In all fields, there are lots of books on how to improve, grow and expand. Small businesses growing to big businesses. Leadership journals telling how to have more influence. Sales seminars that teach how to take a greater share of the market. How to grow your stock portfolio… the list of books and materials are vast. In the church world, it is no different. There is a whole segment of books and seminars all geared to what is called “the church growth movement.” “Top ten things you need to grow your church.” Slick flyers, cool logos, the coolest xyz in town… the list goes on and on.
These last few weeks I and several of our leaders have had the privilege of bringing the presence of God into some very challenging situations. Life is messy. People are messy. That makes ministry messy. If you are going to do ministry, meet people where they are at, and bring the presence of God into their hurting and seemingly hopeless situation, you are going to have to be real, authentic, there for them when it is not convenient to you and truly love them like Jesus does. You are going to have to roll up your sleeves.
I was joking with a few of Cornerstone’s leaders as we have been rolling up our sleeves, saying, “Well, there is nothing about this in the church growth books. If anything, this is not considered an efficient use of our time.” Getting messy, whether serving the poor or ministering to someone during a very difficult time, takes time and energy away from doing the stuff that the church growth materials say you should do. Much of this time will never be seen by the greater public. But isn’t getting messy being the kind of disciples we are called to be?
Don’t get me wrong—I want us to continue to grow. People do matter to God and the more people we have the opportunity to minister to, the greater the blessing. But I don’t want to be a mile wide and an inch deep. I am so proud of our community. I see so many people rolling up their sleeves and taking seriously the things of God. Our vision statement is, “Living and sharing the profound impact of God’s love in caring, creative and credible ways, so seekers and believers can reach their full potential in Christ.” The more we do that, the more we will grow into the kind of church God has called us to be.
Just a thought.
04-26-2007 |