Multiplicity

It truly amazes me how God works out the schedules of man. This afternoon was no different, and little did I know, I would end up in a service that I desperately needed, and afterward, talking to an incredible man of God, who also happens to be the lead pastor of the church.

As my current job has afforded me the opportunity to visit a number of churches on Sundays and Wednesdays alike, I often fly under the radar, in particular with regards to Bring Me 70, almost as if I am just taking the service in, rather than promoting something that is still in start-up mode. However, tonight, the calling of ministry arose, so did my perceived need for Bring Me 70.

As we made our way to the lobby, he explained that he had built a pretty good team of people, and in particular some in pastoral positions, that have allowed him to expand his ministry to other pastors and churches and places of influence, whether in their home community or surrounding areas.

Now, obviously, every church and community loves a pastor that is totally committed to their particular people, but eventually, if the life and ministry-related experience of the pastor is not utilized to impact and influence other relationships and opportunities outside the church, then doing church has the danger of becoming routine.

And as this particular explained, routine has the potential to diminish how you feel God's role in your life, as though you are not capable of God doing great and wonderful things in and through your life. (I wrote down how he said, but of course, now, it's not in front of me, b/c is truly profound.)

If the church is not growing, in maturity, in discipline, in ministry and ultimately, in numbers, then eventually the pastor will feel as though nothing is going on our no ground is being gained. There is a time for each...if your growing in numbers, you'll eventually need to focus on maturity; and if you are focusing on maturing what you have, then growth might not be playing as significant a role in your outreaches.

In the end though, growth and development by definition, require the expansion of borders.
New conversations. New relationships. New opportunities. New strategies. New ventures.

The cool part is, as that pastor engages outside of the church, he or she will naturally return with new vigor and new insight as to what and how new elements and strategies can be implemented into their church that will take them to the next level, to accomplish greater things for the Kingdom and glory of God.
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