This week I want to offer some good words for your leadership soul… and the souls of your leaders!
Last week, I started reading/listening to the Gospel of Matthew with my friend Eugene Peterson’s The Message.
Allow me to simply offer this to you today. I’ve gone back to it a number of times. And, let me encourage you to share this with “the committed” at your place as well.
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
“You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
“You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
“Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
Matthew 5:1-12 (MSG)
One of our team members asks this question: So, what’s your path to making disciples at your church?
And then he explains that many churches probably have no path to making disciples…to investing in “the committed.” D2MC starts next month and might introduce the solution for you and your folks.
And, if you haven’t already? Register to join the webinar next week on January 19, at 10 am CT, for a 30-minute webinar with Rev. Paul and Beth Schult. You’ll identify with the struggle they experienced and you’ll be blessed by the journey out of it. Sign up here for the webinar.
You already know that 51% of mainline pastors are thinking of quitting…a statistic that rose sharply in the 22 months of COVID. Why don’t you extend this webinar invitation to a couple of folks you think might benefit. Forward this email or share this blog post and simply tell them: I know it’s been a tough season. I thought you might be blessed by this.
