Very Important Work
Dear Pastors
Last week I wrote about the need for what some Christian leaders in NZ are calling a 2nd Reformation. Believing that the current ‘state of affairs’ is completely broken these folks believe only a Reformation of the breadth and depth of the first Reformation will see the necessary changes that will bring any hope to the effectiveness of the church as we know it. Though I agree with some of their concerns I personally don’t subscribe to this position.
Instead I wrote this:- “In the absence of a ‘Reformer’ sent by God (of the Luther variety) and in the absence of a ‘Reformation Movement’ that is widely recognised as the new thing that God is doing then I think we ‘work while it is still day for the night comes when no one can work”. John 9:4
I would like to propose today that there is some work that is absolutely critical in this post- Christian and gospel resistant culture we now have in NZ. Further should you ignore this you do so at your own peril. I know this is strong language but I truly believe there is some work that is absolutely non-negotiable. This is what you are paid to do, Pastor. Did I just say that?
1. Work hard to discover your church’s DNA. I wrote about this here. I believe every local church has a unique DNA. Discover that, rejoice in it and then design your ministry around it and you will be amazed at what God will do in and through you and your church.
2. Determine to be a ‘permission giving’ pastor and in doing so create a permission giving culture church wide. Do the work of Ephesians 4:11-13 and make this your priority. Remember the beauty and the effectiveness of any local church is about all of us not just the paid staff. Give ministry away not as a ‘programme’ but as a natural way of life. Trust your people. Equip your people. Cast a compelling vision of what you can do and who you can become.
3. Love the Kids. A word to Senior/Sole Pastors. If you genuinely love the kids (babies to 18 year olds) you may never have a church growth problem again.
4. Love not-yet-christian people and expect that the Holy Spirit will draw them to your church. Not because you have fancy ads and bold signs but because you make room for them and when they are with you they can ‘feel’ the love, acceptance and forgiveness in the place. Create an invitational culture. Please remember 90% of NZ’ers do not go to church on Sundays.
5. Invest heavily into Sunday mornings. It is still the front door of your church (I know there are a few exceptions to this). If you work really hard to provide high quality age appropriate programmes, you respect people’s time AND you learn to speak to both the already convinced and the not-yet-convinced adults in front of you then….well yes the sky is the limit.
Of course there is other work that needs to be done but that work is secondary in my opinion. If you as pastor give around 70%-80% of your time to these five things consistently year in and year out then I believe, can I say it again, you will be amazed what God will do in you as a church and then through you. The world desperately needs local churches that are filled with hope, contagious with the love of God and where the Holy Spirit is welcome to do what He alone can do.
Let’s more can and should be said about this topic. But for now it is time to go for a bike ride.
Blessings
Alan
Advance Notice. I will be hosting a ‘Training for Pastors’ Symposium on Wednesday 19th February 2020 in Hamilton. This one day symposium will look into models of training, content and delivery of training. I am now calling for papers to be written. For more info please contact me directly.
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.
