HEALTHY CHURCH: Remember, Remain, Resolve
“If you are walking daily with the Lord, you will not have to find God’s will — you will already be in it.” This statement by Henry and Richard Blackaby in Experiencing God Day by Day emphasizes the importance of building an abiding relationship more than having a “God Map” to follow. Following a plan seems easier than continually cultivating intimacy with Him. The Blackabys continued, “Too often, we would prefer a road map of our future rather than a relationship with the Way.” Let’s unpack some practical steps to follow Him, lead others and have disciples, leaders and churches that are reproducing and multiplying.
Scripture instructs us to remember certain things. Jesus told the church in Ephesus to remember from where they had fallen. Jesus instructed His disciples in John 15 to remain (abide) in Him. The Blackabys challenged us, "We assume we are saved for a task to perform rather than a relationship to enjoy.” Resolve is the tenacity required to persevere in walking with Him. You must be resolved to carry out God’s vision. In Rings of Fire, Leonard Sweet stated, “A faith that finds God in the past boasts roots. But a faith that finds God in the future bears fruit.” Leaders can see God’s vision before it happens.
Distraction comes from fighting fires within the church more than igniting fires for Christ in your community. Pursuing unity for the vision and the direction God is leading you in can be quite challenging. Is everyone on board with your vision, and if not, how will you get them there? Have you communicated the vision well, and are you working diligently to build a willing coalition? You must create a climate for change, which often begins by focusing on conflict resolution. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
When Nehemiah heard Jerusalem's depressing state of affairs, he remembered how it had been and began to cast a vision for how it could change. This leader wept, mourned and fasted for God’s intervention. Nehemiah was motivated to lead when his heart was stirred by the news he heard. Here was a man who seemingly served in obscurity, but he was ready when the time came for him to step forward and lead. Are you ready to lead? Do not succumb to the mistaken notion that because you are busy for God, you are ready. Christian activity is not equal to spiritual maturity.
Busyness does not guarantee a close personal walk with God. Nehemiah showed his spiritual maturity by being motivated and determined to obey God’s vision to rebuild the walls. When the king asked him what was wrong, Nehemiah replied, “… why should not my countenance be sad…” (Neh. 2:3) Jerusalem was lying in waste. Nehemiah had a compelling burden that led him to a vision to change Jerusalem’s present reality. If God is troubling you about your present situation, it most likely means He is calling you to do something about it. Nehemiah’s reaction was a call to action — “… Let us rise up and build…” (Neh. 2:18).
Do not miss this — when the Holy Spirit is stirring you up and working inside of you, He is preparing you. Ronnie Floyd said this: "Before something happens publicly, usually God readies His leader privately.” The importance of the Macedonian call in Paul’s life was so he would not question in the dark what God had shown Him in the light. This assurance gave Paul the awareness of a constant companion and compass in fulfilling God’s calling on his life. Do not underestimate the importance of this season, when God is working on you so He might work through you. Learn how to identify God’s still, small voice.
Prayerfully allow God to develop His plan and then have the courage to implement His plan. There is a biblical process here to follow that starts with God’s mandate — the Great Commission. This is the “what” of all you do. As an individual and a congregation, you either obey or disobey His command to make disciples. Then focus on the “why,” which are your values. II Corinthians 5:11 states, “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men....” Having settled the what and the why, then and only then, do you move to the “how.” As you remain in Him, He gives you His road map to carry out His plan.
Have you become distracted from His mission for your church? Have you allowed the walls to lie desolate far too long? Do you remember a time when your passion for the lost burned within you and you focused on lighting fires for the gospel? Are you resolved by remaining in Him to rebuild what was once so prominent in your life and ministry? All the statistics tell us there are more unchurched than ever before. Yes, that should burden us and lead us to weeping, mourning and fasting, but it should also compel you to the task God is calling you to. You are called to seek the lost to share His glorious gospel with them.
Twenty years ago, Thom Rainer said, “America is clearly becoming less Christian, less evangelized and less churched. Yet too many of those in our churches seem oblivious to this reality.” Is the situation not even more urgent today? The time is now to remember His mandate and obey His word. The time is now to remain in a right relationship with Him and one another. The time is now to resolve to recommit with courage and tenacity to His commission and calling on our lives and our congregations. Ask God to not only help you see the brokenness but also to help you begin reaching them.
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Larry Barker
Director of Church Planting and Church Health Larry Barker submits a weekly column titled, Healthy Church Solutions, designed to strengthen and encourage the local church.
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