If you’ve planted a church, and you’re honest with yourself, really honest, you might admit things have not turned out quite like you had planned. While others around you seem to be doing great things for God – baptizing, adding services, etc., you may still be struggling to figure things out.
You’re not alone. I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve begged, pleaded, and even made one-sided deals with God, promising Him I would dothis or that if he would just make it work!
Recently, we’ve seen much growth, and blessing. Here’s what I’m learning:
1. Jesus wasn’t my priority
Honestly, I know what it’s like to preach on Sundays without personally pursuing Jesus with my own heart during the week. The truth is Jesus won’t do something through you until He first does something in you. What’s He doing in you personally? Apart from your role as pastor, have you prioritized the presence of God in your life today?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. –Matt. 5:6
2. I divorced the vision
You can’t plant a church apart from vision, period. If Jesus has given you a vision for your church, you better be willing to die for it! Early on, I divorced the vision that God gave me, because others told me it was too grandiose, while they struggled to keep their church doors open. I soon realized they were mistaken, because any vision I could pull off on my own was not God-sized! If you’ve heard from God, be bold. Go public with your vision today!
Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained. – Prov. 29:18a
3. I didn’t have a coach
GET A COACH! Adding an expert to your staff is an invaluable investment. My coach, Charles Hill, has taught me more in four months than I’ve learned in two years. Even the best athletes in the world need a coach. You can’t afford not to have one. Trust me, get a coach today!
