It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged about this—here is my first and second posts on it if you forgot…
#3 - You Cannot Take People To A Place You’ve Never Been!
One of the things that I like to do is travel…but whenever I go somewhere new I am a little anxious because, well, I’ve never been there! (Duh!) However, the next time I go I am a little more relaxed and feel comfortable in giving direction to those around me. The same is true with my calling to ministry!
One of the mistakes I believe church planters/pastors often make is that we want our churches to go on incredible journeys with God—yet we are not personally on going on an incredible journey with God. We want to see our people grow closer to Jesus—yet we aren’t growing closer to Jesus.
And that just won’t work!
If you want God to lead your church to new places then you’ve got to understand that He wants to take you there first. If you want your church to get a fresh word from God then you need to beg Him for a fresh word for yourself.
If we are not being faithful in our personal walk with Christ then how in the world are we ever going to hear His voice in regards to the direction of the church and messages. I personally believe if we would spend more time on our faces before God and less time on the internet searching for sermon illustrations that God would continue to rock our worlds—AND the people in our church!
#4 - Have Fun!
Seriously, Christians (especially pastors/church leaders) are known for lots of things—but having fun is not one of them!
Ministry is TOUGH…and if we don’t take time to pull away and just have fun we can easily think that life is supposed to be miserable and difficult…and those who aren’t experiencing those things are “just in some sort of sinful lifestyle!”
One of the things the Lord has been revealing to me lately is that I need to have more fun…and so both in my personal life and my life at the church I am planning more things so that I can actually enjoy this life and ministry He has given me.
What’s in the works staff wise? Not sure…but I am seriously thinking about a HUGE staff dodge ball game! Yes, EVERYONE would be required to play—AND seriously, it could get very violent with as many competitive people as we have!!! (Staff members—YES, I am serious!)
Personally? I looking at going to Atlanta to drive a race car soon!!! (PRAY!) Also, I am probably going to be traveling to the ATL to see a comedian…never been to a live comedy show. AND I have a few other things in mind as well.
If what Jesus said in John 10:10 is true then Christians should be the most joyful, excited and FUN people on the planet—ESPECIALLY church leaders!!!
SO…what are you going to do for fun?
BTW—whenever I read Matthew 17:24-30 I laugh because I think this was Jesus having fun (AND yes, He was teaching an unforgettable lesson!!!)