Have you ever noticed that every
church wants to emulate the details of success used by mega-churches around our
country? They often try and fail even when they use the same formulas and
ministries.
The members are discontent if
their church does not provide the same level of entertainment as these mega
churches; yet, they are unwilling to serve in areas that would help their
church to grow or to share the gospel with more people.
They criticize the leadership and
nag the Senior Pastor about their pet peeves. They fail to give a tithe of
their income and they go on more vacations and buy more "toys" than
their lifestyle can comfortably support.
What people fail to realize, the
leadership included, is that God gives each church a different personality,
mission purpose and anointing. In Revelation, Jesus sharply criticizes most of
the seven churches for not following His will for their ministry.
Unless the Lord builds the church,
we labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). We spin our wheels and live in constant
discontent, disillusionment and distraction. We get so caught up in the good
things that we fail to fulfill God's purpose for our church life.
The church leadership needs a
time of pray to develop their mission statement - not a catchy phrase to put on
publications and electronic media, but an actual mission statement from God.
As a unified group, once they
hear from God, they can equip the Saints for the work of their ministry (Ephesians
4:12-16). This allows the whole church to be on the same page with the same
focus and the same passion.
If church leadership or
ministries have divided or conflicting goals, the lack of unity will actually obstruct
their prayers (1 Peter 3:7). We are also hindered by the end time mindset by
which the love of many grows cold (Matthew 24:12).
However, there is still a remnant
of authentic Believers hungry for doing the will of God with their individual
and church family life. There is no price too great for them to pay in order to
further God's Kingdom on the earth.
Prayer:
Father God, inspire Your
authentic Believers who are gathered in local church bodies around the world to
do Your will in their community. You may not want a particular church to be
big; but You always equip it to be effective in reaching the people in its
church field.
Help us to hear Your voice to
know what You are calling us to do as Your local church family in the area in
which You planted us. We do not want to spin our wheels, but we want to have
traction to serve in the areas in which You created and called us to minister
in Your name and according to Your will.
Thought for the Day:
God is calling us to put our time,
talent and energy into true religion rather than programs and superfluous
ministries that do not impact His Kingdom or change lives. - James 1:27
