Today I am spending the day at Catalyst Conference’s Labs. Today’s 1st pre-lab was taught by Perry Noble, Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC.
4 Things I believe God is saying to Church Leaders
Joshua 1
Two things that helped set up this talk.
1 – Driving home from the church – I got home in about 7 minutes and realized that I did not even remember driving home. I have driven that route so much, that I didn’t pay attention.
That is easy to do in leadership. If we are not careful, we will put Sundays in cruise control.
2 – The second experience was going to the eye doctor and the doctor says, “Uh oh.” It was time to go to bifocals.
The older we get, the vision seeps out of us. We need to keep going back to God’s Word to see what God has to say for us.
4 Phrases that Stick Out from Joshua 1
1. Let’s Go.
Joshua followed Moses who led a big relocation project (Egypt to Promised Land). Here is how Joshua 1 starts out:
“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, ‘Moses My servant is dead…'”
This is the first thing God tells Joshua. Not, “You can do it!” But “Moses My servant is dead.” Why? God knew about Joshua and us that if he didn’t tell him that, Joshua would have formed a committee to try to find the body of Moses. We like to study what used to work instead of stepping into the new things that are working.
Where God is taking us to is always greater than where he is taking us from.
Here are some areas we need to let go of:
Programs. Are there any programs in your church that do not work. The way you know its not working when you have to manufacture energy around something.
Personnel. Is there anybody in your church that has a job that isn’t getting the job done? Do you have teachers that can’t teach? Singers that can’t sing?
Preferences. Churches are enslaved to the personal preferences of out of touch leaders. Andy Stanley says you can either fight or fund the next generation.
2. Get Ready
I am emotional. Some people wonder why I raise my hands at church. I tell them you raise your hands at a game. I worship a bigger God than you do. You worship an 18 year old wearing a costume (football player). It is ok to be emotional and excited about your ministry. If we are not excited about it, something is broken.
God really does want greater things for your church.
Joshua 1 continues… “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.
3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.
4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.”
God gave Joshua a big vision. We need to have a big vision and not apologize for it. Apple has a big vision. Disney has a big vision. They have a mouse, we have the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said that we are to go reach the world. Right now that is over 7 billion people. Our job is not to make Sister Sally happy. She is saved and not happy about it. Our job is to reach the world!
3. I’m Here
There are some messages in the scripture that we miss. One of these messages is God saying, “I am with you!”
5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”
Sometimes people don’t step into what God has for them because we don’t lead them into it.
How do you know God is with you?
There is an increased desperation for His Word. When making decisions, etc., listen to the Word.
Increased love for people. Ministry is messy. There are jacked-up people coming to your church. If we have churches full of pretty people, God is not doing a work.
Increased love for the vision. I’m in. I’m in neck deep. If you have a resume on your control, use it or destroy it. If you are looking for something else, I want to release.
4. Let’s Do This
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.’ ”
Joshua was crazy enough to take God at his word. That is a dangerous leader.
The steps of faith never get smaller, they only get bigger.
If God led you to it, he will walk you thru it.
You do what God has called you to do.