How To Have A Mission-Hearted Church In A Mission-Minded World 3
Posted by wagardner - 27/03/08 at 10:03:11 pmby Greg Locke, Pastor of Global Vision Baptist Church
9. EMERGE AS THE LEADER AND THE CHURCH WILL FOLLOW. This point is primarily for the Pastor. It is time that Pastor’s take spiritual responsibility for their sheep and lead the way that the New Testament teaches them to. The Pastor is the “pace-setter” in the church. If the vision fails, it is because he did not sharpen his leadership. If a church is to reach out to the community and on to the world, then the Pastor MUST take full responsibility for the outcome. In every major step of faith, there is risk. A man that will never take a risk is a small thinker, and small thinkers are not men with a vision from God. The Pastor needs to take the reins under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and move forward in the area of missions if he desires the people to follow. Congregationally ruled churches are man-made and ARE NOT taught in the New Testament. Bold and Biblicalleadership is not to be confused with dictatorship. People have problems following a man that has no real sense of direction. But when they find man that fears only God and knows where he is headed, then they will follow by the multitudes and take on his vision. A Pastor does not attract who he wants. He will always attract who he is. As goes the leader, so goes the church. Lead my friend, in the area of missions, and the people will no doubt follow.
10. EXPECT PEOPLE TO MAKE COMMITMENTS AND THEN TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH THEM. We have swallowed the belief that people don’t want expectations placed upon them. That is simply not true. People desire to be taught, and even more so desire the practical truth of how to apply that teaching. When it comes to giving, and in particular giving to missions, people must be made aware of the great need and then given an opportunity to respond to that need. After a commitment is made, it needs to be stressed and addressed often that God expects us to keep our word to him as well as to others. People often say, “Folks don’t always do what you expect, rather what you inspect.” If you do expect things of people, then you must inspect how they are doing in regards to their commitment. Many churches call this type of commitment to missions a Faith Promise. The church I Pastor calls it The Missions Challenge. Whatever tag one places upon it, it is certainly a Scriptural principle.
11. EXAMPLE FAITH IN YOUR OWN LIFE AS THE LEADER. The Bible gives us many examples of those who exercised great faith. The Lord understands that we need examples of those who have gone on before us in order to be motivated ourselves. If the Pastor and leadership of a church do not step out in absolute faith, then there is no reason to wonder why the congregation never does. People are people, and by very nature they must see something working in someone else’s life before they are willing to jump on board and go full force themselves. There are forty verses in Hebrews chapter eleven that show all of us just what God can do with those that truly trust Him. Faith is not forced. It has to be fed by example. If the leadership will exemplify great faith, then those who follow will naturally do the same.
12. ENLARGE THE AMOUNTS THAT ARE GIVEN PER MISSIONARY. The best philosophy for a good and rock solid missions program is not more missionaries for less money, but fewer missionaries for more money. So many churches around the country send tiny little checks to missionaries and then brag about how many missionaries they support on a monthly basis. It’s not how many you support that matters. What matters is what is being done with the money that is reaching the most amount of people. Ten, twenty-five or even fifty dollars a month in today’s economy just isn’t going to pay the expenses, much less make mission work as effective as it should be. Churches should intensely focus on a few major works and help them be all they can be for the glory of God. This would also lead to churches supporting their own sent out missionaries with full support in order that they may quickly get to the field and not waste three to five years and countless thousands of dollars on the deputation trail.
13. ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERS TO READ MISSIONS BOOKS. One of the greatest blessings that a Christian will ever experience is reading about the great trials and blessings of other faithful followers of Christ. There are volumes of missionary biographies that will enhance ones passion for missions as well as sharpen their vision for stewardship in that area. Children need to be taught to read the lives of great men and women of God. Pastors should highly encourage the congregation to read books about missions and missionaries. The church library or bookstore should be a storehouse of mission’s material for people to devour. People really do want to learn, they just need lots of “prodding” and encouragement along the way. If we expect people to get the picture, then we have got to paint it for them.
14. ERECT A CHANGE FOUNTAIN AND CALL IT A “MISSIONS WELL.” All over the world you will find fountains that are full of change because folks have been told to make a wish and throw in some coins. Why not place a change fountain in the lobby of the church and put a sign on it that reads, “Quit your wishins and give to missions.” It is a very effective way to keep the theme before the people at all times as well as adding up all the pocket change from around the house. Children will love it and before you know it, hundreds of dollars will have been thrown into the “mission well.” Besides, a nice looking fountain will greatly add to the décor of a church building.
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