a leadership, technology, and innovation blog for pastors and church leaders
“Heart for the House” is a phrase that is common at Hillsong. It speaks of the loyalty, honor and single-mindedness that is felt for the local church. In this segment, I asked Joel to explain how they develop a “heart for the house.”
A few years ago, I sat on my back porch with one of our campus pastors who was struggling in his role. It was clear that he may not make it as a campus pastor.
It wasn’t because he wasn’t trying. This guy was bringing his best. And it wasn’t because he didn’t care. No one cared more than he did. This guy simply wasn’t succeeding at producing the right outcomes through his people.
When he asked my advice, I told him that God needed to break him. That obviously wasn’t what he wanted to hear. Through tears he told me that he was pretty sure that he was broken.
I explained that if he was “pretty sure,” then he wasn’t broken. When you are broken, you know for sure you are broken.
Over a series of other painful events, this campus pastor finally reached a place of deep brokenness before God. When many parts of his life fell apart, God started putting them back together. Almost overnight, this pastor became an infinitely better spiritual leader and is leading a campus in a way that truly honors God.
Recently he told a group of people, “You won’t really know the goodness of God until you are totally broken.”
If you are hurting deeply right now, God’s love and power are even more evident on the other side of brokenness.
I pray your church or ministry gives spontaneously to meet needs. But if we only give spontaneously, this style of giving will limit what we’re able to give. Another way to think about giving is to be strategic.
Isaiah 32:8 says, “But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity.” (NLT)
We could say generous churches plan to do what is generous. Instead of just planning our next building project or fundraiser, we should also “plan to do what is generous.”
Unquestionably we should plan to help the poor and needy. (Most churches do this well or at least are trying to do so.) We can also plan to help and support other churches or ministries.
In our meetings, we have learned to strategically ask, “What can we give to other churches to help them?”
When you plan to be generous, you might be surprised how many ways you can be a blessing.
How is God using your ministry to serve others?
For years, I wondered why some people seemed more excited about parachurch ministries than church ministries. Perhaps it is because our vision for the church has been too small.
Almost daily, I hear great church members excited about their “outside the church” ministry. Instead of whining about why they don’t give, serve, or care about the ministry of the local church, I’ve made two commitments:
Not surprisingly, God is turning many hearts back to loving his church!
I’m so thankful many Christians are becoming more missionally minded. This week alone, I’ve had people ask me (or our church) to support:
Each ministry is led by passionate believers hoping to make a difference. I’m sincerely thankful for each one.
But sadly, none of these ministries were an extension of any church. In fact, when I asked each one what church they were involved with, several didn’t have a church home.
Instead of branching off to do a new and separate ministry, I love when ministries are supported by a church.
A ministry sent from a church has some built in advantages that include:
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d love to see the church more involved in creating, blessing, and sending great ministries than seeing them birthed outside of the church.
In my own life, sharing the first 90% of my heart is the easiest. The first 90% rarely takes any risk.
When it comes to developing intimacy, it usually happens when I share the final 10%. (The final 10% often consists of some combination of my fears, insecurities, doubts, and weaknesses.)
Most likely, like you, I’ve been burned after sharing the final 10%. Because of my hurts, for too long I kept the final 10% to myself.
Looking back, it is amazing how much this barrier limited my relationships.
Now, I’m blessed to share the final 10% with many people. It is in final 10% I find the most healing, intimacy, and trust.
How about you?
I’ve noticed that when it comes to relationships, it is easy for me to rationalize giving 90%.
Jesus taught us to go the “extra mile” or give our coat as well as a shirt. If I stop serving others when I’ve given 90%, I haven’t given my best.
I’m writing this post on a plane after being at an out of town funeral. Normally, I would have flown home on an earlier flight. Today I booked a later flight to spend a little extra time ministering to the family.
Even though I’m very tired as I type this and I miss my wife and kids dearly, I’m still thankful God gave me the chance to give my final 10% to a family in need.
How have you recently shown the final 10% relationally? How have you not?
Whether in the classroom or on your own, I hope you are a student of God’s word. More than anything else, a good pastor will be built around a love for God’s people and for God’s word.
When a couple is about to divorce, a person is about to die, or you visit the parents of a child who just took his life, I promise you no one will be asking about your education. At those moments, the only thing that matters is that you are submitted to the Spirit of God.
All the classroom education in the world won’t prepare you for what you’ll see in ministry. I hope you’ll learn from other pastors, leaders, professors, and mentors. And I hope you’ll learn on the job as God corrects or confirms each step you take. That’s what I’m trying to do.
Praise God that He allows us to share His word and love.
Visit LifeChurch.tv OPEN to download free church resources. From series artwork and message transcripts to children's ministry and small groups, OPEN has what you need - for free!
A free online Bible empowering community and collaboration.
Visit YouVersion.com
Get a OnePrayer banner for your blog!
