The following article was written by Ed Stetzer: All church planters would do well to read this excerpt that I have pasted here. You can read the whole article at: http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2009/01/starting-a-church-without-losi.html
Spiritual Renewal
I know this sounds basic, but many church planters neglect fundamental spiritual disciplines. An informal survey of Nehemiah Project church planters (North American Mission Board) revealed their greatest challenge was spending time with God. I talk to church planters all over the country from many denominations and I am amazed at how many find it difficult to maintain a quality relationship with God. They love God and trust him for the future of the church plant but for most it has become a long-distance relationship.
Church planting is a rigorous task that leaves planters physically, emotionally and spiritually drained. Church planters are busy and stressed. The inherent instability of church planting places constant pressure on these Alpha-leaders to excel. They feel that every sermon, every service, every advertisement, every contact, and every event must be exactly right for them to succeed. Performance pressure overwhelms their theological moorings as to who they are in Christ creating an incessant anxiety which drives them even further into the work that drains them. It's a vicious cycle.
Finding rest in the presence of God is the only answer. But rest rarely comes when the planter's mind is a vortex of what must be done next. "Next" becomes the enemy of God's work in their lives "now." Consequently, the planter's relationship with God gradually erodes over time leaving him spiritually dry and empty.
If you find yourself enslaved in the vicious cycle, there is only one answer-stop! Now, I don't mean push the "Pause" button on the church plant. But you need to put some of the responsibilities into the hands of others (even if they will not do it as good as you think you will) and give yourself more time for with God. Guarding your life with regular times of prayer, solitude, and Sabbath where you sit unhurried before God will ensure a rich and abundant reservoir of spiritual life and power. Planters who fail to keep their time with God a priority will invariably suffer in their personal walk and the church plant will feel the profound effects as well.
Ed Stetzer
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I found this article on Stetzer's blog yesterday and emailed it to my wife. We both are able to identify with this article from time to time.
I have found that when I back up, and put things into perspective, God tends to bless the ministry more. Plus, I vacation at least once per year.
Good to see you blogging again.
Stetzer's words ring loud in true, especially this, " The inherent instability of church planting places constant pressure on these Alpha-leaders to excel. They feel that every sermon, every service, every advertisement, every contact, and every event must be exactly right for them to succeed. Performance pressure overwhelms their theological moorings as to who they are in Christ creating an incessant anxiety which drives them even further into the work that drains them."
When we think this way...we have become the author of building the Lord's churches. I believe it was Jesus who said, "I will build my church."
May the Lord help us to understand that success is answering the call of God, and doing what God has called us to do! Thanks for the reminder!
Post a Comment