The Diagnostic Question
Dear Pastors
Over the next four weeks I want to recommend to you a diagnostic question and for something a wee bit different my four favourite Christian songs on my playlist at present. When life is challenging as it is in present times, our souls need uplifting music. And we must take time to listen and sing and enjoy. But first let’s talk about Diagnosis then plug in the sub-woofer and wind up the volume.
A Diagnostic question is a method of inquiry that requires of us to look below the service, to analyse, to investigate with the intention of solving a current problem or potential problem looming on the arisen.
In the medical profession a diagnosis is “the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms”. When you are feeling unwell or showing some kind of symptoms we go to the doctor and he/she checks us over, usually runs a few tests with the goal to find out what is wrong. We pay our 60 bucks hoping and expecting a diagnosis.
Imagine the Doctor who says to you after the test results are in, ‘you are fine, you are in great health’, all the while knowing you are not fine in fact you have an illness. Let me tell you straight...that Doctor will be gone by lunchtime. No, you expect the Doctor to tell you the truth no matter how bad things might be. You want and need the truth. You are paying the Doctor to tell you the truth.
As Pastors we need at times to be like a Doctor. The church is a living organism and sometimes bad cells arise or if a particular ministry practise or routine continues then bad cells will arise in the future. It’s predictable. There is a cause and then there is an effect. Therefore the sooner we ask the diagnostic question, the sooner we actually run the tests and do a diagnosis the less damage or entropy there will be. As they say early detection is critical to quick recovery and return to wellness.
So, over the next three weeks here are the three questions I would like to explore with you.
- How many of your people (congregation) are confident to give a bold witness for Jesus?
- What is he average age of your congregation?
- How are important decisions made in your church?
In the meantime you may like to have a think about these 3 questions and/or come up with your own that may be more pressing than the ones I will write about above.
Song Suggestion
This famous church in New York makes a church choir the coolest thing. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing Psalm 34 in a ‘live’ church service on 25th June 2018.
With over 20 million views you will see and hear 6 mins of the most beautiful singing and 2 mins of free praise. This is Gospel music at it’s best.
WARNING: If this doesn’t get you on your feet and hands in the air you may need a little heart surgery...just saying.
Blessings
Alan
Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.
