Any church that doesn’t change in response to the change in culture, community or context will eventually cease to exist. Any church that wants to stay around and keep its doors open will make constant and subtle changes along the way.
How should that change take place?
1. In response to a new “God vision.” God cares about those perishing in your community far more that you and your church do. So God is all-in for the changes necessary to see as many as possible come to Him. He will give a fresh vision to accomplish that to the heart of a humble and passionate leader.
2. A little at a time. Imagine you are the captain of an aircraft carrier. All of the men on the carrier are standing on the edge at attention. Something happens, and you have to change course. How would you change your course? You’d do it very slightly. You’d do it a little at a time. If you took the wheel and jerked it to the right or the left, every one of your men would fall overboard. They’d be unable to keep their balance.
As a leader, we have to make small, incremental changes. We’re in tune to the “God vision” and are constantly making slight adjustments. The people “on board” feel the lean and make a slight correction. They know something is changing and have to correct for it, but they don't fall overboard. Make constant changes.
As you seek God, move a little to the left or a little to the right. Let people know something is changing, but don’t get to a spot where you have to jerk the wheel … or people will fall overboard.
Artie Davis is the pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Orangeburg, S.C. He heads the Comb Network and the Sticks Conference. He speaks and writes about leadership, ministry, church planting and cultural diversity in the church. You can find his blog at ArtieDavis.com or catch him on Twitter @artiedavis.
For the original article, visit pastors.com.
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