Leadership takes on all sorts of dimensions. One skill that needs more attention is taking warped congregational thinking and reworking it for good. The average Christian thinks too much of themselves. We are a bunch of sick gluttons of spiritual goods. God looks down lovingly appalled at how truly self-centered we can be. Pastors are stuck in the place of placating consumers while trying to lead their people into missional living (that happens to be about others). What a paradox!
Receiving a strong urging from his people to return to a one-service format, a pastor sought my counsel. There can be a time when this is the right course for the right reasons. Looking at all factors we finally got down to core issues. Why did some want to go back to one service? The answer was, of course, “To all be together.” Sounded innocent I suppose. Even noble. There’s nothing fiendish in that desire—is there?
Hell yes there is! The goal failed to reflect God’s heart to reach the people on the outside. Selfish! Did not Jesus lay down his life for the lost? Why do we succumb to Christians who are so unlike him in heart? I told the pastor not to cater to this, but to focus his people outwards. They needed a growth-mindset, not a cloistered one. Breaking the congregation’s consumer obsessions will be one of the most difficult leadership tasks. How do you love your people and still lead them to the promise land? Moses did it. So did Paul. They took some shots along the way and survived. So can you.
American Pastor—you are called to lead courageously! God is with you. It is well worth the fight. For your encouragement know this. Changing the congregational mindset can pave the way for growth. How the church thinks and acts can transform it from stagnation to life. Get to work in shaping both thought and action. It can help your church break from the confines of lake-like shores into the vitality of a flowing stream!