A Pattern for "church"

A Pattern for "church"

"So Moses said to the Lord, "Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me?" Nu 11:11-12 NKJV

 
This is not a burden Moses desired to reject, or to even really complain about. It was not his desire to shirk his responsibility, but the true burden was his desire to see the people totally fulfilled by following the desires of the Lord. He cared so much for the people that he was willing to bargain his own eternity for their lives.


"Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin — but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." Ex 32:31-32 NKJV

This doesn't sound like a leader desiring to throw his congregation away because of their lack of following the Lord, but one who desires to intercede on their behalf. I truly believe most pastors feel the same way. I know their desire is to care for their congregation and to reach the lost and bring them into the sheepfold. But the pressure continues; placed on the pastors by themselves and the congregation. If there is a decline in the congregation, the credit will go onto the "leader", but if there is an increase, many are ready to accept the credit. But as a leader, I do find myself taking more credit for decline than for increase. Many leaders will take the blame for decline and most give God the credit for the increase, when, in all reality, if the leaders are truly following the Lord, the Lord is sovereign over both.

 
Craig Groeschel once said, "We must be careful not to blame ourselves for the decrease or we might be tempted to take credit for the increase."
 

The temptation is, and always has been, for churches to gravitate to new and fresh programs and ideas in order to maintain numbers or reach others. I don't believe this comes from desperation but from a sincere desire to grow the Kingdom. The problem we have now is that so much of what we do is only attracting Christians or at the very least, other church's members. This is not adding to the pot, it is only stirring the pot. It seems we are spending much of our resources on the church in the name of "making disciples." Why is it that Jesus only spent three years making disciples and we are taking 20, 30, 40, even 50 years to make a disciple that may not even share the Gospel with another person! This frustration is seen when the apostle Paul accused the church of being milk babies that were unable to eat solid food.

 
The greatest action for the church today is not to be “cool” or “un-cool”, traditional or modern, but the greatest action for the church is to be authentic!  If the church is created to be the Body of Christ, then BE the Body of Christ! 

The one that got away

I spend much of my life looking for men of God to follow in their dust. It seems the Lord is very particular when growing these men. It only stands to reason why these men are so few and far between. I often enjoy these older men who become "sages" after their years of maturing. When one of these men are found, I want to draw from their wisdom and personality everything I possibly can. I have been fortunate to have been led to a few of these precious gems in my life and will continue the search. Young men and boys need these seasoned influences in their lives. Older mentors ready and willing to invest more than money into their lives but to invest themselves. Paul, in all his wisdom and education followed in the footsteps of Gamaliel; one of the greatest rabbis in history. Not only did Paul learn the Scripture, along with all its meanings, but I am sure he drew much wisdom about life as well. Paul was always anxious to take on others to share this wisdom. Barnabas and Timothy were among the more well known, but I suspect their were scores of young men hungry for the care and leadership that Paul could offer.

Paul, in all humility, knowing he himself was not perfect, as he addressed himself as the "chief" of sinners, was committed to following Christ in his life and desired for others to follow his example.

"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." 1 Cor 11:1 NKJV

No one on this earth is perfect but many have the desire to live in such a way that will be pleasing to the Lord. We must all live as unto the Lord in everything we do and continue to grow in Christ.

It is important to all of us as men and women that we find others to include in our lives that help us grow in Christ. I personally found Gary Taylor to be one of those men and was so looking forward to many years with him. My friend and mentor, Gary Taylor, 58, went home to be with his Lord last night very unexpectedly. God allowed him to finish well. We enjoyed the final Men’s Fraternity meeting for this season together with two of his sons and his brother David yesterday. What a blessing God bestowed on this family and this community through him.

Now I feel I am back to square one, in search of another male mentor to disciple me as I look to find younger men to disciple. Although Gary will be missed, I know for sure I will see him again. Not only in eternity, but through the legacy he has left behind in his sons and his disciples.

In Christ

Bro. Martin