This morning I had the opportunity to get away and visit a sister church in the area. It turned out to be an interesting Sunday to be a visitor - the congregation had a "State of the Church" message. What I thought would be a boring report, was actually an enlightening revelation. Here are a few things I took from this morning's worship:
1. There is something special that happens when a church looks honestly at its successes and failures and then shares those insights openly. I learned more in 45 minutes about this church than you can often gain from sitting in a pew for months. Not only did they share their victories, the oustanding mission work they are doing and the community outreach, but they talked plainly about their struggle with small groups, getting people to volunteer and the low numbers of folks actively serving.
The successes were offered in a meek and humble fashion and their failures where not critical or indictments of anyone, just an honest assesment with a prayer that they might better serve in 2012.
2. I was struck by the use of Revelation 3:1, 2 - "you have a reputation that you are alive, but you are dead." A stunning indictment of the church at Sardis, but this congregation had the courage to ask the tough question, "are we living off our reputation, of the good we have done in the past, or are we continuing to labor to be a leaven and salt in our community." I am reminded of what Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Awake, O Sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine in you." (Eph. 5:14).
3. Finally, the leadership spelled out their vision and goals for 2012. Outreach, lost souls, making a difference in the community. This was a church that was looking forward and outward, not inward. They realized that the Lord's work is never done.
No comments:
Post a Comment