TRAP

Sometimes I feel like I have this rodent-like existence. I'm in a trap, feeling I have to provide a safe, well-staffed place for great worship that ministers to all the congregation's felt needs - do crisis management and counseling, administration and spiritual formation - provide outlets for the artistically and musically gifted to live out their passions within our walls and organize development for all ages from newborn to senior citizen.

The trap is - it feels as if I don't do all these things, the next hard-working, well-funded leader will, and our folks will trade us in for the newer, upgraded models. I'd love to get off that Habitat wheel, but I'm not always sure how to. Every church of size deals with this struggle.

The one good thing from this is that it forces us to ask the right questions. The pain of providing what people want rather than what they need will eventually either kill you or cause you to ask, "What is the main thing I was trying to do again?"

It's time to stop spinning plates just to keep people happy. As leaders, we must clarify what we're called to do and how we're called to lead and get back to the Main Thing. Each church has a thumbprint given specifically by God, but every church must also answer the larger call for which we all will someday have to give an answer.

We know what our main thing is: "Go and make a disciple."

When we get face-to-face with Jesus, He's never going to ask us:

'How good were your programs, preaching and presentations?'

'How much is your church budget' or 'How many friends do you have on Facebook?'

'How many people read the blog this month?'

'Did you pick the right form of church strategy' or 'Were you culturally relevant?'

The only thing He's going to ask will be based on a simple measurement: 'Did you do all you could with what I gave you to make people like Me?'

Well?? Have you??

And be blessed.