What is God Doing?
The myth is that a good Sunday morning sermon will build a congregation. A sermon is important, biblical, and a key component, but it is only one of the building blocks for a strong and healthy congregation.
Our Covenant journey has been a progressive experience with lots of plateaus. The Lord has taught us that plateaus are not flat and dull. Plateaus if prayerfully and gainfully experienced are opportunities to dig deep, work out system problems, and plan for launch. Think how long it takes to get the space shuttle ready for launch.
Initially, as the only employee of Covenant Church my responsibility was 360 degrees, or so I thought. Nevertheless, in my lack of understanding I attempted to be Superman---here, there, everywhere, every event, and still responsible for lawns, maintenance, cleaning, lessons, choir, sermons, et al. I was living what I had seen.
One of the great awakening moments was mowing the lawn. The church had two old Sears mowers. Mow and put one in the shop. Get the other mower out. Mow and put the second mower in the shop. Get the first one out. Got the idea. Junk mowers. After every mowing my back hurt. Of course the preacher's son also helped mow.
I decided not to mow the church lawn ever again. The grass grew. Folks would say: "Pastor, the grass needs cutting." I would just nod in agreement. The grass grew until it was almost to the knees in places.
One day men came to mow the church lawn. Good brothers. They mowed their own lawns. I do not know when it had come to be understood that the pastor was expected to mow the church lawn. Maybe it was the pastor's fault for the default.
Next Church Elders' meeting we were completing our agenda when a brother asked if he could present a request. "Pastor, if we are going to be an up-and-coming church, we need to look at everything. Our old lawnmowers are in pretty bad shape...." The end result was that in 1982 they decided then and there to spend $1600 for a fancy Yazoo self-propelled, state-of-the-art lawnmower!
The light bulb came on. More would get done if I would get out of the way. My challenge since 1982 has been learning to lead and stay out of the way of capable people who love God as much as I do.
We have moved through a series of different administrative models and techniques. What has been most painful is the constant awareness that I must lead, but I must not control. I must be the first to change. I must be willing to give up control, to trust, and to believe that others are gifted and willing. Not all are called to be a pastor. But all are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to a specific task in Christ's Church.
In careful reading about the Tabernacle in the Wilderness of Sinai it becomes apparent that tasks included cutting wood, cleaning lampstands, inspecting animals, collecting offerings, guarding the doors, and carrying out the trash---even the dung (manure). All of these tasks were associated with the high and holy occasion of the High Priest entering once each year into the Holy of Holies.
Yes, the Holy Spirit is the Administrator of the Church. Whatever is necessary for the Church to be strong, viable, and to fulfill the mission Jesus intended, the Holy Spirit calls and equips workers---cleaning the restrooms, teaching, lawn work, singing....
At this present time Covenant is adopting a team-based model with MAT concept. MATs (Ministry Action Teams) are formed for different areas of ministry with each member having assigned duties. This is a departure from "committee" concept with persons advising the leader what needs to be done and the leader then being responsible to see that the tasks are done.
The challenge will be for all the MATs to work together in close harmony to insure coordination and prevent duplication. We have made a lot of progress, but there is work to be done.
At the core of this new model of administration is the concept of being a volunteer-based movement. This is a shift away from "paid staff" mentality. Paid staff becomes the facilitator for volunteers. The strength of leadership is measured by the engaging and equipping of volunteers.
I am convinced that a careful study of Jesus and the 12 Disciples is as much about administration as it is about preaching and teaching. No matter how much we know, if we cannot equip and engage others growth is impossible or limited. What God is doing is teaching us that we can do so much more if we work together.
May the Lord give us courage and wisdom to work together with maximum efficiency and for maximum production...to His glory.
With love,
Pastor Bare
Text: Read Matthew 5 for context. Jesus apparently preached the Sermon on the Mount only to His disciples. It was a day in the School of Jesus.