Ed Stetzer left us with this memorable challenge at the Verge Conference:
It’s time we get off our blessed assurance and do something for Jesus.
Stetzer went on to emphatically challenge us with, “When we do for people what God called them to do, everyone get’s hurt and the mission of God gets hindered.” Stetzer believes the system of church in the west rewards pastors for meeting the needs of people in a co-dependent relationship. A co-dependency fed by the people’s need to be taken care of and the pastor’s need to be valued.
A recent survey of 7000 churches by Stetzer revealed less than 50% of church attendees are actively engaged in the ministry. He states, “Disciples don’t just know, they do. Something is broken.”
David Gibbons, a large church pastor and noted author, agrees with Stetzer and challenged his church to step up and own the ministry efforts. He suggested we’ve settled on a civil religion that was simply affirming our family’s values. There’s no longer any adventure, journey, or quest. He challenged if they weren’t suffering for the cause of Christ they shouldn’t be at peace.
The challenge cost him 33% of his congregation including long term friends. He is crushed and unsure where to go from here.
Should Gibbons keep pushing?
Yes…I think all of Jesus’s disciples would agree too. Do you love Jesus…? Feed his sheep. Do you really love Him…how can you ignore His creation/your fellow man?
An
Keep on pressing, pushing, and challenging.
Pastor Gibbons, if people walk away because you asked them to start giving their time instead of just taking your time, they were never with you anyway.
When I hear people complaining about their Pastor, I tell them to either follow the pastor as he follows Christ or leave and leave quickly. Otherwise they become a burden on the leadership.
It’s like two oxen’s with a yoke on, and one is dragging the other. If you dont want to go the same direction as the pastor, release yourself from the yoke so someone else can put it on to get the job done.
Jesus told His disciple’s not to waste time trying to make some people receive you and the call to action. He said if they dont get it, shake the dust off your feet and keep steppin to get the job done.
Take courage Pastor Gibbins.
Do not depend on people for the provision, it will come when you only and totally depend on God to work through the right people to support the ministry.
From my experience the number is well below 50%… and there in lies the solution. We need to convert the converted to be true desciples. it’s the old “give a man a fish vs teach him to fish” thing all over again…I would say that as painful as it is for pastor Gibbins, his words and actions are accurate. I also think that if we are honest to ourselves and our church family it is a question that we need to ask each morning and then take action on.
Joe
I agree with Joe, and it goes back to mentoring.
Teach and mentor a person how to be fishers of men. That is what the Church has to do so the body of Christ does not become a spectator or a hearer only.
What was Jesus’ model? Train them up…send them out.
Peace
Tyrone,
When you lose 33% of your friends you must totally learn to depend on God as you suggest. That is the tough challenge don’t you think?
Ed
Do you really love Him…how can you ignore His creation/your fellow man?
Ann, that’s an important question we all should be asking!
Ed
Joe,
We do need to convert the converted…well said! And that begins each morning as you suggest. Thanks for the challenge.
Ed
Tyrone,
A comment last week that fits with your thoughts here:
Jesus didn’t call 12 consumers, he called 12 disciples!
Yikes,
Ed