A few more things to go in this series of posts in regards to the question church planters ask me, “What do you wish someone would have told you before you began?”
#6 - NEVER, I MEAN EVER, APOLOGIZE FOR PASSION!
One of the things missing among most Americans, especially the ones in the church, is passion!
I heard a speaker say once, “In our country we don’t dance, we don’t sing…we don’t even sin with very much enthusiasm anymore.”
AND, unfortunately, when someone does have passion, especially in relation to Jesus and/or the church—they are labeled as nuts and freaks. (When, if the same person were passionate about Oprah or NASCAR then, for SOME reason, that would be acceptable.)
I’ve met many young church planters FULL of passion…they dream big dreams, pray huge prayers and refuse to shut up about the vision that God has given them…which, unfortunately, threatens some “Christians” who do not want to be a part of a movement of God.
For some reason, if a pastor or church leader shows passion, it seems to be completely unacceptable. (I am not talking about the “non-Christian media,” I am talking about other Christians!!!)
One of the things that people have taken jabs at me for in the past is my passion. AND…that is fair, especially for the ones from church backgrounds because (JUST BEING HONEST) most pastors lack passion to do great things for God—instead they want to keep the sheep happy and somehow catch the attention of the church with a few more hundred members in the next town.
Pastors want “nice” church services…ones that are designed with everyone in mind except for Jesus. BUT—I’ve always said—if Christians (especially pastors) actually BELIEVED that the TOMB is EMPTY—it would show!!!
Churches don’t need men who carry around resumes in their briefcases, looking for the next best thing. (I literally saw this in seminary—nearly every pastor had a resume!) They need men FULL of passion and vision—men set on fire by God—ones who feel like they will explode unless they do & say what God has commanded—and are SO dedicated to it that, if they have to go at it alone—they will!
I have made many mistakes as a leader—and the list is LONG of the things that I regret doing; however, I do not EVER regret the passion in which I have pursued all that God has called me to do.
I REFUSE to be complacent about the church—GOD’S CHURCH! All through Scripture we see a passionate God with an incredible message—people who hear His voice and follow are SET FREE…and for some reason I just think THAT should excite us more than a young man carrying a pig skin across a painted white line.
The church was God’s idea…and personally, I believe in it with all my heart. I believe the message of Jesus Christ exchanging places with me and paying for my sin is THE single greatest news on the planet—and I absolutely REFUSE to allow non passionate people to quench the fire God has placed inside of me. (Jeremiah 20:9)
The book of Revelation is FILLED with passion—passionate WORSHIP (and it’s LOUD)—passionate people—AND a passionate God who finally separates those who have responded to His knock from those who have not. (Revelation 3:20)
This thing inside of me…the vision that God has given me for NewSpring…it’s not mine, I could have NEVER thought this up. BUT now that He’s placed it in me—IT BURNS…and so when I speak of the church and the vision…I cannot help but be filled with passion.
Never, I mean ever apologize for passion. The world does not need anymore pastors and church leaders who merely desire to marry, bury, dress to please everyone and try their best to sit on important denominational committees that accomplish NOTHING for the Kingdom…the world needs churches with men and women FULL of passion, who actually believe that God loves people and sent His Son Jesus to prove it…and do EVERYTHING it takes to get that message out!
WOW…I’m fired up…I need to go scream!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!