs. As followers of Christ, we, too, should have a heart for the poor. We can give money to charities that help the poor, but, in addition, we benefit when we get personally involved. Your opportunity to get involved with “the least of these” is October 17.

Psychiatrist Carl Menninger was asked one time what someone should do when they feel on the verge of a breakdown. Menninger answered, “Lock your house, go across the railroad tracks, find someone in need and do something for him.” I found some other quotes on service worth sharing…

• In a conference, I’ve heard John Maxwell say, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” 
• I don’t know who said it, but how about, “life is a lot like the game of tennis, those who don’t serve well, end up losing.”
• Peter Marshall once said, “”The measure of life is not in its duration, but in its donation.  Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” 
• Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget.  Teach me and I remember.  Involve me and I learn.”

Let’s learn by doing what the Bible says. Acts 20:35 says, “We must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” We all need to ask ourselves regularly, “When was the last time I spoke up for, or did something to help someone in need?” Mark your calendar for October 17, and get involved. 

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The Men of Steel get together on a regular basis for fellowship, service projects, biblical inspiration and sharing life. We can become better men, husbands and fathers by holding each other accountable and encouraging one another. I thought about King David, since he is the current topic of my Sunday Bible study class, and thought I’d share these insights from Second Samuel: 

1. How many times has David been anointed king? 2 Samuel 5:3, (see also 1 Samuel 16:13 and 2 Samuel 2:4)
2. How long does David rule over Israel and Judah together? 2 Samuel 5:5
3. Who occupies Jerusalem before David takes the city? 2 Samuel 5:6
4. How does David get in to the city? 2 Samuel 5:8 (I love how he takes the fortress)
5. Why does Uzzah die during the March to Jerusalem? 2 Samuel 6:6-7
   • How does David respond to Uzzah’s death? 2 Samuel 6:8-10
   • What changes are made in bringing the ark for the second time? 2 Samuel 6:13 (notice the “bearers” and the sacrifice, compared to 2 Samuel 6:3)
6. How does David’s wife react to his dancing before the Lord with all his might? 2 Samuel 6:16 (What might this suggest?)
   • Lesson 1 – The King was not immune to marriage troubles.
   • Lesson 2 – Other people cannot limit our expression of love and devotion toward God.
7. Who was Nathan? 2 Samuel 7:2
8. What does David say to Nathan? 2 Samuel 7:2 (sort of a, “what’s wrong with this picture” moment)
   • How is Nathan presumptuous? 2 Samuel 7:3
     1. Lesson 1 – Don’t assume every bright and noble idea is from God.
     2. Lesson 2 – Don’t assume that a godly leader (whom God has chosen) is always right.
   • What does the Lord promise David? 2 Samuel 7:10
9. Who does the Lord say will build God’s house? 2 Samuel 7:12-13
   • Why not David? 1 Kings 5:3 and 1 Chronicles 22:8
   • An interesting twist: instead of David building a house for the Lord, the Lord builds a house for David! 2 Samuel 7:11, 16
   • Is this Davidic Covenant conditional or unconditional? 2 Samuel 7:13-16
   • How does David respond? 2 Samuel 7:18
10. Who does David conquer during his reign over Israel and Judah? 2 Samuel 8:11-12 (this is called the expansion of the kingdom) How often did the Lord help David? 2 Samuel 8:6,14
    • Lesson 1 – God would give rest when the nation was obedient on the battlefield.
    • Lesson 2 – There was hope in that the nations where to be subservient, not totally destroyed or wiped out.
    • Lesson 3 – David never forgot the source of his strength. 2 Samuel 8:11
    • Lesson 4 – Fulfillment of his calling, 2 Samuel 8:15, the Christ nearly 1000 years later.
11. Can we conclude that David had an adequate judicial system? 2 Samuel 8:15
    • Debatable, the lack of a system is the main reason for Absalom’s revolt, 2 Samuel 15:4
    • David’s sons were chief ministers. 2 Samuel 8:18
12. Who was the royal recorder during David’s reign? 2 Samuel 8:17 (I love this guy’s name)
13. Who is the servant of Saul that David locates? 2 Samuel 9:2
14. How does she help David? 2 Samuel 9:3, then what does David demonstrate…?
    • David shows kindness, 2 Samuel 9:1, 7 (Romans 2:4)
    • David initiates the relationship, 2 Samuel 9:4 (Romans 5:8)
    • David accepts the son, just as he is, 2 Samuel 9:3, 7 (Philippians 1:6)
    • David demonstrates a calming spirit, 2 Samuel 9:7 (Ephesians 2:14)
    • David offers reconciliation and restoration, 2 Samuel 9:9, Psalm 23:3 (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
    • There’s always room for more in the palace, 2 Samuel 9:10 (2 Peter 3:9)
15. Why does David send his servants to Hanun, king of the Ammonites? 2 Samuel 10:1-2
16. How does Hanun treat the servants? 2 Samuel 10:4 (too funny, we can laugh now, but such a vivid picture), but we can learn…
    • Lesson 1 – David shows active sympathy for the suffering, 2 Samuel 10:2
    • Lesson 2 – David’s intentions were misunderstood, 2 Samuel 10:3, 5
    • Lesson 3 – David is fiercely loyal and protective to his people, 2 Samuel 10:5
    • Lesson 4 – David took on their enemy himself, sending Joab and his mighty men, 2 Samuel 10:7
17. What is the outcome of the inevitable battle? 2 Samuel 10:13-14

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I’ve just finished the Paul D. Borden book, Direct Hit, and wanted to share many of the quotes from the book. The staff at King’s Grant is reading this together, and our pastor is currently involved with the Great Commission Breakthrough Cluster, and group of local pastors that are a part of this church growth strategy sponsored by the Norfolk Area Baptist Association.

Can We Get Some Help Here?

Many churches want the “results of change but are unwilling to do what it takes to get the results.”

“The consumer expects to have expectations met; if they are not met, the consumer will either go somewhere else or will stop shopping.”

Many people view the church as a weekly refuge from the world rather than as a “mission outpost designed to reach lost people.”

“The best medicine for those facing hurt is to become involved in effective ministry… hurt is often healed when we are no longer focusing on our own pain but on the needs of others.”

“Many competent pastors live under condemnation because of the incompetent pastors who came before them.” Others cannot lead systemic change because God has not given them the gifts to do so.

Churches need consultation, “it is more a matter of helping the leaders become better at what they are doing, and, in some cases, helping them find more leaders or staff who will compliment those already there.”

“An intervention is different from a consultation in that an interventionist knows that from the start that the job is to lead systemic change, helping to set aside the current system and replace it with one that is mission and vision driven. It often means devising strategies to remove the currect congregational bosses.”

There is a “line in the sand” weekend, then a year-long relationship with an outsider, to gain insights into the congregation’s five biggest strengths, five weaknesses and five prescriptions that require implementation.

“If we determine that [the pastor or staff] is the primary reason that the congregation is not growing, I ask whether the pastor is willing to resign… if the pastor is not willing to risk, then the congregation cannot be asked to risk.” Many will likely need to resign since it is under their watch the congregation has declined.

“Most unhealthy congregations are in a cycle of decline because of incompetent and/or untrained pastors and laity who want to control the congregation out of their need for significance rather than to focus outward… These pastors often build their empire under the guise of deep spirituality.” Abusive pastors cannot handle turning over control to the people.

It’s Time to Really Move

It is time to look at everything the congregation has in print, to focus on the message, vision and purpose of the congregation. There needs to be a ministry audit, to eliminate anything that does not live up to the mission and vision of the congregation. There is also a need to establish new leadership.

“Structure never changes first. If the primary focus is on structure, all changes will be like lightning rods that attract chaos from those wanting to stop change.” Therefore the congregation must implement a new vision and new mission… congregational structures reflect how the three basic values (power, turf and money) are handled.”

People need to “step down from their positions if they do not meet their goals on a consistent basis.” All staff members must accept three goals…

1. the number of new disciples brought to Jesus under their ministry,
2. the number of new people that each staff member will train to be involved in his or her ministry this year,
3. specific numbers or percentages by which that staff member’s ministry will grow during the year.

The pastor’s new role centers on leadership rather than chaplaincy, caring for the congregation. He is seen as the spiritual leader, but “moves toward being the leader of a well-organized organism called the congregation.” He is the “keeper of the mission and caster of the vision.” He is to create a new urgency for the mission.  He is also the developer of new leaders, who turns much of the ministry over to the laity. The pastor becomes “an expert on media and the use of media in sermons.” Methods and content of preaching must change when moving from pastor as chaplain to pastor as leader.

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This is a message that I preached at King’s Grant Baptist Church. As children, we often look for ways to be disobedient, and dealing with God there is often no difference. From the life of Pharaoh, we can learn six creative ways to disobey God…

Postponed Obedience – Exodus 8:1-15 – Put it off until tomorrow

1. Water into blood did not work, so here comes plague #2
2. Frogs are everywhere – (Exodus 8:3) – in your house, your bedroom, your bed, the houses of your servants, on your people, in your ovens and kneading bowls; covering the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:6).
3. Magicians’ response – (Exodus 8:7) – more of the same, status quo
4. Moses’ response – (Exodus 8:9) – empowering others to make decisions
5. Monarch’s response – (Exodus 8:10) – “tomorrow” = procrastination
6. Knowing what to do and waiting until some other day is the same as disobedience; just as deciding later is really a decision not to.

Practical Obedience – Exodus 8:25 – We rationalize in order to do what we want.

1. What we want to do is more practical and doable than what God wants us to do, sacrifice within the land… 
   • There are dangers outside of Egypt, and I can’t protect you. 
   • There are logistical problems in moving so many people so far away. 
   • There are old people and infants, it will be a hard trip on all the people, I care about them.
2. We often desire to walk by sight rather than by faith
3. Another example is King Saul:
   • 1 Sam 13:8-13 – performing the sacrifice when Samuel was late. 
   • 1 Sam 15:9-11, 19-22 – sparing King Agag, the people taking the spoil to sacrifice to God. To obey is better than sacrifice!
4. Doing what is practical may be nothing more than disobedience. Obedience may not be doing what is practical, but doing the will of God!

Partial Obedience – Exodus 8:28 – I’ll go so far and that’s good enough

1. We must go three days into the wilderness (Exodus 8:27)
2. “I will let you go, just don’t go far away” (Exodus 8:28)
3. Moses says it’s not good enough and sends the plague of flies (Exodus 8:29)
4. What has God called you to do and you tell him that you will go so far and no more?
   • I’ll give to your kingdom, but not sacrificial giving
   • I’ll go to a Sunday school class, but not teach anywhere
   • I’ll hand out bulletins on Sunday but not hand out meals at the shelter
   • I’ll teach an adult class but I won’t serve in the preschool or children’s areas
   • I’ll pray for missions but not give to missions
   • I’ll give to missions but will not go on a mission trip
   • I’ll invite people to church but not share my faith with people
   • I’ll sing in the congregation but not in the choir
5. e. How do you define where to draw the line – to obey or not?

Pivotal Obedience – Exodus 9:34-35 – I surrender all, and then change my mind and take it all back

1. The hail came down until Pharaoh admitted that his people were the wicked ones (Exodus 9:27)
2. Pharaoh was in a tough spot; “Pray to the Lord for the hail to stop and I’ll let your people go” (Exodus 9:28)
3. Moses said he would stop the hail as soon as he was out of the city (Exodus 9:29)
4. The thunder and hail stopped, and Pharaoh changed his mind (Exodus 9:34-35)
5. How many times has this happened in life?
   • I forgot I had a test today, God help me to pass, and I’ll do anything you want…
   • We promise God all sorts of things if only I can get that promotion: If you get me the promotion… I’ll start tithing, I’ll be more faithful in church attendance, I’ll serve on a few committees.
   • We make a vow when we pray for a family member to be healed
   • Please God get me out of this mess and I’ll serve you faithfully
6. This method of disobedience is basically lying to God!

Parental Obedience – Exodus 10:10 – the men and parents may go to serve the Lord but not the children

1. Some time after Pharaoh goes back on his offer to let them go, Moses is asked, “Who are the ones going? (Exodus 10:8)
2. With our young and old, our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds! (Exodus 10:9)
3. Pharaoh said to take only the men (Exodus 10:11) which is unacceptable to Moses
4. God wants all of us involved in his mission in the world.
   • It’s not just for men, all people are called to salvation and service
   • It’s not just for the women, so often men feel that Christians follow a wimpy Jesus always talking about love, rather than a manly Jesus who was a skilled craftsman & carpenter, with strong morals, firm convictions, strong social skills.
   • He attracted people to his message and held them with a charismatic personality where men wanted to follow him, and eventually gave their lives for his mission.
   • Children and youth may very well say that Christian service is for my parents, not me. I have too much to do right now, I’ll serve him later. God can’t use me, I’m just a youth Think about the call of Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:5 or Timothy – 1 Timothy 4:12 – let no one look down on your youthfulness… 
     • Be an example to others, perhaps older people (1 Timothy 4:13)
     • Read and teach the Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)
     • Exercise your spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:14)
     • Live out loud where people see your progress (1 Timothy 4:15)
     • Persevere is sharing the message of salvation (1 Timothy 4:16)
5. How often do young people feel that it is the older generation’s responsibility to serve the Lord?

Phony Obedience – Exodus 10:17 – Going to church with no real conviction, and a false sense of security

1. After the locusts Pharaoh had enough, he declares to Moses and Aaron that he has sinned against God and them (16)
2. He begs forgiveness (just this once) and their prayers, to remove this death from him (17)
3. Pharaoh makes some sort of phony confession with intent of not following through; he hardens his own heart in 10:20.
4. It may look good on the outside but God is not fool with such phony foolishness.
   • A youth wants to date a Christian girl so he makes his confession
   • A woman does not want to loose her potential finance’ so she attends church with him
   • A prisoner before his parole board claims to now be a believer
   • A businessman wants to increase his business through church people so he joins the church to make contacts
   • A husband has a brush with death and he vows to be in church from now on
5. e. Jesus said…
   • That a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16)
   • If you love me you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)
   • Not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom (Matthew 7:21) EVEN those who served him and performed miracles; depart from me I never knew you (Matthew 7:22-23)
6. Remember that Samuel told Saul that to “obey is better than sacrifice.” We cannot go through religious motions, playing games with God. “A call to come to Christ is a call to come and die” (Dietrich Bonheoffer). That’s not a popular message, but Jesus is the Lord and is to be obeyed or he may very well say to us, “I never knew you.”
7. Look over the list of creative ways to disobey God. What is your favorite excuse? How are you going to get right with God? Don’t wait until tomorrow!

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I’ve been wondering and asking a few questions about life… you ever do that? Since we, as Christians, talk about our hope being in Christ, (1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 1:12, 2:12, Philippians 1:20, Colossians 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Timothy 1:1, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 3:6, 1 Peter 1:3, 13, 3:15), what do I really hope for? Take a look at what I found in 2 Corinthians 5:

I hope that I long for heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1, 2-3, 4-5). Do I look forward to the time when the Father calls me home and I can dwell in the place that Christ has prepared for me (John 14:3)? Am I doing all that I can to help others make it into heaven? Do I allow the Holy Spirit to remind me every day of my mission and purpose on this earth?

I hope that I have the courage to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:6-7). Do I see that there’s more to this life than just living or existing? Do I see God at work around me and through me and my church? Am I confident and willing to takes steps of faith even when I cannot see? Will I still believe even when the burden of life gets so heavy that I doubt and question the reality of Christ and what He’s done for the world and for me?

I hope that my goal is to always please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). Do I think about Christ when I’m making decisions? Do I really ask the question “What Would Jesus Do?” and mean it? When sin tempts me to follow after it, am I reminded of the sacrifice of Christ for my soul, and that He set me free from the slavery of sin? Do I act in order to receive applause from Jesus or applause from men?

I hope that my actions on earth will reap a reward rather than condemnation (2 Corinthians 5:10). Do I act upon thoughts of compassion for others, or keep it to myself? Do I believe that I am the answer to someone’s cry for help or do I expect someone else to step up? Do I really believe that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) are the mission and purpose of God?

I hope that my understanding of God will continue to grow (2 Corinthians 5:11 NLT). Do I have a high view of who God is? Do my theological convictions match my actions and words? Do I always look for God within a situation, even when it has been hurtful? Do I realize that I cannot conduct my ministry without His guidance and direction? Do I lean of God as I seek to persuade others about Christ?

I hope that my ministry is all about Him and not about me (2 Corinthians 5:12). Do I give God the credit due Him for the things I do in His name? Do I recognize that nothing good dwells in me (Romans 7:18) and that I am strong only when I am weak (2 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 1:27)? Do I remember that it is through my weakness that the power of God is unleashed (2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 15:43, Hebrew 11:34)?

I hope that I will never be considered normal (2 Corinthians 5:13). Do those in the world think I am crazy about Jesus? Do they think that I am just crazy? Do I stand firm that it is logical and rational to believe there is a God who created the universe and that Christ was raised from the dead? Can I give all men a reason for the hope that is in me (1 Peter 3:15)? Do I demonstrate my dependence in an age of radical independence?

I hope the love of Christ controls me (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Do I always seek the most loving thing to do, or say? Do I remember that it is because of the love of Christ that He died and that I was also crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20)? Do I have the needs of a lost world on my heart, so that love compels me to be a positive witness for Christ? Do I live for myself or do I live for others or for Christ? Do I make Jesus a part of my life or do I make Him my life?

I hope I see other people as God sees them (2 Corinthians 5:16). Do I have a God perspective on the lostness of the world? Do I see hurting people all around me and respond as an ambassador for Christ? Am I helping believers around me to see people as God sees them, and act on behalf of the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40)?

I hope that my life and those in my congregation have experienced real life change (2 Corinthians 5:17). Transformation of life is what this earthly life is all about, so am I a changed person? Am I encouraging or helping others to change in ways that pleases God and brings Him honor and glory?

I hope that the mission of God is caught by all those at King’s Grant (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Do I understand that I am in the business of reconciliation? How can I get across to others the mission of God and cast a vision for what His mission is on the world?

I hope that I never get tired of the same old story of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21). Do I ever just read over some passages because I know the story? Do I read the Bible to connect with God or just to prepare for another lesson? Am I open to the leadership of the Spirit as I read His Word, and allow Him to guide my thoughts, beliefs and actions? Do I hear the voice of God speaking through the written words on the page?

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Mentoring requires people to be in communication, to be connected, in order for it to work. Perhaps an obvious fact, but I suppose many people feel that they can be mentored by remote control. It is true that we can be mentored through reading books, because there is a lot of information that we can learn from authors that we respect or have been in business for a long time, or model the type of spirituality or theology that we want to become more like them. But if we want real life transformation, we need to become accountable to another person that will keep us focused on our goals, and get in our face when we fall short.

I imagine that most Christians have no argument about being accountable to God. After all, He is our heavenly Father, He is perfect and He has the right to check up on us to see if we are on course. But these same people think being accountable to someone on earth is, to say the least, a touchy matter.

When you think about it, calling someone to account is an act of love. Forcing a protégé to open his life to a confidant who has earned the right to be heard can save marriages from divorce, churches from division, organizations from financial distress, and careers from ruin.

Mentors are also accountable to themselves. It requires that they become vulnerable, not hesitate to show weakness, admit when they are wrong, respond quickly to reproof, and even set an example to those on the outside who are watching.

What about accountability in the Bible? Take a look…

• Joseph was accountable to Potiphar.
• King Saul was accountable to Samuel the prophet.
• King David was accountable to Nathan the prophet.
• Daniel was accountable to God before his accountability to the king.
• Nehemiah was accountable to Artaxerxes the king.
• Jesus was accountable to the Father, and demonstrated it by submitting to the Father’s will.
• The Twelve were accountable to Jesus and also to each other.
• Paul and Silas were accountable to the church at Antioch.

When I think about accountability, I believe that we all need (at times) someone close enough to get in our faces and tell us what we need to hear. It may not be what we want to hear, but we need it to get back on track. Sometimes the truth hurts, but the truth in love is what we are called to do (Ephesians 4:15). A mentor’s wounds are those of a faithful friend. Not everyone has the right to climb into your life and offer rebuke; it is for those who have built this love relationship ahead of time.

I believe that people who are accountable to a mentor are serious about changing their behavior. I read about a study showing that employees who know they are being observed demonstrate a higher quality and quantity of work, knowing they will be held to account.

It’s not easy, mentors need wisdom in dealing with a variety of issues and problems. Remember that you don’t mentor alone. A mentor who sees his protégé stumble must invade that person’s private world.

• One to guide and encourage.
• One to also get in your face when you mess up.
• One who loves you too much to let you play with fire.
• Wisdom from the Proverbs 13:10, 13:14, 13:18, 13:20, 15:31

[ Here's more on mentoring ]

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I’ve just finished the Paul D. Borden book, Direct Hit, and wanted to share many of the quotes from the book. The staff at King’s Grant is reading this together, and our pastor is currently involved with the Great Commission Breakthrough Cluster, and group of local pastors that are a part of this church growth strategy sponsored by the Norfolk Area Baptist Association.

No One Does it Alone

“Healthy, growing, reproducing congregations, which reflect a very small minority of congregations in wealthy nations, and average, normal, dysfunctional congregations , which are the majority, are two very different cultures that cannot and will not exist together.”

“Healthy congregations are defined by sacrifice. They exist more for those who are currently not a part of the group… They are missional in nature… outwardly focused in orientation…” They organize themselves to accomplish the mission and are willing to change whatever organizational structure that inhibits the accomplishment of that mission.

“Dysfunctional congregations, on the other hand, despite all their rhetoric about sacrifice exist more for those who already rule the congregation than for those who are on the outside.” They are more inwardly focused, more institutional than missional, organized to conserve the status quo, and make only peripheral changes to adapt to new environments.

When recruiting new pastors, congregations often hide who they really are, believing that the congregation desires to reach out at all cost, and are seeking a pastor to lead in that change.

“Most pastoral tenures are short because new pastors quickly become old pastors when they realize that the recruitment rhetoric that appointed and lured them to the congregation was not much more than propaganda.”

Pastors desiring to lead real change in an established congregation “must realize they are signing up to lead not just a few battles but all-out war.” They fail in this war because “they have too few officers and are usually outsmarted by better generals who are fighting on their home turf.”

Every congregation has a structure. “The formal structure states how things should be done, and the informal structure determines how most things get accomplished.”

“Many will talk of the need for change while doing everything in their power to inhibit it… When they realize that changes means loss of influence, they quickly turn and become the pastor’s adversary.”

Various teams need to be in place. The prayer team commits to pray regularly for changes that lead to health, growth and reproduction.” The pastor must find people “whose hearts are broken over the condition of the congregation and the needs of the community.” Praying corporately and not for individuals. They pray for great vision and motivation to do great things. They do prayer walks, map the community, and create lists of economic, social, political, educational needs of the community.

Team two develops ideas, full of people dissatisfied with the status quo, and is never more than ten members. They think creatively about ideas to reach the community. Often idea people are not the people to implement those ideas.

Team three develops personnel, making the team as large as possible, full of people who lead the change. The team must grow; growth is a sign of health. “Growth in any congregation comes in proportion to the number of groups that are started and the number of new leaders that are recruited and trained.”

The pastor shares his vision for the congregation and “must try to connect this person’s personal vision to what God wants to accomplish through the congregation.” People must be willing to give up personal goals and join God’s agenda, to fulfill the Great Commission.

Servant leadership “produces new disciples who in turn will join God’s mission.”

A missional audit determines how a “congregation’s ministries can be brought into alignment with the mission. If a ministry cannot be brought into alignment, it should be discarded.”

The pastor then trains others in the vision, and has to deal with structure and authority. Staff-led means someone has been provided with responsibility and given appropriate authority, and held accountable for the results.

When one tries to bring about systemic change, the real values of the congregation will surface: generally power, turf and money. The goal is to focus on the primary customers of the church, those who are not yet a part of the congregation.

Critical Mass is Critical

“Never take a knife to a gunfight.” The leader must spend time in creating urgency and casting vision. Then go into battle with a big enough army and the required number of officers. If there are not enough leaders, systemic change will fail.

“Only God brings life out of death, but God does not bring transformation until God’s people are praying, acting and behaving wisely, and willing to endure major suffering.”

Pastors get no credit for doing the obvious; visitation, preaching, etc, that’s what he’s paid to do. “They do not gain influence by doing what is expected.” To lead change, it is helpful to bring in a mentor or coach who has been through the same struggles.

“Building resources while preparing for systemic change is more like saving than investing. Developing leaders is a critical investment that will take time before a payoff. So the pastor and key leaders must now focus on building up their savings account, putting in small deposits at a time.” The leader must be seen as a trainer who makes disciples. The leaders must recognize workers, which pays great dividends and retains loyal workers.

“One way to deliver training is to e-mail materials or internet links that provide insight into specific areas of ministry.”

The pastor must model that which he desires to produce in the congregation, being willing to get out of his comfort zone to join God’s mission. Effective leaders do not ask followers to go somewhere that they have not gone, and would not go as leaders.

“People vote with their feet and their wallet.” If the money does not come in, they believe they will discourage the pastor and he will “lose support for the new changes he is seeking to implement.” That is why the pastor has been gathering financial resources over several years for the change effort.

“As the pastors gains more and more influence and more new people come, the congregational bosses realize that they will soon be outnumbered and outvoted, thus losing control.” This leads to passive-aggressive or even aggressive behaviors. The pastor must be gentle as a dove but wise as a serpent (Matthew 10:16).

“If you can’t stand the heat, don’t redo the kitchen.” The evil in our culture will rear its ugly head when the kingdom breaks out in new ways. Don’t be shocked when suffering occurs. Perhaps now we finally have the right enemies.

Jesus’ “followers must expect conflict when directing the church to act like the missionary culture that Jesus requires… remember that Peter lost his life by feeding sheep.”

“Ministry is accomplished in community.”

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Most men are pretty confident… in their work, personality, abilities, marriages, golf game and maybe even that their favorite baseball team is going to win the pennant this year. Men are also pretty confident when it comes to spiritual matters. Perhaps this comes out of an American desire to be self-sufficient. We often want to come to God on our own terms rather than come to Him on the terms He has already laid out. As long as I’m in church on Sunday, God can’t expect more out of me than that. I watch my language, don’t cheat in my business, and am faithful to my wife. Not bad stuff, but what is that one thing that you protect more than anything else?

When a relationship is broken, the only way to get back into a right relationship is to follow the remedy of the offended person. It works in real life because the repentant offender asks, “What can I do to make it up to you, for the bad thing that I have done to you?” Then hopefully the offended person will tell this person what is needed. Do we approach God the same way? Not really. We have offended God on a regular basis and then expect Him to approve of whatever we are willing to do in order to come back to Him on our own terms. We get out our list and tell God we will stop doing items 3, 6, 7, and 12, but the rest of my list is off the table. These are my terms. You should be pleased that I have made these concessions.

In Luke 18:18-30, there is a story of the Rich Young Ruler. Actually the “Rich Young Ruler” is not a guy we find in the Bible. Bible teachin’ pastor say what? He’s sort of a compilation of three stories in the synoptic gospels. Matthew tells us he was young (Matthew 19:22), Mark tells us he was a man with property (Mark 10:17, 22) and Luke mentions he was a ruler who was extremely rich (Luke 18:18, 23). It’s all the same story told from different perspectives. Mark and Luke don’t deny that he was young. Mark and Luke don’t deny that he was a ruler. An most of us would agree that property owners have a tendency to be rich.

People tend to believe that there may be a single act that could be done in order to secure one’s salvation… and this guy wanted to make sure he had done it. Jesus gives a short list of things that are good in God’s kingdom economy (Luke 18:20), and this guy was confident that he had been faithful (Luke 18:21). In reality, he failed miserably. He claimed to be a keeper of the commandments, but failed the first one, to have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3). Jesus goes straight to the point and so will I… in all the seemingly good that is a part of your life, what is the one thing that you have failed to do in order to follow Christ? If we don’t get started out on the right track, we end up lost at a totally unplanned destination. This guy was so sure, so confident, that he did not see the error of his way.

Jesus told him to sell all he had and give it to the poor. I have to admit that there is a tendency to think that Jesus is offering an alternate plan of salvation, to buy your way in, but look at the actual statement (Luke 18:22). At the end, Jesus tells him to “come, follow Me.” That’s the kicker. We can do a lot of good stuff on a regular basis but if we are not following Jesus, learning from Him, becoming a disciple of Jesus or a Christ follower, we are no different than the rich young ruler.

Now it’s self-examination time. What is your one thing? What prevents you from being sold out to Jesus? Have you become his follower, or just a believer? How are you growing spiritually and passing it on to others or to your children? Have you come to God on His terms rather than trying to come to Him on your own terms?

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