Remember the old adage: The only difference between a rut and a grave are the dimensions.
2. Pessimism
A pessimist focuses on what’s wrong and prefers to gripe, complain and blame. A realist chooses to focus on the solution and how, working together, it can be realized.3. Control Freaks
Control freaks are glaringly insecure. The only way they know to relate is to be overbearing, accusatory and self-righteous in an attempt to cover their own insecurity and poor self-esteem. By attempting to control every situation to their specifications, they believe they are able to take the focus off themselves and onto the situation. However, just the opposite often occurs: their true personality becomes even more glaring.
4. Bottom-line Thinking
Remember: budgets should never determine ministry. Rather, mission should drive budgeting.
5. An Unwelcoming Spirit toward Those “Not Like Us”
Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple once said, “The church is the only organization that exists only for its non-members.” A truer word was never spoken.
6. Herd Mentality
“Herders” prefer to be spoon-fed rather than getting messy learning to feed themselves. Remember: “I” think; “you" think. But “we” don’t think.
7. Opting for Comfort Over Risk
Who was it that first said, “The Gospel comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable”?
The Church should encourage uncomfortable risk-taking, whether it means opening ourselves up to new people, trying new types of ministry, and in general putting God's work before our own comfort.
8. Reacting Rather than Responding
Reaction does not take into consideration the results it will bring about, which often worsen the situation and prove to be destructive. It is panic mode. It is short-term thinking.
Responding, on the other hand, takes time to see the bigger picture. It takes time to form a proper answer that will bring about the greater healing and growth. It is calm. It is long-term visioning and thinking.
9. Inability to DreamThe church should be the one place on earth that welcomes dreams and dreamers. Dreams keep us fresh; they force us to think differently; they may even throw us off kilter every once in a while, causing us to move in a new direction.
If we are going to dream, why not dream big? In the Church, no dream is “too big” if it helps us live our mission.
10. Expecting Leaders to “Do” Discipleship for Members
If it is true that “God has no grandchildren” (and it is), the same can be said about discipleship: no one can do another’s walk of faith for them; no one can be a disciple of Jesus for another person.
To follow Jesus and nurture a thriving church, we all have to take responsibility for our attitudes, our actions, and the mission of our congregation.
沒有留言:
張貼留言