Intentional

I read an article last night that outlined the advantages of having smaller churches of 100 rather than a mega-church of 5000. You can do the math. And while it raised some interesting and certainly valid points, many of which we have prayed over daily these past two and half years, I read it with the continual reminder of a phrase often heard around our church.

The larger we get, the smaller we need to get.

An intentional approach.

Increased responsibilities come, but if pastors and staff aren't prepared to grow with them...
Financial issues and problems exist across the board.
Larger churches may prevent more people from stepping into ministry, thinking they aren't qualified for such tasks or responsibilities.
It's easy to get focused on the quantity of people and status rather than the quality of the ministry and the health of the church.

Yet for all these and more, if we focus on intentional ministry...

... allowing more people to minister, as if they were taking on smaller groups rather than being overwhelmed.
... more contribution and participation from the entire church, as if whatever they were doing depended on everyone doing something to come alongside and help.
... focus on growing people and depth of faith, rather than growing congregations and influence of the church.

Being effective and efficient is like being a well-oiled machine. The equipment working together; quality parts doing quality work at the time and place that they are called upon to perform.

And yet the church falls apart, when high-quality people minister in less than quality ways at the wrong time and place.

So, no matter the size of the church in which you are apart, pray this #effectiveSunday that God would help us be intentional in all that we say and do. Pray that churches would be about quality ministry and developing mature faith. Pray that God would give wisdom; and call forth those He would desire to use for greater ministry to those in both the church and the community to help carry the load, reach the lost and impact those in need.

Intentional.
In our hearts, minds, attitudes and words.
In all we do, for the glory of God
And the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC