How do you keep your people’s passion for those who are far from God white hot? How can you tell how hot it is? We’re taking some posts to think through those issues. So how you feeling? (Hot, hot, hot).
How hot is your passion for evangelism? How can you raise the stakes in your church? A lot of it is about the battles you’re willing to fight.
When someone says, “Pastor, the music is just too loud.” Do you say, “Sorry, we’ll turn it down a little,” or, “Sorry, but the people we’re trying to reach don’t think it’s too loud.” If someone complains, “Pastor, there are people smoking out in front of the church.” Do you say, “Yeah, isn’t that too bad” or, “Yeah, isn’t that beautiful.” When someone asks, “Why don’t we have Precept bible studies like my friend’s church?” Do you say, “We may offer something like that someday,” or “Then why don’t you go to your friend’s church?” When someone says, “Pastor, why don’t we do just a few hymns?” Do you say, “Yeah, why don’t we?” or “Why don’t you take a flying leap off a …”
People can sense what hills you’re willing to die on. If you aren’t willing to die for evangelism, your people won’t be willing to really live for it…
- featured on newchurches.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Hot, Hot, Hot (Part 7)
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3 comments:
Vince,
Good words. I think as a church planter, looking to just survive, planters are often tempted to cave in, thinking it won't really change the vision. I know for us, having a couple people committed to evangelism and the philosophy of ministry that we have, made all the difference. When one of us was tempted to add precept, or turn down the music, or whatever - the other helped hold our ground. I'd much rather deal with, by the way, people smoking in the parking lot, then people blowing smoke about how spiritual they are, and how "deep" we are not (even though they couldn't give two hoots about people who are sitting all around them, who are disconnected from Jesus).
You are such a breath of fresh air. You have spoken the words that were jumbled with frustration in my heart. It is good to know that my passion is not alone, nor am I too far off the mark. I get those questions quite regularly, and I start to feel like a monster, because the big bad mean pastor said NO. It is more comforting than you'll ever know to hear that I am not actually a monster, but just sticking to my passion for the lost. Ahhhh (sigh of relief). Thanks for leading the way, and keep up the good fight. You're making huge changes in the world...even if you cannot see them directly.
Wow, thanks. And you're welcome!
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