As the time approaches for many churches in our denomination to say good-bye to their present clergy and hello to new pastoral leadership there is a certain level of expectation from the church and from the new pastor. Most of us sincerely want spiritual growth in our personal lives and in our ministries. Most of us are excited about the possibilities that come with this new growth. But many times there are people in our community that are afraid of growth because with growth comes change and change can be scary.
As pastors and Christ-led churches we believe in welcoming the lost, the broken, and all those people that God will send our way. We often pray that through the new changes that come, that God will send us more kids and families to be a part of our church family. Many times we pray that our church will be seen and known as a welcoming place to every person that comes through the doors and that each one of those souls will feel at home. Pastors and laity alike want to share the Gospel, we want to see more souls receive Gods salvation, and we want to see more of a movement of God in our communities.
But let me give you a few questions to think about: if God were to send those things your church have prayed for to you this Sunday, would your church be ready? Would your pastor be ready? Would your building be ready? If a hundred new families walked into your church, would your church body know what to do with them? Would there be a place that would make them feel welcome? Would there be people who would welcome the stranger, the divorced parent, the single college student away from home, or the aging widow? Would the babies have someone to love them and rock them, and would the children have teachers or the youth a place to serve? Would they even have a classroom! If fifty people who wanted to be in service to God’s people came to you this Sunday, could your church handle it?
Do you believe that God is in the business of doing wondrous, amazing, miraculous things in and through the fears, doubts and unbelief that we all face? I do. Because I know that Jesus is coming – to our churches today and we need to be ready!
Lord I’m ready now
I’m waiting for Your triumphant return
You’re coming so soon
This world has nothing for me
I find my peace and joy solely in You
Only in You
I want the world to see that
You’re alive and living well in me
Let me be a part of the harvest
For the days are few
He’s coming soon
People get ready Jesus is comin’
Soon we’ll be going home
People get ready Jesus is coming
To take from the world His own
There will be a day
When we will be divided right and left
For those who know Him
And those who do not know
Those who know Him well
Will meet Him in the air
Hallelujah
God is with us
Those who do not know
They will hear “Depart, I knew you not”
For my friends you see
There will be a day when well be counted
So know Him well, know Him well
People get ready Jesus is comin’
Soon we’ll be going home
People get ready Jesus is coming
To take from the world His own
People get ready Jesus is comin’
Soon we’ll be going home
People get readyJesus is coming
To take from the world His own
~ lyrics by Crystal Lewis
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1 comment
ena
June 16, 2012 at 7:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
No, we would not be ready. And it is sad, because it will lead to our death. Last month I led my own congregation and two others in a discussion that was intended to lead to finding the new thing that God was asking of us. I started off by reading the story of Peter getting out of the boat to walk on water and meet Jesus. Then I read a reflection from John Ortberg’s book, If you wnat to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.
The discussion started off faithfully enough, but it took a swing somewhere along the line and they started talking about working together on fundraising. How sad. They are in the boat, they know the boat is sinking, and yet it is less risky to go down with the boat than to get out and walk on water.
So no, if hundreds of people show up tomorrow morning, we won’t be ready. I suspect I am not alone in trying to lead people where they don’t want to follow. That is sometimes the frustration of ministry. I hope Pat that you find more readiness and willingness than I have. Peace to you.
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