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Lessons From Desert Man
The Small Church #8
Your Strengths are Your Weaknesses
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At the transition into a new year, the hunt begins
. Each pastor, elder, council member, committee chairman,
and self proclaimed prophet is looking for that fabled
"weak link" in the church life. We know that if we
can just find it, a resolution by New Year's repentance,
or committee decision will put us on the right track
toward success. New Year after New Year, we follow
the same grueling course of corporate introspection,
like bloodhounds on a coon hunt.
We do discover weaknesses, which can be rectified.
Often, we are reminded by well meaning church people,
that certain aspects of the ministry, once improved,
will bring God's favor and blessing.
So, we make those resolutions we deem necessary, and
if they are not unreasonable, are able to keep them
through the following year. Occasionally, they yield
the results we hope for. More often, they do not significantly
change either the quality, or the quantity of church
life. Some leaders plug through this process each
year, with the same courageous hope, while others
who are of weaker constitution fall to the wayside,
sickened in heart by this deferred hope.
Christianity is a life of repentance and change. Without
these elements it is impotent against the tide of
corruption, and the lies presented by our current
world system. Resolutions therefore, are also a part
of daily living in Christ. If approached with grace,
rather than legalism or judgment, we can make changes
in the patterns of things we do, and these changes
will bring our hoped results.
Yet, in our hunt for improvement, we often chase the
scent of the snipe. By not realizing that there could
be weaknesses in our church life, which we consider
to be strengths, we may be following false trails.
As a result, we continue on in the same patterns of
mediocrity, which we so desperately hope to kill.
The church with strong teaching often reacts aggressively
to the real, or perceived imbalances found within
other movements of the faith . The disciples of these
ministries are never as balanced as their leaders,
so they hammer the their fellow Christians of other
traditions as heretics and infidels. The ability to
debate and present a position, with sound logic and
quick response is a great strength in the teaching
ministry. Yet, this same strength becomes a weakness,
when we feel the need to lay our own brethren open,
with the swipe of "the sword."
Deliverance ministries gone awry chase dark shadows,
leaving the demons laughing behind their backs. "Seeker
sensitivity" without discipleship creates shallow
Christianity, or may even fill the pews with sinners,
who feel quite comfortable with their spiritual condition.
Social and political action are good, but at the expense
of evangelism and discipleship, they become a mere
soapbox. Prophetic ministries unchecked have left
amazing wreckage, in the wake of their "anointed"
stirrings.
Yet, of all the possible strengths a given fellowship
may have, there is one, which most often be comes
a weakness in the small church - fellowship.
Fellowship is usually tight in the small church. Friendships
are easily made, and most people feel as though they
know everyone else. Yet, the natural strength of the
small church becomes a weakness, when the friendliness
of the people is not focused outward to an unbelieving
world. It becomes a holy huddle of belly-button gazers,
and is therefore perceived by visitors as a clique.
The importance of friendships within the life of the
church cannot be over-stressed. The ability of the
small church to fill this need comes naturally. Unfortunately,
many small churches have become caring among themselves,
yet have neglected the care of the Great Commission.
Until we extend our care to this world, we will remain
small and unchallenging to our enemy, who holds the
nations under his evil power.
Use each season of retrospection to examine your strengths,
as well as your weaknesses, and you may find that
some of your strengths have indeed become a weakness.
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