It’s always struck me as funny how some people speak with such authority. Have you ever noticed how some are experts about everything they discuss. These are the people we roll our eyes at (on the inside) the moment they begin their mantra.
I’ve realized in the last few years that I have far more questions than I have answers. So, I seek. That’s right - I am a seeker. This is not a label placed on me by others who would discredit or applaud (depending on which side of the “seeker” debate you’re on), rather it’s what Jesus says we’re to be. We’re told to seek first his kingdom, we’re told to pursue Christ - seek him and we will find him. Wow… God actually says that we are to seek him.
As the week winds down, my thoughts are on Sunday. In reality, I think about next Sunday every single day. Even on Sunday, the moment the message is over I’m thinking about next Sunday. There is a supernatural opportunity that you and I have each Sunday. Invest and Invite. Invest in relationships and invite people to come with us to C3. Did you know that studies have shown many people are simply waiting on an invitation to go to church?
I have this routine each Sunday. At the close of the service I will make my way to the room where the “cards” are held. This is not just a registry of names - this is a record of what God did that day - and it’s only a glimpse. Each one represents a life - seeking Christ. Some to meet him and others to know him deeper.
The last few years have been revolutionary for me and it’s awesome now. As I think through where we’ve come from, I realize:
I’ve been talked about, but, by those, rarely talked to.
I’ve been disappointed, but now I experience fulfillment.
I’ve experienced deep pain, yet I’ve never felt more alive.
I’ve been betrayed by “friends”, so I could discover who real friends are.
I was frustrated, now I am free.
My focus used to be to do “church” good, now it is to do life with Christ.
I used to try to make people make a decision for God, now I realize I can’t make people do anything, all I can do is make sure we create environments where God can move.
I used to think I could convince people, now I know unless the Holy Spirit convinces someone it will not last (the problem here is never the Holy Spirits lack of ability, but our lack of listening to him - those who listen hear).
I used to need approval, now I just need to know it’s from God.
“People” don’t mater as much now, because people matter more now.
I’ve been stretched this year like no other. I’ve learned the reality of a leadership lesson I heard years ago. In church life you always lose people - you just can’t make everybody happy and you can’t keep everybody. The great thing about leadership is you get to choose who you lose. You can give in to every opinion and threat and keep the complainers and control freaks - people deeply concerned about how they think church ought to be done for them. Or, you can pursue God’s vision and keep the stallions who want to do something for Christ (those who are courageous enough and strong enough to understand vision and leadership and purpose).
You choose who you lose. We’ve chosen. We’ve decided at C3 to keep the stallions. There are leadership decisions we make that we know will cause some people to leave. And, guess what - we do this intentionally. I’m not interested in a church with a bunch of jackasses - the church I pastored before C3 had plenty. I’m excited to lead a church of stallions. Yes, some are young - but they are learning that life is not about me. Don’t get me wrong, jackasses have their place (don’t freak out, the word is in the Bible - it’s an animal and when I use the word, you know exactly the kind of person I’m describing). Their place is in places where they can stubbornly stand still, refusing to move, and being proud of weighing enough not to be moved (led). The interesting thing about jackasses, they are so self consumed they don’t notice how much plowing still needs to be done, and they also think they’re the only ones capable of plowing. Then came the tractor…
Stallions are busy racing - chasing Christ, following the track he’s laid out, running in the lane he’s placed them in. They are building muscles of discipline, growing in selflessness. They are focused on the prize.
Yes, we used to have some jackasses (even a few on our leadership team) - they’re gone now and we’re running with the stallions. God still loves and created jackasses, we just don’t have to plow with them anymore. And only God can make a jackass want to be a stallion - he’s been doing that in me. Invest and Invite - swiftly.
