Have We Been Aiming At The Wrong Goal?

Good Afternoon!

For many years I worked as a Pastor, a Bible School Dean and Ministry Director. I was very zealous and committed to the work, giving it my all. I was convinced I was doing the right thing and was confident that my motives were scripturally aligned.

Because the model of church and ministry was clearly laid out---at least I thought so, I had a track to run on and believe me, I was running on it. Seventy five hour work weeks were common place but I justified it all because I was, “doing the Lords work.”

But as I have had time to step back and really examine my actions, I know I was very sincere but sincerely wrong. I was aiming at the wrong goal.

Let’s briefly examine 7 areas that I feel are off track.

1. We usually think that for the pre-believer, the ultimate goal is to see them converted (saved) but in fact, that is not the ultimate goal but rather their first step. The ultimate goal is to see them become a fulfiller of their God-given purpose and become a Kingdom Carrier, completing their destiny. Too often, converts comfortably take their place in “row 4” and become weekly consumers, which was never His plan. (every joint supplies) “If we could just get them saved” can’t be the goal.

2. The general concept of Discipleship has been to attempt to transfer knowledge and experience in the hope in seeing maturity and growth in the recipient. This is usually an attempt to prepare a person for ministry in whatever form that might take. Although the scripture is very clear, “…go and make disciples…” we have generally interpreted that to mean that it is about ones growth and development. Again, although this can be a worthwhile result, it is not the primary end goal. The real goal is to transform Nations (Math 28:19). But as long as we focus on the goal of transforming us, we never get to the real task of disciplining Nations. The goal is National transformation accomplished through disciple makers, not discipled people who have just grown in faith and experience.

3. The vast majority of Pastors today are consumed by numerical church growth. They are judged by it and rewarded for it. It speaks to position, prestige and perceived accomplishment. Full seats in auditoriums become the bench-mark of success. Congregational growth is the ongoing goal but it is too often the goal of necessity not a New Testament expectation. We are to be building His Kingdom, not our own. As long as church growth is allowed to dominate and distract from the real task of taking over personal spheres, regions and nations, we will remain a vague and irrelevant segment of a very secular society. If each believer was committed to the transformation of their individual sphere of influence rather than leaving it to the “clergy”, church growth would be a natural by-product rather than the primary goal. When believers are passionately motivated and presented with the correct Biblical perspective, rather than the church numeric growth model, they desire to congregate, worship and fellowship. Church growth can’t be considered the goal but rather an organic by-product of genuine Biblical Christianity.

4. It seems today that we are motivated to “give” by those suggesting that if we give, we will receive back. Although most Christians would deny that the receiving back is a powerful motivation to give, I believe it is an underlining propellant. We usually hear about the one who emptied their wallet or even their bank account, giving it all and then received greater increase. This then projects the message that if you give it all, we will always get much more back. It isn’t stated but inferred that it will come back in dollars and cents and will happen very quickly. Although I am a great believer in giving and also know that some are extraordinarily blessed when they gave their all, I also know of many more accounts of people who gave large sums of money without receiving the anticipated, 30-60-100 fold return. Could it be that we are understanding the principal of giving but expecting the wrong outcome? Seeing that the Old Testament concept of tithing was replaced by the understanding that 100% of who we are and what we have, comes from Him and belongs to Him, (we are just stewards) why would we be motivated by receiving back for ourselves, when He owns it all anyway? The goal can’t be getting, it must be giving, then all we do receive is recognized as an expression of His love for us, not a payment for what we initiated. I’m suggesting we ask the Father to develop with in us the heart of a giver not the heart of a getter.

5. Five Fold Ministry Anointing’s (enabling’s). Over the past number of decades we have seen the rise and acceptance (in some circles) of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. The Pastor/Teacher and even the Evangelist are very familiar and widely acknowledged but it’s just been the last few decades that the other two have been recognized. In many Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations, the Apostle and Prophet have been given official status and position but if I asked to have their primary function outlined, too often how they flowed with, and expressed their anointing, would be highlighted. What we have discovered however is that the primary role and function based on Ephesians 4:11 “…equipping the saints for the work of the ministry…” has been superseded by the individuals performing the functions themselves and perceiving that they are fulfilling their call rather than primarily being equippers, content to function behind the scenes, equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. The Five Fold Ministers are to be equippers not ministry celebrities.

6. Bible Schools and Bible classes. Based on the current Constantine church and ministry model that the North American Christian community adheres to, Bible Schools are endeavouring to raise up either men and women to Pastor local churches or to be support mechanisms in those churches. The focus is to raise up ministers to oversee and grow a flock but without the overriding and consistent view of what a New Testament ministry is to be. As I’m sure you know, the word minister means to serve. Too many leaders feel they are serving the local congregation as they grow the numbers, minister on Sunday, council, baptise, marry and bury. Although very necessary, all these elements are secondary to the real goal. Bible School or Bible classes should exist to equip the ekklisia to do the work of the ministry but not within the four walls of a church building. They are to transform their spheres of influence as they live life in the communities God plants them in. The real goal is not to transfer knowledge so one can become a church employee or volunteer but to equip the saints to transform and take over their individual spheres of influence.

7. Church Attendance. This can never be a goal in our personal lives nor should it be the goal of leadership for a given congregation. If we feel we must count and record attendance, then we are looking at the church methods and the results of those methods, as people are there (they just “attend”). Leaders can get so distracted by the anointing (Gods enabling) that they feel their sermons and ministry become the catalyst to individual growth and transformation. Jesus said that He would build His church (the ekklisia). I wonder why so many Pastors work so hard at trying to do it?The reason for church attendance is too often personality, facility or programs driven but I believe it would be a natural outcome if the ekklisia were equipped to do the work of ministry in their spheres of influence rather than within the four walls of a local church building.

George

Comments

11/18/2016
Hi George would you agree?

The greatest pleasure the God of the universes can possibly experience is me out of my own FREE will loving Him back.

11/19/2016
The Great Reformation isn't over, it was just the beginning of the reforming of the Church, continually undoing and detaching what man has piled on the original freely receive, freely give Church! The people transformed into the image of Jesus, with His DNA, transforming the Nations, everything else will be the byproduct of that - Built on the Foundation and Motive of Love for One Another! All flowing out of our Relationship with the Father!

12/2/2016
Having read thro' your 5 Major Points, and yes they are Major.
They should not be that.
Ideally they should be the Fundamental Basic Norm, not the Nicolaitan aberration too many of our Assemblies sadly seem to seek to emulate.
Well written. Clear evidence that you paid the price to be able to know these things available exclusively from the One Who is above All.

Reply to above - 12/2/2016
How are you John? Would love to connect. Send contact info. Thanks George