Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus,
Don't all of these "programs," "projects" and "plans" seem rather contrived? What Father has been showing me over the past few years is that His church is not in need of management of programming in order to grow and be successful. It simply requires faithful participation. The church of Jesus is an organic living thing that grows as the Head directs it.
We should be praying for growth and praying for us to see what Father is doing so we can join Him in His work, but to "program" it seems to be out of step with what Father desires. Our direct command was to make disciples. Jesus gave us the supreme example of how to do that. He didn't make up acronyms or programs to accomplish this. He simply lived His life in full obedience to Father and His direction. Jesus lived each day ready to speak Truth into the life of any person He encountered. He never encouraged any of His disciples to think up crafty ways to make disciples.
As a former paid church staffer, I fully know what happens when the church begins implementing seemingly "good" programs to accomplish biblical goals. They seem innocent and good in the beginning, but eventually they begin to be the very goal. Hence institutional church-ianity in America today.
As we together work to see Jesus be lifted up and His kingdom grow, my prayer is that we simply be open to the direction of Jesus each day, in each relationship, in each encounter without trying to affect the growth by our own efforts.
Simply,
Jason
1 comments:
Jason,
Your words are oh so true. I'd like to offer my "prayer for church leaders":
Dear God,
Please open my eyes and help me to fully understand the church leader warning in [James 3;1-18]. To understand that not many should become church leaders. Give us the humility to recognize that one persons words can never be sufficient for a worship gathering, because no one can tame his tongue. [Worship gatherings require 2 or 3 teachers 1 Cor 14;29-31]. Help me to do good works with the humility that comes from wisdom, never even considering self ambition or jealousy, but rather yielding to others.
Keep us from using worldly authority, from lording over others, and make us into the servant slave leaders that you require for your flock [NLT Mat 20;25-28].
Turn us from worldly wisdom and keep us from collecting followers, remembering that the wisdom of this world is foolishness to you. Turn us from our allegiance to these worldly church organizations. Return our spiritual sight, return us to our assignment, to be obedient followers of Christ and his Holy Spirit, helping and serving others, feeding the hungry, giving to the poor, and helping the weak.
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
http://thebigpicmin.wordpress.com/2009/06/03/godly-church-leaders-prayer/
http://thebigpicmin.wordpress.com/2009/03/14/seeing-straight-seeing-with-spiritual-eyes/
If the Lord wills, may all who know him hear the call to spearate.
Amen Glenn
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