After introducing such acceptable essential qualities as EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP, GIFT-ORIENTED MINISTRY, PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY and INSPIRING WORSHIP, today we must consider two qualities of living church that are riddled with clichés, dogmas, myths and errors, that cause most controversy in many churches.
Church Growth is inconceivable without EVANGELISM. Yet, there were mistakes made in the past by some who used “pushy” manipulative methods to get people into church. Many feel a strange sensation when we hear the word “evangelism.” Yet, “Evangelism” means bringing the good news to people in need, sharing this gospel in a way that meets the questions and wants of non-Christians. Gospel gives realism to the chaos of human longings, it orders lives, and gives purpose and direction in a world that has no vision of future.
Thus we must consider a NEED-ORIENTED EVANGELISM, and replace “manipulative programs” with addressing needs of already existing contacts, of those we associate and communicate daily. We must evangelize people on their terms and on their turf rather than on ours, going to them instead of expecting them to come to us. This is the essence of what Jesus meant when he declared “Go!” (Matthew 28:19). This is the model Jesus demonstrated when He was here on Earth. He was criticized by traditionalists for hanging out with sinners (Luke 15:2). This is what Paul meant when he “became all to all” (1st Corinthians 9:22).
A pen of inspiration described this type of Evangelism as: “Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me." (Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, 143)
On another occasion she commented that Jesus “sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried His instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts.-- (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, 151)
Instead of waiting the world to respond to our needs, we must respond to their needs, be “fishers” of people. Instead of using traditional comfortable methods that are not successful, in harmony with Jesus’ approach we will abandon traditional structures! Here I said it! Who cares for structures that are not functioning?
FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES is the criteria of evaluating our church life! Church structures are never and end in themselves, but only means. What ever is not functioning must be either changed and fixed to function, or laid to rest. The greatest resistance will come from traditionalism: “we’ve always done it that way.” Just remember that traditionalism was always the greatest factor of decline and arrested growth.
What do you care for – form and structure, or effectiveness and efficiency? Dead matter and living organisms are not distinguished much by their substances – but by their functionality of structures.
God has placed His Church here for a purpose, and if we are not fulfilling the purpose – there is no other reason for being. Organization was created to accomplish the mission. If it is not accomplishing the task set – it must be re-organized. Structures exist to function, and not to self-preserve. When mission becomes subservient to the organization – a dysfunctional system results. Dysfunctional structures is simply work of the devil. “Satan is ever working to have the service of God degenerate into dull form, and become powerless to save souls. While the energy, earnestness, and efficiency of the workers become deadened by the efforts to have everything so systematic, the taxing labor that must be done by our ministers to keep this complicated machinery in motion, engrosses so much time that the spiritual work is neglected. And with so many things to run, this work requires so large an amount of means that other branches of the work will wither and die for want of due attention.” (Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, 333)
Don’t confuse organizational structures with the doctrines of the church. When an existing structure becomes hindrance – it’s time to change the structure. Check your structures. Are they functional?
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Passionate Spirituality & Inspiring Worship
an you imagine a church without PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY of its members? Yet, churches that tend towards legalism report that the spiritual passion is below average… Jesus addressed church in Ephesus on this issue of losing its first love, losing its passionate spirituality. Same problem happens in Laodicea – legalism in stead of love. The disease of lukewarmness is exact opposite of what PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY is. Pure doctrine without love is nothing (1st Corinthians 13:1-3) Whenever a “defense of orthodoxy” replaces the expression of a passionate faith in Christ a rigid fanaticism, and not truly liberated passion will flourish.
The quality of this characteristic is examined when the prayer life of church is examined. These words come from the pen of inspiration: “Prayer will be no task to the soul that loves God; it will be a pleasure, a source of strength. Our hearts will be stayed upon God, and we shall say by our daily life, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (Ellen. G. White, Gospel Workers, 437). On another occasion she wrote concerning the upbring the young people: “When the gaze is fixed upon Jesus, the life finds its center. The enthusiasm, the generous devotion, the passionate ardor, of the youth find here their true object. Duty becomes a delight and sacrifice a pleasure. To honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for Him, is the life's highest ambition and its greatest joy.” (Education, 296).
Passionate Spirituality is the life of faith as a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Our faith is not a duty to endure, but a delight of a relationship longed for. If spending time with Jesus is a burden, then passionate spirituality is certainly lacking. It’s time to rekindle the flame of lost love for Jesus, and spend time in His presence.
We don’t want you coming to the church to do pastor, or God a favor. When you bring your PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY to the INSPIRING WORSHIP we join Heavens in the experience of praise. INSPIRING WORSHIP occurs when God has stirred our hearts all through the week. Yet, true worship is much more than just Sabbath convocation. “True worship consists in working together with Christ. Prayers, exhortation, and talk are cheap fruits, which are frequently tied on; but fruits that are manifested in good works, in caring for the needy, the fatherless, and widows, are genuine fruits, and grow naturally upon a good tree.” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, August 16, 1881).
Psalmist said “I was glad when they say to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ (Psalm 122:1). Just translate the constant praise of Angels in heaven as being in awe and saying WOW! In the presence of God. Remember that the qualitative adjective is INSPIRING, and it simply means the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Worship, for the inspiration has only one source.
Are you on fire? Have you been born from above?
The quality of this characteristic is examined when the prayer life of church is examined. These words come from the pen of inspiration: “Prayer will be no task to the soul that loves God; it will be a pleasure, a source of strength. Our hearts will be stayed upon God, and we shall say by our daily life, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." (Ellen. G. White, Gospel Workers, 437). On another occasion she wrote concerning the upbring the young people: “When the gaze is fixed upon Jesus, the life finds its center. The enthusiasm, the generous devotion, the passionate ardor, of the youth find here their true object. Duty becomes a delight and sacrifice a pleasure. To honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for Him, is the life's highest ambition and its greatest joy.” (Education, 296).
Passionate Spirituality is the life of faith as a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Our faith is not a duty to endure, but a delight of a relationship longed for. If spending time with Jesus is a burden, then passionate spirituality is certainly lacking. It’s time to rekindle the flame of lost love for Jesus, and spend time in His presence.
We don’t want you coming to the church to do pastor, or God a favor. When you bring your PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY to the INSPIRING WORSHIP we join Heavens in the experience of praise. INSPIRING WORSHIP occurs when God has stirred our hearts all through the week. Yet, true worship is much more than just Sabbath convocation. “True worship consists in working together with Christ. Prayers, exhortation, and talk are cheap fruits, which are frequently tied on; but fruits that are manifested in good works, in caring for the needy, the fatherless, and widows, are genuine fruits, and grow naturally upon a good tree.” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, August 16, 1881).
Psalmist said “I was glad when they say to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ (Psalm 122:1). Just translate the constant praise of Angels in heaven as being in awe and saying WOW! In the presence of God. Remember that the qualitative adjective is INSPIRING, and it simply means the presence of the Holy Spirit in our Worship, for the inspiration has only one source.
Are you on fire? Have you been born from above?
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Empowering Leadership & Gift-oriented Ministry
When you think of growing church, you are probably are thinking of a large church. Yet, in most cases existent large churches are not really growing, but maintaining their size through a “turnaround” of people. In most cases people are the “feed” for the system, instead of being the “product” of the system.
The key distinction of a truly healthy church that grows is in a LEADERSHIP that is EMPOWERING, where leaders do not use lay workers as “helpers” to attain their own goals and to fulfill their own vision. EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP means that the pyramid of authority is inverted and the Servant Leadership model is practiced, where leadership assists Christians to attain the spiritual potential God has for them. Instead of handling the bulk of church responsibilities on their own – they invest their time in discipling, delegating, training. The energy they invest in others is multiplied many times.
Apostle Paul challenged his protégé Timothy to train and empower others (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul outlined the whole purpose of pastors and leaders as empowering people for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4: 11-12).
Every church should be a training school for Christian workers… (Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 149)
Ministers should not do the work which belongs to the church, wearying themselves and preventing others from performing their duty. They should teach the members how to. (Ellen G. White, an Appeal in Review & Herald, October 12, 1886)
Every believer is a full-time minister. Everything we do in life should be done for God and be our ministry. Our church leaders are leaders only if they enable and empower every member to live life of ministry.
Members need to be equipped for their ministries based on the bestowal of spiritual gifts. This concept of GIFT-ORIENTED MINISTRY has always been upheld in our Church. We even framed it as one of our 27 fundamental beliefs. The outpouring of the Latter Rain will come in a manner of the Early Rain. Just as spiritual gifts were given on the day of Pentecost, more spiritual gifts are given in these days, when the Latter Rain is imminent. The importance of this doctrine was always urgent: “the greatest cause of our spiritual feebleness as a people, is the lack of real faith in Spiritual Gifts.” (Ellen G. White, an Appeal in Review & Herald, January 14, 1868) The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness. (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages. Vol.1. 127)
When Christians serve in their area of giftedness, they function less in their own strength and more in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are not an option but a vital necessity in Adventist Churches. The area of concern is not in identifying people’s gifts, but placing people in ministry that is in harmony with their spiritual giftedness, finding the niche, the right place for right people. A system must be developed to support people in their areas of giftedness, and to connect every ministry to the mission of the church. Becoming the Church of Ministers we are living up to the Reformation call, restoring Biblical teaching of the Priesthood of ALL believers (1st Peter 2:9).
Let’s grow together into disciples of Jesus, because this is the way He designed His work to be accomplished.
The key distinction of a truly healthy church that grows is in a LEADERSHIP that is EMPOWERING, where leaders do not use lay workers as “helpers” to attain their own goals and to fulfill their own vision. EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP means that the pyramid of authority is inverted and the Servant Leadership model is practiced, where leadership assists Christians to attain the spiritual potential God has for them. Instead of handling the bulk of church responsibilities on their own – they invest their time in discipling, delegating, training. The energy they invest in others is multiplied many times.
Apostle Paul challenged his protégé Timothy to train and empower others (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul outlined the whole purpose of pastors and leaders as empowering people for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4: 11-12).
Every church should be a training school for Christian workers… (Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 149)
Ministers should not do the work which belongs to the church, wearying themselves and preventing others from performing their duty. They should teach the members how to. (Ellen G. White, an Appeal in Review & Herald, October 12, 1886)
Every believer is a full-time minister. Everything we do in life should be done for God and be our ministry. Our church leaders are leaders only if they enable and empower every member to live life of ministry.
Members need to be equipped for their ministries based on the bestowal of spiritual gifts. This concept of GIFT-ORIENTED MINISTRY has always been upheld in our Church. We even framed it as one of our 27 fundamental beliefs. The outpouring of the Latter Rain will come in a manner of the Early Rain. Just as spiritual gifts were given on the day of Pentecost, more spiritual gifts are given in these days, when the Latter Rain is imminent. The importance of this doctrine was always urgent: “the greatest cause of our spiritual feebleness as a people, is the lack of real faith in Spiritual Gifts.” (Ellen G. White, an Appeal in Review & Herald, January 14, 1868) The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit. Uncalled for and unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness. (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages. Vol.1. 127)
When Christians serve in their area of giftedness, they function less in their own strength and more in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are not an option but a vital necessity in Adventist Churches. The area of concern is not in identifying people’s gifts, but placing people in ministry that is in harmony with their spiritual giftedness, finding the niche, the right place for right people. A system must be developed to support people in their areas of giftedness, and to connect every ministry to the mission of the church. Becoming the Church of Ministers we are living up to the Reformation call, restoring Biblical teaching of the Priesthood of ALL believers (1st Peter 2:9).
Let’s grow together into disciples of Jesus, because this is the way He designed His work to be accomplished.
Saturday, April 9, 2005
Church Health means Quality
By now I hope you have got these 8 quality characteristics of the healthy churches learned by heart and memorized. Right?
“Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God's ideal for His children. Godliness--godlikeness--is the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth.” (Ellen G. White, Education, 18-19)
All quality characteristic are important. However, some have a greater impact on others, and on growth. One of such is Holistic Small Groups. This factor affects spirituality, relationships, leadership, ministries and even evangelism.
As you reflect again on these essential characteristics, remember that the descriptive adjective here is the key. We will knowingly move our church to a higher level of quality, becoming better instruments for God’s use in His Kingdom.
“There is a wide field for the elders and the helpers in every church. They are to feed the flock of God with pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff, the poisonous mixture of error. You who have any part to act in the church of God, be sure that you act wisely in feeding the flock of God; for its prosperity much depends upon the quality of this food.” (Ellen G. White, 7th Volume of the SDA Bible Commentary, 942)
As I read Isaiah 6: 9-10 recently, I began to realize that our unwillingness to change numbs our minds to understand. We won’t understand if we rule out change, for understanding always leads to change. The spirit of True wisdom, knowledge and understanding is from God alone. These are Divine attributes (Isaiah 11:2). Seek God’s Spirit as we go through this process of change, learn and inquire about ways of God.
- Inspiring WORSHIP
- Empowering LEADERSHIP.
- Need oriented EVANGELISM.
- Loving RELATIONSHIPS.
- Passionate SPIRITUALITY.
- Functional STRUCTURES.
- Gift oriented MINISTRIES.
- Holistic COMMUNITY GROUPS.
“Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God's ideal for His children. Godliness--godlikeness--is the goal to be reached. Before the student there is opened a path of continual progress. He has an object to achieve, a standard to attain, that includes everything good, and pure, and noble. He will advance as fast and as far as possible in every branch of true knowledge. But his efforts will be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal interests as the heavens are higher than the earth.” (Ellen G. White, Education, 18-19)
All quality characteristic are important. However, some have a greater impact on others, and on growth. One of such is Holistic Small Groups. This factor affects spirituality, relationships, leadership, ministries and even evangelism.
As you reflect again on these essential characteristics, remember that the descriptive adjective here is the key. We will knowingly move our church to a higher level of quality, becoming better instruments for God’s use in His Kingdom.
“There is a wide field for the elders and the helpers in every church. They are to feed the flock of God with pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff, the poisonous mixture of error. You who have any part to act in the church of God, be sure that you act wisely in feeding the flock of God; for its prosperity much depends upon the quality of this food.” (Ellen G. White, 7th Volume of the SDA Bible Commentary, 942)
As I read Isaiah 6: 9-10 recently, I began to realize that our unwillingness to change numbs our minds to understand. We won’t understand if we rule out change, for understanding always leads to change. The spirit of True wisdom, knowledge and understanding is from God alone. These are Divine attributes (Isaiah 11:2). Seek God’s Spirit as we go through this process of change, learn and inquire about ways of God.
Saturday, April 2, 2005
Introducing Diagnostic Survey
For the past 2 weeks I’ve been sharing with you about the essential aspects of church life that reflect the health of the church.
The premise of Natural Church Development (NCD) is that as obstacles to growth are removed, the church will naturally grow as God has given it the ability to grow. A comparison can be made to a plant. If you plant in poor, rocky soil, provide very little sunlight and no water, the plant will not grow. If you remove the rocks, provide good soil, adequate sunlight and water, the plant will naturally grow, as God has given it the ability to grow.
The leadership of your church will involve all congregation in this process of revival. The initial stage will be introduced May 7, by giving questioners to church family members. Questionnaires are filled out by 30 randomly selected active, involved lay persons and by the pastor. The data from these questionnaires is entered into a computer program with a special connection that enables this data to be compared to the data previously entered from ALL the Christian churches in the Canada, and all the Adventist Churches in North America, that have ever taken the survey. The results are then computed and given to the church, so everyone can easily see their corporate strengths and weaknesses in each of these eight areas.
It is our objective to become more healthy and more effective in our ministries within the congregation and within the community we serve. And remember, these 8 quality characteristics are achieved only in coming close to the center – closer to Lord Jesus Christ.
- Inspiring genuine and participatory WORSHIP becomes reality
- Empowering, directing and spiritual LEADERSHIP.
- Need oriented strategic EVANGELISM.
- Loving, lasting and significant RELATIONSHIPS.
- Passionate personal SPIRITUALITY.
- Effective and functional STRUCTURES.
- Gift oriented stewardship MINISTRIES.
- Community developed through HOLISTIC GROUPS.
The premise of Natural Church Development (NCD) is that as obstacles to growth are removed, the church will naturally grow as God has given it the ability to grow. A comparison can be made to a plant. If you plant in poor, rocky soil, provide very little sunlight and no water, the plant will not grow. If you remove the rocks, provide good soil, adequate sunlight and water, the plant will naturally grow, as God has given it the ability to grow.
The leadership of your church will involve all congregation in this process of revival. The initial stage will be introduced May 7, by giving questioners to church family members. Questionnaires are filled out by 30 randomly selected active, involved lay persons and by the pastor. The data from these questionnaires is entered into a computer program with a special connection that enables this data to be compared to the data previously entered from ALL the Christian churches in the Canada, and all the Adventist Churches in North America, that have ever taken the survey. The results are then computed and given to the church, so everyone can easily see their corporate strengths and weaknesses in each of these eight areas.
It is our objective to become more healthy and more effective in our ministries within the congregation and within the community we serve. And remember, these 8 quality characteristics are achieved only in coming close to the center – closer to Lord Jesus Christ.
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