In the beginning. The mission is clear. The community is intimate. The leadership is humbled. But there is something about success that becomes a monster in its own way.
Episode notes:
Being a part of a church plant is a unique experience I wish anyone with a negative church experience could be a part of.
Church growth is a good thing but brings its own challenges and struggles that can cause people, specifically leaders, to lose sight of what is most important.
To those hurt by the church, I encourage you to see the beauty in the beginning.
To those in leadership, never forget the mission and vision of the church. It’s not growth or numbers or promotion or position, it’s humble servitude to the community. As Christ did.
Acts 1:4-11 - On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (NIV)
Acts 2:1-3 - When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (NIV)
"The Divine Servant" sculpture - https://thecomingkingfoundation.org/divine-servant-htm/
Music - Never Thought It Was Real by Kicktracks
