Author: rickwhitter

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For Pastors of Smaller Churches

Pastor, if your congregation is not as large as you wish, allow me a moment. I assume godly ambition on your part. You would like to see your congregation grow because you care about lost people and you want to reach as many as possible. Desiring a larger church to build your ego or to make yourself appear more “successful” is a serious mistake. But praying and working toward a growing church with the right motivation is vitally important. In fact, if you don’t want your church to increase in size and influence, you may want to revisit the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20.    

If you wish your congregation was larger, just a few reminders. 

  • Honor and respect the people who are already there. Good shepherds do not overlook their current flock while trying to increase it. In fact, disrespecting your flock is the best way to see it reduce in size.  
  • Healthy churches grow. While there are no failproof methods for growing a church, building healthy disciples will result in more disciples. Disciples make disciples. So, focus on health rather than growth.
  • Avoid the comparison game. No 2 churches are alike. It is not fair to measure your flock alongside someone else’s flock. You be faithful where you are called to be, God will bring the increase.
  • Growth takes time. I caution against rapid increase. That which is built in a day can be destroyed in a day. Be patient. 
  • You can’t increase the size of your church until you increase your spiritual health. God will only entrust His people to a Pastor who can lead them well. Lead yourself well – you will lead the flock well – and God will send you more. 
  • A church without a loving pastor will never increase. Love the troublemakers. Love the high maintenance. Love the special needs folks. Love those who never contribute. If you are faithful in loving those who are hard to love, God will bring you those who are easy to love. 
  • Don’t be afraid of losing people. Some folks just don’t belong. Others jump ship every year or 2. And some are being called by God to do ministry in other places. While you can’t ignore the pain of people leaving, focusing on keeping them from leaving will cause more to leave. Focus on the spiritual development of those who stay. 
  • Don’t underestimate the impact of your ministry. The chairs may be half empty. Visitors may be rare. But you have no idea how deep your influence is. Only heaven will reveal this. 
  • Pastor your community, not just your church. If you wish to increase the size of your church, those outside the church must know you. Be sure to be out among the unchurched people. Your relationship with them is one of your most effective tools for growth.
  • Foster your godly ambition. It is so easy to get caught in the trap of the “same ole same ole.” Years of inertia creates stagnation. Never settle for less than life-changing, community impacting ministry. Too many Pastors give up on the dream before it is realized; don’t get caught in this trap.
  • Don’t fall for the “greener grass” syndrome. A larger church may not be the best thing for you. Moving to a new church may not satisfy you. Continually looking past your current place of ministry, dreaming about the next, is ministerial suicide. Staying at a church and leading it’s growth is incredibly rewarding!     
  • Finally, remember the source of growth. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.”  Your job is not to grow the church; in fact, you cannot grow the church. Your job is to lead the creation of a healthy spiritual environment so that people can grow spiritually. The Lord will build His church! 

Hang in there, Pastor. Keep dreaming big dreams. Develop your godly ambition. Stay faithful to His call regardless of delays and disruptions. But remember, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, you and I are merely under-shepherds. And what an honor that is, regardless of the number of folks we reach.   

Here is another article on a the same topic from a few years ago: https://rickwhitter.com/2024/07/03/pastors-of-smaller-churches/

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Flannelgraph Memories

I grew up in a church age when our Sunday School teachers utilized the most recent multimedia tools available. For the youngins among us, flannelgraph was a primitive teaching tool, with a piece of flannel material stretched over a frame, and a paper likeness of Biblical characters was attached on the board to help in telling the story.  I remember sweet Sister Gregory and Sister English passionately telling the Gospel stories using these rudimentary teaching tools. 

But I had some confusion back then. The background picture seldom, if ever, changed. One week the scene was the Garden of Gethsemane and the next Sunday it was Mount Sinai – but they looked exactly alike! One week, the guy in the blue robe was Peter, the next week, he was Paul. The bald guy may be Matthew one week and Isaiah the next (I assumed the bald guy should be Elisha!)  Our teachers explained that these people had died and were now in heaven. So, I deduced that, when one of our elderly saints in the church died, they would show up on the flannelgraph board next week. Sister Lane and Brother George never showed up on the board – which made me wonder if they made it to heaven! Then, one of the mean boys in class (not me!) drew a Hitler mustache on one of the characters, maybe Joseph or maybe John. I was mortified at the sacrilege! Finally, after years of use and some abuse, the flannel began to weaken, and the characters could no longer remain attached on the board – they would fall off at the most inopportune times. And the boys, me included, would laugh. 

It was archaic and old fashioned. But it worked! Those stories came alive, not because of the flannelgraph, but because our faithful teachers were passionate about them, and because they loved the students.     

Thankfully our kids and teachers have more effective learning tools these days. But it’s not the tools that deserve the credit – it is the faithful servant leaders who minister each week to our children. Thank you; you are heroes of the faith!

I’ll never underestimate the importance of these foundational experiences in my faith formation! The visual elements were crude but they got the job done. Those teachers invested in me. I’m forever indebted to them and to the church for providing the best that they had.  

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Shepherd or Hireling?

Church leaders are one or the other. The Scriptures are clear, the sheep belong to the Good Shepherd, Jesus. Those who serve churches are simply undershepherds. As such, we will give account to the Lord as to how we served His flock. 

So, what is a hireling? “A labourer employed on hire for a limited time. His wages were paid as soon as his work was over.” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) 

“In the New Testament the word “hireling” (misthotos) occurs only in John 10:12, where his neglect of the sheep is contrasted unfavorably with the care and courage of the shepherd who owns the sheep, who leads them to pasture and lays down his life for their protection from danger and death.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

I have witnessed the behaviors and characteristics of both shepherds and hirelings, and have developed this simple summary: 

Pastors love the flock; hirelings love attention.

Pastors serve the flock; hirelings use the flock for their own selfish gain.

Pastors pray for the flock; hirelings prey upon the flock.

Pastors promote the flock; hirelings promote themselves. 

Pastors sacrifice for the flock; hirelings steal from the flock. 

Pastors build up the flock; hirelings build their brand. 

Pastors invest themselves into the flock; hirelings use the flock for the own benefit.

Pastors defend the flock; hirelings demand of the flock. 

Pastors are thankful for their flock; hirelings take advantage of the flock.

Pastors protect the flock; hirelings manipulate the flock. 

John 10:11-12 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

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Scrapyard Leadership

Yesterday, while out for some exercise, I came across a metal scrapyard where crane operators were using huge electronic magnets to move large metal debris from a railroad car to a huge stack.  The process was simple; place the gigantic magnet over the opened railroad car, lower it, turn on the magnet, and it picked up thousands of pounds of metal. The operator would then swing the boom over to the stack and release the magnet. The metal would fall with a crash, and the process was repeated. I assume this went on all day. The salvage yard was massive.

Yesterday, while out for some exercise, I came across a metal scrapyard where crane operators were using huge electronic magnets to move large metal debris from a railroad car to a huge stack.  The process was simple; place the gigantic magnet over the opened railroad car, lower it, turn on the magnet, and it picked up thousands of pounds of metal. The operator would then swing the boom over to the stack and release the magnet. The metal would fall with a crash, and the process was repeated. I assume this went on all day. The salvage yard was massive.

As I often do, I thanked the Lord that I did not have to make a living in such a monotonous and laborious way. But then, I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  In more ways than I care to admit, my leadership can be similar to the crane operator’s job. Problems and issues and concerns and complaints find their way to my railroad car. On a daily basis, due to my responsibilities, I learn of challenges being faced by those great folks that I serve. And so, I spend much of every day, lifting up an issue, dealing with, and hopefully dumping it.  The problem may not be permanently solved but at least it is removed from my railroad car. 

Surely there is more.

Lest leaders become disenchanted with leading, we must learn and practice a better process, especially for those who serve in administration.  

Books have been written about how a leader can learn to lead and not just manage problems. True, someone must manage the problems, but if a leader spends all their time managing (moving scrap), that is all that will be accomplished; there will be no forward progress, there will be no dream, no vision. – Only scrapyard leadership.  

I want to be clear, people are not scrap. I do not want to give the impression that leaders view the people who have problems as disposable; they are not! But leaders cannot solve every problem. What an effective leader must do is decide what they can and should solve. “What is it that only I can do?” If you do everything, you won’t have time to do what only you can do.  Once that boundary is established, a good leader will make sure that managers are in place to deal with the issues that the leader cannot solve. Truthfully, someone who is called to be a manager is better at problem solving than a pure leader.   

I respect crane operators, and I hope they make a good living. But I don’t want to be one. I dream of more than scrapyard leadership. And I dream it for all my friends in leadership.  

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Hopes, Wishes and Prayers for 2025

As we prepare for the start of another new year, I’d like to state a few of my wishes for family and friends. Of course, wishes and hopes and dreams have little power to actually bring about good things but prayer based on faith and optimism is a powerful force. 

I hope you’re at peace with God, with others and with yourself. Inner turmoil and emotional agitation creates a chaotic life. That’s not God’s plan for us.

I wish you healthy and happy relationships. Being loved and loving others is foundational for our wellbeing. May you have much joy that comes from great friendships and personal relationships. 

I pray for growth in your life. May your intellect increase, may your talents expand and may your influence and impact multiply. If we don’t grow next year, we’ll shrink. 

I hope for resolve and endurance. No doubt, life hits hard sometimes. Rather than praying for fewer problems, I’d prefer to see us determined to overcome whatever comes against us. 

I hope you dream big dreams. Don’t allow disappointment and frustration to squash your ability to visualize better things. With hard work and God’s favor, your dreams may become reality. 

I pray that you will experience true fulfillment. This happens only when we know for certain our God-given purpose in life and we live it out. There is no greater feeling! 

I wish you joy; genuine, deep, and lasting joy. This kind of joy doesn’t come from anything or anyone other than the Lord. It’s not based on our circumstances or outside influences. I hope you have the joy that Jesus gives!

I’m asking God to give you wisdom. You need prudence and judgement in today’s crazy world. The Holy Spirit will provide this wisdom if we ask.

My prayer is that you will have increased passion for God. May He be your top priority, your reason for living, the greatest desire of your heart. 

Finally, I ask God to give you His perspective of your life. May you see yourself as God sees you. May His opinion of you be the most important influence in your life. 

These are my hopes, wishes and prayers for my friends and family for 2025! 

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What Dysfunction May Reveal

Sometimes, not always, a dysfunction or misbehavior can be an indication of previous trauma. For example, sexual promiscuity may be a result of sexual abuse. Harsh response to criticism could indicate insecurity from a lack of affirmation. An out of control temper may reveal a sense of feeling vulnerable or at risk of harm. Harsh judgmentalism can be a coverup for hidden sin. Cynicism and sarcasm may reveal unresolved hurt.

We don’t know what is going on inside other people. But rarely does one’s maladjusted behavior stand alone – something triggers it; there is usually a root cause.

Understand that what we may view as dysfunction may be another person’s normal function. This behavior may be all they know. Their excessive actions may be their safe place, this may be how they have learned to survive. This is not an excuse for irresponsible behavior but at least we should be aware that one’s history has significant influence on one’s current behavior.

Now, let’s turn this inward. What reactions or responses that you exhibit may indicate past trauma that has not been addressed?

Do you hold grudges? Do you like to fight? Are you narcissistic? Do you lack basic compassion? Are you dishonest? Do you bully others? Perhaps there is a root cause that must be addressed. “That’s just the way that I am” won’t cut it anymore.

It’s ok to do some introspection. It’s helpful to peel back layers of the sources of our past pain. It may seem scary but uncovering past trauma is the first step toward recovery.

Most of all, we must allow the grace of God to heal, to cover, to make right the wrongs that may be controlling us. We don’t have to let our past dictate our future any longer.

God wants us whole. He wants our relationships to be healthy. He wants us at peace with Him and others.

You can’t change the past, but God can change your future. Let’s get started.

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When People Don’t Want Solutions

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who had a problem, a worry or an offense? Of course you have. And have you offered potential solutions to that person, only to have them ignore or refuse to consider the proposed solution? Of course you have. And when that happens, you know you can’t help this person. In fact, you realize that this person is not interested in answers, they only want the problem. 

Several weeks ago, a leader-friend of mine shared how one of our colleagues had hurt him. I asked if he had addressed the problem with our colleague – he had not. And he expressed no interest in doing so. This conversation has been repeated many times with many associates. It is a common event.

In many cases, especially if we’re dealing with a supposed “mature” individual, these hurting people prefer to hold on to their hurt. They don’t want answers, they want an excuse to be offended or to worry. If they actually solved the problem, their ability to complain would be hindered. If they solved the problem, they would then be expected to produce results. As it stands, they have a “reason” to be stuck. Their hurt becomes their license to be bitter.

Try to help people, all the people you can. But when you come across a person who refuses to be helped, it may be best to move on to someone else until that individual really wants help. But when they’re ready, then be willing to jump back in to offer the help you have!

Lesson: Be teachable. Stay coachable. Be solutions oriented rather than problem oriented.   

Related post: Pastor, You Can’t Fix Everybody: https://rickwhitter.com/2016/05/13/pastor-you-cant-fix-everybody/

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Leadership 101

Leaders must make the best decisions possible for the people and the organizations they serve. Sometimes, some people won’t like the decision, sometimes many people won’t like it, but leaders are tasked with assessing situations and making the calls that are necessary. This is not always easy. In fact, there are times that the last thing a leader wants to do is to make a tough decision in a contentious issue. But courageous leaders lead on, regardless.

Before reacting to a leader’s decision and before expressing disapproval, consider that the leader knows details that are not common knowledge, and an integrous leader cannot and will not share those details. Perhaps if we knew the details the leader knows, we would have a different opinion.

Remember, leaders will give an account to God for using discretion, discernment, and integrity regarding the organization and the people they are called to serve. And rest assured that in any respectable organization, the leader is also accountable to other leaders. Corrupt leaders will be judged, and honorable leaders will be rewarded – by the One who sees all and knows all.

So, pray for your leader.

Understand that they know details that you don’t.

Support your leader as much as you are able.

And know that, how you treat your leader is how you can expect to be treated by those you lead.

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5 Reasons to Go to Church

Folks can think of a million reasons NOT to go to church. I have 5 simple reasons why we should go.

1. There’s no place like church home. Watching services online or on television is a nice substitute, but they cannot replace the experience of being in the same room with fellow worshippers, encountering the presence of God together and responding corporately. God does things when the Church gathers that can happen in no other setting.

2. Your church needs you. According to Scripture, each of us are a part of the Body of Christ and each part is necessary. If we are not present to do our part, either our part will not get done or someone else will have to do it. You and I have specific spiritual gifts, talents, abilities and callings that are unique. No one else can fill your role in the church like you. Your church needs you there.

3. Future generations need an example to follow. If our generation abandons the church gathering, there may be no church gathering available for those who come behind us. Know that when you faithfully attend church services, you are setting an example for others to follow, and they most certainly will need church.

4. It’s a Biblical mandate. Regardless of what some may say, God expects us to gather with our church family. While missing church may not be a sin or a requirement to go to heaven, it most certainly is an expectation displayed in the Bible. Of course, we are wise if we follow the Biblical patterns.

5. You need your church. You need to hear your pastor preach. You need to sing along with other church members. You need to tithe and give in the offering. You need the fellowship of other Believers. You need to serve and exercise your gifts.

You may be able to survive without these things but, without questions, you will not thrive spiritually without these things.

Let’s go to church!

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Pastors of Smaller Churches

Small is relative. My idea of a small ice cream cone is 3 dips. No one knows for sure what constitutes a small church. Compared to churches in Indonesia and Latin America, the mega churches of the United States are small. But most of us are aware of when our churches are truly small. Remember, small isn’t bad and large isn’t necessarily good.

I have dear friends who serve diligently in congregations under 25, under 50. I often hear or read discussion about how the small churches are forgotten and their pastors are overlooked. Unfortunately, people, even Christian leaders tend to look at numbers when gauging value. This is wrong and the Lord is not pleased.  But let’s consider a few thoughts:

Not everyone looks down on small church pastors. Of course, it only takes a few times of being disrespected for us to become defensive. It doesn’t feel good to be looked down upon. Let’s try to remember that most good people respect us, not because of the size of our congregations, but because of God’s calling on our lives. Don’t let the few disrespectful people impact your attitude or self-worth.

Don’t be guilty of overreacting or becoming overly defensive. Webster defines the Napoleon Complex as: “a domineering or aggressive attitude perceived as a form of overcompensation for being physically small or short.” Let’s not give the impression that we feel less of ourselves because our ministry is not large. If God has called you to a church, hold your head up! He sees value and worth in that church, and they deserve your best. And how God must trust you to place such a lovely flock under your skilled care!

Don’t be guilty of disrespecting pastors of larger churches; they are not your enemy. It is just as wrong to be critical of a church because it is large as it is visa versa. 

God judges by faithfulness, not size. While He expects us to steward (and multiply) what He’s given us, God will not judge our success on numbers. He judges success on faithfulness; praise the Lord! 

Popularity in the eyes of people is not what matters. Small church pastors may not receive notoriety. They may be overlooked for opportunities, simply because of the visual created by a smaller church. What matters is – God sees. If we are overlooked, let it be by people, rather than God! Besides, promotion comes from the Lord, to seek advancements apart from the Lord’s favor is a painful mistake. 

I do believe that all churches should grow. Our passion for souls and the Mission of reaching the world for Christ requires that we add people to the church.  But we must never value a ministry because of its size alone.

Finally, don’t become bitter. Don’t give jealousy room in your spirit. Don’t allow your view of life to be clouded because of the opinions of others. Sarcasm and cynicism are tools of the enemy. Stay sweet in your spirit, regardless of the size of your ministry. 

Know who you are in Christ, know what He has called you to do, and, regardless of numbers, do this with all your might. That, my friends, is true success! 

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You Owe What You’ve Been Given

Most would agree, if we have any true success in ministry, it’s all the Lord’s, He receives the glory. But if He gives you success, does He expect more from you?

Yes, He does!

If the Lord helped you to build your church from 0 to 50 people, you have an obligation to teach others how to do so. If He enabled you to grow a church from 50 to 100, or 100-500, there are pastors just waiting for the information you possess. If God allowed you to be a successful evangelist, missionary, church planter or administrator, you owe it to the kingdom of God to teach others the ability that God has given you.

Some may say that they are too humble to tell others how they did it. They don’t want to be guilty of arrogance and hubris. It’s not arrogant to share the good news, it’s selfish to not share the good news.

Others may say they don’t know anyone who will listen to them. I say, find someone who is currently where you were before God allowed your progress – and offer to buy them coffee. Relationship will open the door for influence.

Still others are waiting for permission to share. They lack the pedigree or title or platform.

You don’t need permission to help others; your possession of knowledge requires you to help others!

This is the way God established it to work. He blesses us so we can bless others, He expects us to share. “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48 NLT) We need those who have been blessed by God to show others how to be blessed.

This is Biblical church growth, this is Kingdom growth. Think about it.

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The Lady Doth Protest Too Much, Methinks

The famous line in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a way of indicating doubt of someone’s sincerity, especially regarding the truth of a strong denial. Hamlet’s mother, Queen Gertrude feels that the strong expressions of love and fidelity by the character are too excessive to be believed.

In other words, her “going overboard” is an indication of something fishy.  

Ah, such moxie; such emotional intelligence. It takes deep perception, even discernment to detect when someone is arguing too hard against a proposition – so hard that there seems to be an attempt to cover up. Overcompensation comes to mind. 

Be on guard. When you find someone who vehemently attacks a particular sin or fault, when they zero in with laser focus, when they refuse to express any possibility of innocence in the life of others, they just may be protesting too much. Pounding with a 100-pound sledge hammer may reveal duplicity. 

In other words, “going overboard” can be an indication of something fishy going on.  

Don’t go looking for it, but the next time you see someone ruthlessly attacking the behavior or lifestyle of others, raise your antenna. They just might be dealing with that very same issue in their own life. 

Many years ago, I watched a very famous television evangelist verbally pound on pornographers. In my spirit, I felt it. I said to my brother, “He’s guilty, just watch.” Sure enough, within a few weeks, his perverted sexual escapades were exposed to the public.   

So, fair warning. If you’re guilty of misdeeds, not everyone will be fooled by your overacting. Your pointing of the finger and verbal barrages and social media blitzkriegs will more than  likely cause some smart people to wonder.  And the more you protest, the more we will wonder. 

By the way, let’s not become cynical. Let’s not doubt everyone who “protests.” Assume the best. Practice, “innocent until proven guilty.” Give the benefit of the doubt. And practice grace.

But don’t be fooled by the people who protest too much. Methinks. 

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A Theory on Generational Prayer

Allow me to run a little theory by you, see what you think. 

My brilliant daughter, Jessica and I were talking at a family funeral last week about her children and how they have multiple generations of prayer covering over them. We can trace back at least 4 generations, by name, grandparents who prayed for their progeny. Although they had no way of knowing the names and specifics of my grandchildren, these precious saints of God prayed for their “Children and their children’s children.” That includes Sophie and Judah! 

But here is where we landed. The Scripture indicates that, “golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints” are kept before the altar of God. As I understand it, these prayers that are prayed throughout the history of humankind remain before God, as an active agent. They are not prayed one time, heard by God and discarded. They remain in the ears of God throughout eternity; it is as though they are continuing to be prayed long after these Christians are in heaven. 

So, the idea is cumulative prayer. The prayers stack up. For each generation, the amount of prayers prayed for them just keeps increasing. Think of these prayers amassing, heaping up, multiplying, snowballing!

Here is what Jess and I concluded: The closer we get to the end of days, the more sin is compounded and the more spiritual pressure our children will experience. My grandchildren face things unimaginable in my childhood. I must confess, I worry for them. BUT! The Word of God teaches that, “where sin abound, the grace of God abounds all the more.” (Romans 5:20). God knew that our children would be faced with spiritual opposition like no generation before them. So, He planned for an ever-increasing system of prayer support for them. My grandkids have more prayer covering that I did, because they need it. For every person who prayed for my early Christian foreparents, they are also praying for my grandchildren and their children and their children’s children – until the end of time. How powerful is that!?

We worry about the future for our families. But God has supplied a cumulative prayer structure that dates back to the time of Christ. Thousands, perhaps millions of prayers! 

Satan may fight our kids, but God has an army of prayer warriors that have gone ahead with the weapon of prayer to keep the enemy at bay. God will win!

I have a new sense of assurance and excitement for my grandchildren and their children!

And this also reminds us of how crucially important it is that you and I pray for our progeny.            

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10 Observations about Pastors

  • Pastors want to be respected. Regardless of the size of the church or the budget, each man and woman desires to be treated with dignity. And they deserve it.
  • Pastors want to know that they are making a difference. In the Movement, in the community and in the local church, they want to be assured that their work matters and is efficacious.
  • Pastors want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They are not small thinking or selfish; they enjoy investing outside of themselves and their local churches.
  • Pastors really do care about their flocks and they want to be the best shepherds they can possibly be. They are compassionate, servant leaders. 
  • Pastors are eager to secure new resources and gain new insights. Self-improvement and life-long learning is widely accepted and practiced.
  • The vast majority of pastors want their churches to grow; they want to see more people won to the Lord and they want to make more disciples. 
  • Most pastors are very concerned about the future of the ministry and they want to prepare the next generation of Pastors and leaders. Some are concerned because this is not happening on a large enough scale.
  • Most pastors have similar needs and desires: more committed people, additional resources (funds, time, volunteers), and more ministry progress.
  • The vast majority of Pastors work hard to give their very best to the Lord and His Church, and take joy in doing so. 
  • Most (but not enough) Pastors prioritize their families as their first ministry. 

I am basing my observations on this: 

Over the last nearly 12 years, I have preached around 450 messages in around 400 churches. I’ve ministered primarily in 3 states but have also preached in around 12 others. I have preached mostly in Church of God churches but also in a few outside of our movement. I have met many Pastors, spent time in fellowship with them and their families, have visited in many homes and have developed close friendships with many. I humbly believe that I am in touch with the local Church and can speak to the state of many Pastors. I am grateful to serve as a Pastor to Pastors. 

These local church Pastors are the unsung heroes of the Church.

Though the challenges of ministry are significant, and although there is immense pressure on today’s church leaders, they don’t want or need sympathy; they desire prayer support.

God sees and will reward faithfulness on the part of Pastors.

We love you, Pastor! 

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The Greatest Resource for Ministry is Not Money

When I ask Church Planters how I can help them, they almost always request money. Those who are revitalizing exisiting churches usually make the same request. Even Pastors who are leading thriving churches are quick to list finances as their greatest ministry need.

“If I just had (x dollars), we could (fill in the blank)…” 

But I contend that money is not the greatest resource for ministry. While this is not my focus, it must be stated that our greatest ministry needs are spiritual in nature. But for this article, let’s talk about a tangible issue.

The Greatest Resource for Ministry is Relationships

We need people more than we need money.

We need friends more than we need buildings.

We need confidents more than we need staff.

We need others who care more than we need equipment.

We need advisors more than we need volunteers.

We need people we love and who love us more than we need the latest program or method.

Solid, steady, growing and trustworthy relationships will lead us to all of the other necessities for ministry. But those relationships must be:

  • Pure – free from ulterior motives. If you’re making friends with rich people in an effort to get their money, shame on you.
  • Intentional – we must be purposeful in building relationships with people who we normally wouldn’t know.
  • Diverse – make friends with a wide variety of people, inside and outside of the church.
  • Mutually benefical – it’s not a healthy relationship if it is one sided.

Ministry is relationships. If you’re starting a church, seek people, not money. If you’re rebuilding a stagnate church, it’s about people. Pastors of strong churches, keep the folks as your main focus. 

Let’s get relationships right, then ministry will be right; needed resources will accompany relationships. If relationships aren’t right, nothing is right. 

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We’re All Called to Plant Churches

We are actively seeking women and men who are called by God to start new churches. While some eagerly step forward, most do not feel “led” by God to plant; we understand that. But our lack of calling to lead the charge in launching a new church is not an exemption from our responsibility to start new churches.  

Considering the apparently inevitable future closure of countless churches across the land, unless we plant new churches, we will eventually run out of churches. Of course, this is not an option. So, we must all accept our role in the planting process. 

Pastors of established church play a vital role in starting new churches. Some can support with training for the planter. Church members can pray. Still others can sow financially and some churches can invest members who will act as “seed members” in the new church. There is no such thing as a Pastor or Christian who has no responsibility in planting churches.  Of Missions, John Piper said, “be a joyful, sacrificial goer, be a joyful, sacrificial sender, or be disobedient.” I think the same is true of church planting: go, send our be disobedient.

Not all are called to lead the effort to plant a church, but we are all called to be involved in the planting process. 

What’s your part?

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What Motivates One to Lead?

The desire and ambition to be a leader is a very good thing. Leaders make good things happen for others. But the whybehind the desire to lead is crucial to understand.  If we have a leader who is motivated by the wrong thing, the Church is in for trouble. 

The need to be needed, the desire to be the focus of attention (selfishness), and wanting to be “in charge” will drive some folks into leadership, and will drive those around them to flee. Ulterior motives such as bringing down an enemy, making lots of money, manipulating others to serve and gaining notoriety are poison that will quickly kill an organization. 

On the other hand, sacrificing for the good of the movement, serving others, uniting and building up the Church, and moving the Church toward the Lord’s will are all pure and godly motives for leading.  

I Thessalonians 5:13 teaches us: “And we beseech you, brethren, that you come to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.” “Know those” really means to acknowledge our leaders, but there is much to be said for knowing, understanding motives and discerning the intents and desires of an aspiring leader in the Church.

Let’s check our motives and remain pure in our desires. Let’s not be influenced or fooled by someone who is, with impure motives, chomping at the bit to take the reins. Let’s seek the Lord for discernment, let’s fast and pray for motives to be revealed, and let’s anticipate the Spirit’s direction in who will lead.     

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New Life for an Old Church

Churches, like people, age. Growing older isn’t a bad thing, (it beats the alternative!), but churches that age without adding new attenders won’t continue to grow old, they will die. All over America, churches are closing their doors because no one is attending anymore; the old attenders passed away and no one replaced them.

We don’t want our churches to die! So, what can we do?

Let’s bring New Life to Old Churches!   

A “new” Pastor. I am not a proponent of automatically bringing in a new pastor when the church stops growing, although sometimes that is needed. But it’s better for the current Pastor to become, “new.” New vision, new passion, a new burden for the community…all these are characteristics of a Pastor that can lead new life for the church. 

In other words, new life for the church begins with new life for the Pastor. 

Pastor, if you desire a fresh wind to blow over the church you serve, start reviving yourself. You may be tired, you could be burned out, but as long as you’re the leader, God has spiritual refreshing for you. 

New Leaders: Once again, it may not be a bad idea to recruit a new crop of local church leaders. But much preferred is when the old leaders get revived! If the leaders follow the example of their Pastor, they will enjoy times of spiritual refreshing and a return to their passion for the Lord. This passion must be more than a desire to do things the way they used to be done. This fervency must be for the presence of the Lord, compassion for the lost and a desire to reach the community. This passion must overpower our tendency to prefer the old ways. 

“New” leaders will bring new life to an old church.    

A new Vision. Slogans aren’t enough. A fresh coat of paint and planting new shrubs may be helpful, but this is not new vision. God has a fresh vision, a new dream for each season of the church. This is not to say that what God did in the church in the past was bad, but He hasn’t run out of fresh ideas. What innovative ideas, what creative new approaches may the Spirit be inspiring? What is God saying to the church about new ways to reach the people of the community? Here is a hint: find a need and meet it! 

A new Pastor and new leaders will dream new dreams about a new church. 

New Changes! This is the part that is hard for those who love the old church. The new church won’t look like the old church. The people who are drawn to a new church won’t necessarily look like those who’ve been around for years. There will be new families with new babies and new needs will arise. Old nurseries will be brought back to life. Old Youth Rooms will need to be renovated. Empty activity calendars will fill up. And old worship services will be revived with new people, new worship styles and new results. New members, new training, new volunteers, new ministries, new energy and new excitement! 

An old church will become new when the old church attenders embrace the joy and beauty of newness in their church. They won’t refuse to adapt, they will lead the charge! 

A new Pastor and new leaders and new vision and new changes will result in a new church! And the results will be new names written in God’s book! (Revelation 21:27)   

Let’s bring New Life to our old churches! 

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10 Suggestions for Confronting Sin in Others

The following is based somewhat on Scripture, somewhat on personal experience and somewhat on common sense.  

When you think a fellow Christian is in sin and you want to address it:

  1. Check your heart and motivations. Is your desire to rescue someone who is straying, or is there an ulterior motive? 
  2. Purify yourself. Unless you are without sin, your confrontation will be hypocritical.
  3. Do it now. If you indeed believe someone is in sin, delay could be dangerous.
  4. Keep confrontation small, do it in person. Don’t involve uninvolved people. Engage as few people as necessary; this allows greater opportunity for restoration. 
  5. Be gentle. God is the ultimate Judge; harshness is a weapon only He may wield. 
  6. Stay humble. Remember that you are also flesh and prone to failure. 
  7. Assume misunderstanding. Give the benefit of the doubt that imperfect communication has misrepresented the issue. 
  8. Seek to heal. Judgement is not the goal, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration is the goal. 
  9. Offer mercy. Treat others better than they deserve. 
  10. Offer grace. Don’t treat others as they deserve.

These are simple ideas on how to do something we must be good at, whether we are on the receiving end or giving end. If we are not effective at this, the entire Church will suffer.

Supporting Scriptures:

Galatians 6:1-2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

Luke 17:3 “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.”

James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”