As I sit on my porch this rainy afternoon, I feel impressed to share some thoughts. I’ve been distressed at the amount of conflict I sense in the church body as of late. As a pastor of a local church, I have to say I’ve sensed the pull to “protect” my congregation, but I have to know what I’m protecting it from. Sometimes, we’re “protecting” from the very thing God is doing, simply because it is outside of our ministry. What do I mean? Well, as a mighty move of God is sweeping across our region, there are many things occurring that do not fit “business as usual”! Just as I, and other local pastors may be feeling this, I imagine the apostles and evangelists are feeling a similar resistance to their ministry as they are out spreading the fire of the Kingdom.
I’ve spent much time in prayer and meditation on the Word to come to what I’m about to share. Is it complete? NO! Is it necessary right now? I would say YES! We must find the true balance that God created when he placed ministries in the church.
Let me begin by sharing a bit of my story. As a young person growing up in the early 70’s there were many influences drawing me to the world. Much of what we see today as anti-Christian sentiment was born in the 60’s and 70’s. I had an introduction to the church and what I saw as religion, but have to say it was not much more than a social club in my view. As I began to venture further down the wrong road, which I don’t see the need to detail here, something came into my life to interrupt that path.
A Godly man who was serving in the role of youth pastor took several of us to the Pontiac Silverdome to a Billy Graham Crusade. To be quite honest, I do not remember my thoughts leading up to it, nor much of my feelings afterward, but I can attest to what changed in my life as a result. Now please bear with me here, I will get back to the theme of this article!
When I looked back at my life many years later, I recognized that God moved many people and influences out of my life, and others into it. You see, I made a commitment to Christ that evening. I went forward, prayed with someone, and became a born again believer. So, God began to protect me in ways I didn’t even recognize at the time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a church that focused on discipleship that kept me grounded in the Word and focused on my new life, or if I did, I didn’t embrace it. Consequently, I continued flirting with sin and wrong living for another 7 or 8 years.
Thankfully, God moved me into a situation where I found myself in a Bible believing church, teaching the Word and standing on Truth.
I don’t regret the lost years as I know what Paul said to the Romans “ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Now back to my initial premise. We are currently seeing a move of God that is touching many lives and delivering people from unspeakable bondage. Music ministries and evangelistic outreaches are exploding. So why are some in the church resisting and even speaking out against it? I’m convinced that it is due to misaligned expectations and misunderstandings.
When we read of Paul’s missionary journeys, we read of miracles and amazing signs following him. What we also read is how he established the local churches everywhere he went. Most of his letters were written to those churches, encouraging, correcting and instructing.
It’s a strong bible believing, truth preaching church that is intended to build disciples and equip the army of God.
The Christian life is a marathon, not a series of sprints. We need days and seasons of refreshing to continue to build the church and reach the lost. What we should be cautious of is creating a culture of immediacy and forgetting the importance of Kingdom living.
Hear me now, it’s not the job of the evangelist to change what they’re doing, it’s the responsibility of us all to ensure those touched by the move of the Spirit find a place to be rooted and grounded in the Word to grow.
Philippians 1:6 says “He that began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in the Day of Christ”. I believe we have people who so enjoy the “beginning” that they never want to work toward “completion”. Notice my use of the word “work”. Philippians 2:12 says “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” The bible is full stories of signs and wonders, but between those events is daily life. A life dedicated to Christ, no matter the circumstance. Period! The only way for us to get there is to Run the Race set before us.
So where does the church find balance? It is in the full operation of the 5-fold ministries in the Church. As a pastor, I should embrace the work of the evangelist and as an evangelist, they should embrace the work of the local church. As a believer, new or seasoned, you need to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in both.
If we spend our time going from event to event, we will end up being a shallow Christian, much like the “seeds scattered on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root”. Matthew 13:5-6
There’s room for all of us in the church, in fact, we’re all necessary to be the church without spot or blemish that Christ will return to. In the meantime, let’s celebrate what God is doing and support the main purpose we all have. It’s the charge Jesus left us with as He ascended to heaven.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
God’s Blessings,
Pastor Dennis