Are you afraid to do things you've never done? Of course, we all are. Why? Because we like security. But what is security really? The status quo? What makes us feel secure about the status quo? I think it is because it is what others have done before us and what we have been doing for a long time.
Too often, we continue in the path we are in, whether it is right or wrong, even when we are not satisfied with the results we are getting because we are too afraid of what stepping outside our comfort box would cause to happen. Doing what is safe and secure(to us) will not result in lasting church growth, just as it never results in lasting growth in the business world. People and circumstances in the world around us change, and we must change to meet them at their point of need. If we don't, we risk losing them for all eternity.
We're not talking here about changing doctrine or morals(unless they are unbiblical). What I mean is that we must change our methods sometimes to those different than what we have been using. Paul said " I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Are we willing to lay aside our personal preferences to reach people for Christ?
The litmus test is this: we have all heard the old tired cliche, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So the question is two part. One, are you satisfied with your results? More importantly, is He satisfied with your results?
Too often, we continue in the path we are in, whether it is right or wrong, even when we are not satisfied with the results we are getting because we are too afraid of what stepping outside our comfort box would cause to happen. Doing what is safe and secure(to us) will not result in lasting church growth, just as it never results in lasting growth in the business world. People and circumstances in the world around us change, and we must change to meet them at their point of need. If we don't, we risk losing them for all eternity.
We're not talking here about changing doctrine or morals(unless they are unbiblical). What I mean is that we must change our methods sometimes to those different than what we have been using. Paul said " I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Are we willing to lay aside our personal preferences to reach people for Christ?
The litmus test is this: we have all heard the old tired cliche, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So the question is two part. One, are you satisfied with your results? More importantly, is He satisfied with your results?
Pastor Ryan,
ReplyDeleteAnother good post, love the line "at the point of THEIR need" We are in the 21st century but many times the church world continues to play catch up while souls slip through our hands. Thanks for the post.