Are you a person who likes to get things done? To cross things of the list? If you don’t accomplish a certain quota of tasks do you get frustrated? Do you feel like a failure? Like your day was wasted? Are you the kind of person who likes to measure progress and see results?
A healthy number of leaders are task oriented. They like to see things get done. Unfortunately, this desire for productivity can lead to creating and living in an illusion of accomplishment. The hunger for productivity can lead to the trap of meaningless busyness.
What is productivity in mission and ministry? Is it simply keeping up and catching up? You know how it goes: you work to keep the e-mail inbox clear; you try to keep up with snail mail and reports, you keep your website up to date, you compose your latest blog, you return phone calls, you scramble to meetings, you outline strategic plans, you make sure worship services are set to go, you communicate with church leaders and staff, you set up for your next event. Work, work, work. Busy, busy, busy.
But is it productive? These are good things, but at the center of mission and ministry are people. The ultimate measure of productivity in the church is redemptive relationships. Who is lost but now is being found? Who is weak, but now is being strengthened? Who is idle, but now is being equipped and sent out? Who is hopeless, but now is being brought to the Shepherd of their souls?
When I was serving a mission church in suburban Chicago, there were stretches of time when all I seemed to do was spend hours on the phone with people, handle walk-ins, go to hospitals and nursing homes, and spend time meeting people in the community. On some days I felt like I got nothing done! But a few years before that season of ministry, I determined that my number one priority in ministry would be people. Even though I felt as if I never kept up with all the tasks, I was going to connect with people. It felt completely unproductive at times, but God showed me otherwise.
Every month I visited a woman who was bedridden because of severe arthritis. Her sister and brother-in-law took care of her. We talked, drank 7-Up, laughed, prayed and celebrated God’s gifts. It took most of the afternoon. I loved this dear lady and her family, but sometimes I wondered if this was a productive use of time. God showed me it was. In addition to caring for a dear and precious child of God who had no other access to Christian fellowship, this sweet lady and her family had a network of family and friends who I got to know gradually. The synergy of our relationship resulted in remarkable opportunities for witness, consolation, and service to the Lord. God showed me that, ultimately, relationships move the Kingdom forward.
I’ll never forget how meeting a homeless man connected me to a Roman Catholic nun, who connected me with a network of community leaders, who ultimately banded together to reach several key high-risk and high-need areas of the community, allowing me to bring Christ to thousands of at-risk young people and disenfranchised adults. What seemed like a distraction from productivity resulted in the most productive Kingdom work ever.
How could I miss this simple truth? How could I think that a list of tasks and an empty e-mail inbox rivaled relationships with others? After all, Jesus spent time with people. He sought relationships. His web of people connections opened the door of new life for thousands. And Jesus still seeks people.
I am in full support of responsible administration and organizational leadership. I hope that every servant of Christ is able to get certain things done in a timely way. But what if you started to measure your productivity in terms of relationships? What if you reserved large chunks of time to see what the synergy of redemptive relationships can accomplish? What if you redefined productivity and reveled in its new freedom and opportunities?
(Church Planting Series, Part thirty-five)
Showing posts with label Priorities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Priorities. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mere Church Plantery
Church Planting Series, Part fourteen
C.S. Lewis published “Mere Christianity” in 1952. The book was based on radio talks he gave in the 1940’s. These talks outlined the basic fundamentals of the Christian faith.
What if there was a “Mere Church Plantery” book? What essentials of church planting might be included?
PASSION – The starting point is one person with unstoppable passion to share Jesus. Salary or not, the love of Christ must be passed along in deed and word.
GROWTH – Immersion in prayer, a life of worship, and study of the Bible marks every church planter and church planting effort.
TRAINING – Those who plant churches need to be seasoned in the Scriptures, faith, and life. They must be able in relationships, teaching, and the sharing of tasks.
INTEGRITY – Honoring God and His people is essential.
ORGANIZING – The church planter must be able to formulate a plan, form relationships, and help guide others into effective outreach for Christ.
COMMUNITY – Those in ministry must learn to mentor, share, and collaborate. This is not a one-person show. The goal is to create a movement of passionate evangelists.
SERVING – The goal in everything is ultimately to reach out with the Good News of Jesus.
RISK – Never satisfied, the question is always, “What next bold step needs to be taken for the sake of the cross of Jesus Christ?”
Mere Church Plantery isn’t contingent on a building, sound equipment, new computers, or even money! These are secondary to the central task of growing a movement of God’s Spirit of grace in and through people. The secondary tools might become important, but if the first things are taken care of, the secondary items will develop and will serve the primary focus.
What secondary areas might be distracting you? How do you need to get back to Mere Church Plantery?
C.S. Lewis published “Mere Christianity” in 1952. The book was based on radio talks he gave in the 1940’s. These talks outlined the basic fundamentals of the Christian faith.
What if there was a “Mere Church Plantery” book? What essentials of church planting might be included?
PASSION – The starting point is one person with unstoppable passion to share Jesus. Salary or not, the love of Christ must be passed along in deed and word.
GROWTH – Immersion in prayer, a life of worship, and study of the Bible marks every church planter and church planting effort.
TRAINING – Those who plant churches need to be seasoned in the Scriptures, faith, and life. They must be able in relationships, teaching, and the sharing of tasks.
INTEGRITY – Honoring God and His people is essential.
ORGANIZING – The church planter must be able to formulate a plan, form relationships, and help guide others into effective outreach for Christ.
COMMUNITY – Those in ministry must learn to mentor, share, and collaborate. This is not a one-person show. The goal is to create a movement of passionate evangelists.
SERVING – The goal in everything is ultimately to reach out with the Good News of Jesus.
RISK – Never satisfied, the question is always, “What next bold step needs to be taken for the sake of the cross of Jesus Christ?”
Mere Church Plantery isn’t contingent on a building, sound equipment, new computers, or even money! These are secondary to the central task of growing a movement of God’s Spirit of grace in and through people. The secondary tools might become important, but if the first things are taken care of, the secondary items will develop and will serve the primary focus.
What secondary areas might be distracting you? How do you need to get back to Mere Church Plantery?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Live Like You're Dying
Church Planting Series, Part six
Have you ever waited for test results from a doctor’s office? Have you ever been faced with the possibility that you may die? Very soon. All done.
Tim McGraw sang a song about this type of experience. It’s called: “Live Like You Were Dying."
Take a look at some of the lyrics:
He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?
An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."
Priorities change. Risks become worth it. People become more important. Living God’s purpose becomes more urgent.
Every church plant needs to live like it’s dying. It really doesn’t have a choice, does it? When there’s no plan B, no back-up, no cushion money in the church bank account; when your church can die tomorrow, you know that you and your little group of Christ followers better get out there and share the news of eternal life.
A friend of mine was planting churches in Burkina Faso, West Africa. I remember sitting with him in a Muslim village, speaking with the Muslim elders, asking if we could hold literacy classes among their people using parts of the Bible as the reading lessons. Why did my friend ride this “Fu Man Chu Bull” (see the lyrics above)? He was living like he was dying.
Every church—-every Christian needs to live like we’re dying. As followers of Christ we’re supposed to know this. We’re supposed to know that being comfortable is an illusion, that if we eat, drink, and are merry today, our lives may be demanded of us this very evening.
Are you living like you’re dying? Is your church living like it’s dying? When you do, priorities change. Risks become worth it. People become more important. Living God’s purpose becomes more urgent.
What if you got the news that your church, church plant, ministry, or life would be over in six months? How would it change what you’re doing right now? The answer to this question might be the key to your direction in ministry and in life today.
Have you ever waited for test results from a doctor’s office? Have you ever been faced with the possibility that you may die? Very soon. All done.
Tim McGraw sang a song about this type of experience. It’s called: “Live Like You Were Dying."
Take a look at some of the lyrics:
He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?
An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."
Priorities change. Risks become worth it. People become more important. Living God’s purpose becomes more urgent.
Every church plant needs to live like it’s dying. It really doesn’t have a choice, does it? When there’s no plan B, no back-up, no cushion money in the church bank account; when your church can die tomorrow, you know that you and your little group of Christ followers better get out there and share the news of eternal life.
A friend of mine was planting churches in Burkina Faso, West Africa. I remember sitting with him in a Muslim village, speaking with the Muslim elders, asking if we could hold literacy classes among their people using parts of the Bible as the reading lessons. Why did my friend ride this “Fu Man Chu Bull” (see the lyrics above)? He was living like he was dying.
Every church—-every Christian needs to live like we’re dying. As followers of Christ we’re supposed to know this. We’re supposed to know that being comfortable is an illusion, that if we eat, drink, and are merry today, our lives may be demanded of us this very evening.
Are you living like you’re dying? Is your church living like it’s dying? When you do, priorities change. Risks become worth it. People become more important. Living God’s purpose becomes more urgent.
What if you got the news that your church, church plant, ministry, or life would be over in six months? How would it change what you’re doing right now? The answer to this question might be the key to your direction in ministry and in life today.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The Real Focus
Church Planting Series, Part five
Shootings have dominated the headlines this week. Those headlines include the shooting of a pastor. What’s going on? Why the violence?
Read Romans 3:10-18 for the answer. From the Psalms and Isaiah, Paul boldly exposes our sinful nature: “There is no one righteous, not even one…Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways.”
This underscores the focus, the real focus of our work on earth. We’re not here to pack out worship services, to fund ministry programs, or to establish an excellent organization. We’re here because people are crumbling, dying, and self-destructing in a sin-broken mire that leads to eternal death. We’re here because Jesus Christ broke the bonds of that mire. By grace, people can be reclaimed from destruction.
At the beginning of every church plant and ministry start-up, the focus is not on the program. It’s on the people. In fact, it’s on one person at a time. Your goal is not to have a worship service. It’s not to crank up a ministry. It’s to bring the miracle of Jesus to a person.
I think this is why most of us get into this business, isn’t it? You’ve experienced the unparalleled new life Christ gives and you want to share it.
So you meet people. You follow the leads that come your way. You take the opportunities God gives. You develop relationships. You mentor people. You become friends. You live and speak the living Word. Then what happens?
It’s a church planting principle: People will follow your pattern.
Suddenly, you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with a growing army of people reaching the people in their lives. Suddenly, many voices will join yours in articulating the life-reconstructing work of Jesus.
A result of this focus on people will usually be worship services and ministries. But those are simply the result of the living Word inside people. Those will serve as resources to contribute to the ongoing outreach. Those will serve as growth and encouragement in the relationship-forming, people-caring process. Those will expand the beauty of being in community with each other and with Jesus.
But they are results of the focus, not the focus itself.
Whether you’re reaching the first person in your church planting or ministry efforts or you’re forming a relationship with the thousandth person you’ve met, your focus is on people. One person at a time.
Why? Because evidence shows that people are falling apart and that Christ is the Rebuilder we need so desperately. Just take a look at the headlines.
Shootings have dominated the headlines this week. Those headlines include the shooting of a pastor. What’s going on? Why the violence?
Read Romans 3:10-18 for the answer. From the Psalms and Isaiah, Paul boldly exposes our sinful nature: “There is no one righteous, not even one…Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways.”
This underscores the focus, the real focus of our work on earth. We’re not here to pack out worship services, to fund ministry programs, or to establish an excellent organization. We’re here because people are crumbling, dying, and self-destructing in a sin-broken mire that leads to eternal death. We’re here because Jesus Christ broke the bonds of that mire. By grace, people can be reclaimed from destruction.
At the beginning of every church plant and ministry start-up, the focus is not on the program. It’s on the people. In fact, it’s on one person at a time. Your goal is not to have a worship service. It’s not to crank up a ministry. It’s to bring the miracle of Jesus to a person.
I think this is why most of us get into this business, isn’t it? You’ve experienced the unparalleled new life Christ gives and you want to share it.
So you meet people. You follow the leads that come your way. You take the opportunities God gives. You develop relationships. You mentor people. You become friends. You live and speak the living Word. Then what happens?
It’s a church planting principle: People will follow your pattern.
Suddenly, you’ll be shoulder to shoulder with a growing army of people reaching the people in their lives. Suddenly, many voices will join yours in articulating the life-reconstructing work of Jesus.
A result of this focus on people will usually be worship services and ministries. But those are simply the result of the living Word inside people. Those will serve as resources to contribute to the ongoing outreach. Those will serve as growth and encouragement in the relationship-forming, people-caring process. Those will expand the beauty of being in community with each other and with Jesus.
But they are results of the focus, not the focus itself.
Whether you’re reaching the first person in your church planting or ministry efforts or you’re forming a relationship with the thousandth person you’ve met, your focus is on people. One person at a time.
Why? Because evidence shows that people are falling apart and that Christ is the Rebuilder we need so desperately. Just take a look at the headlines.
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