(Opened with the "MeChurch" video - available from SermonSpice.com)
Everyone has their own idea of what church should look like. What church should be like. How church should minister to their needs and the needs of those around them.
So from time to time it is important to ask, what is the purpose of the church? Or to be more specific and personal, what is the purpose of our church? Why does SWC exist?
Fortunately, through prayer and reflection, God birthed within us a clear purpose: “Connecting People to God and Each Other By Living and Declaring God’s Word.”
Hopefully you have fixed that purpose statement in your mind over the past year, but just in case you haven’t, we will put it up for all to read. Let’s declare this purpose statement together. We are about. . .
“Connecting People to God and Each Other By Living and Declaring God’s Word.”
That is the purpose of our church. Now, for me that begs the question, what is my purpose as pastor? If that is the purpose for this body, what is my purpose as the leader of this body? What am I to be about so that I am proactive in moving us towards that place of fulfilling our purpose?
You see, if a pastor does not know his purpose, he can find himself in a very frustrating... even depressing state of existence.
One Sunday morning, a mother went in to wake her son and tell him it was time to get ready for church, to which he replied, "I’m not going."
"Why not?" she asked.
"I’ll give you two good reasons," he said. "One, they don’t like me, and two, I don’t like them."
His mother replied, "I’ll give you two good reasons why you should go to church.
One, you’re 54 years old, and two, you’re the pastor!"
That’s what can become of us, of me, if we don’t know why God has us where He has us.
I want you to think for a moment. What do you believe is the purpose of a pastor? In fact, if you were given the chance to tell a pastor, “This is what you should be about... this is what you should be doing with your time.” What would you tell him, what would you tell me that activity would be?
Take a moment, and there on your teaching outline, list out the most important thing that you believe your pastor can do with his time. Maybe even the top two or three things that come to your mind. What do you see as the ultimate purpose and activity of a pastor? (Give a few moments to answer)
Now, let’s brainstorm together. Let’s see what you listed out as the most important thing your pastor should be about (write on white board input from congregation).
We could probably spend the next hour finding out that different people have different views and opinions on what is most important for a pastor to be about. Different people have different “job descriptions” for their pastor, and even their entire church staff.
One humorous piece I read this week listed out the following job descriptions –
SENIOR PASTOR:
Leaps tall buildings in a single bound. Is more powerful than a locomotive. Is faster than a speeding bullet. Walks on water. Discusses policy with God.
I’m not sure I have on the right outfit for that job.
EXECUTIVE PASTOR:
Leaps short buildings in a single bound. Is more powerful than a switch engine. Is just as fast as a speeding bullet. Walks on water if the sea is calm. Talks with God.
ASSOCIATE PASTOR:
Leaps short buildings with a running start and favorable winds. Is almost as powerful as a switch engine. Is faster than a speeding BB. Walks on water in an indoor swimming pool. Talks with God if special request is approved.
MINISTER OF MUSIC:
Barely clears a Quonset hut. Loses tug-of-war with a locomotive. Can fire a speeding bullet. Swims well. Is occasionally addressed by God.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR:
Makes high marks on the wall when trying to leap buildings. Is run over by locomotive.
Can sometimes handle a gun without inflicting self-injury. Dog paddles. Talks to animals.
YOUTH PASTOR:
Runs into buildings. Recognizes locomotive two out of three times. Is not issued ammunition. Can’t stay afloat with a life preserver. Talks to walls.
Every 100 Christians might have 100 different opinions on the role, the important activities, and the purpose of a pastor. Some of these opinions even come from good, Biblical paradigms. Prior to my trip to Haiti we looked at different Biblical paradigms of the Kingdom of God together. Well, there are also different Biblical paradigms of the purpose of a pastor:
- Shepherd (the Good Shepherd)
- Leader (Moses, Joshua, King David)
- Teacher (Jesus with the Disciples, Paul with the Church Plants)
Well, over the next few weeks we are going to explore the purpose of our church, and we are going to look at that purpose statement that defines what we are called to, and who we are. Or at the very least desire to be.
But I want to start today by sharing another pastoral paradigm, and one that I believe matches my personal calling, my purpose as your pastor, my role in helping to fulfill that larger purpose as the body of Christ at SWC. It actually comes from the life of Moses as recorded in the book of Exodus.
- Background to the situation with Moses and Jethro
- Exodus 18:17 (read through verse 23)
In this passage we are given six different pieces of instruction that Jethro communicates to Moses. And I think they are six purposeful activities for a leader of the body of Christ. I even think in my particular case, they are outlined in a priority order for my calling and purpose as a pastor.
The first thing Jethro tells Moses to do is to –
“Represent the people before God, and bring their cases to God.”
“Stand before God”
This is the role of. . .
1. INTERCESSION
Hopefully, as we approach our four year anniversary together, you have come to pick-up my emphasis on a life of prayer. I see that as a huge part of my purpose as pastor. And yet, I still find that even I need to change my language in regards to prayer (examples).
In my purpose as pastor, prayer is not a last resort when there is nothing else I can do to help you. Prayer is to be the first option. The top priority. There is nothing better I can do for you than to enter into the throne room of God, and intercede on your behalf. To represent you, your case, your needs before God. That is an incredibly high privilege, an amazing responsibility, and I believe a significant part of my purpose as pastor of this body.
Next, Jethro tells Moses to -
“Warn them about the statues and the laws.”
“Teach them”
It is part of my purpose as pastor to. . .
2. PREPARE KEY TEACHINGS (PREACHING & TEACHING THE WORD)
Directly flowing out of my times of intercession, spent before God, praying for our body, come reflections for preaching and teaching out of God’s Word. And it is something I take very seriously.
- Ordination Service: “Preach the Word.”
Personal Goal – complete message by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
- SermonCentral.com Peak Hours: Saturday between 8 and midnight
Why is that the case? Because other things rob a pastor’s time, and for many pastors, preparing key teaching either loses out to the tyranny of the urgent, or is simply not high on the priority scale. But for me. Balancing my call, and my gifting, and my passions. Reflecting on the purpose that God has called me to. This is a huge piece of my week and my ministry time.
I don’t want our teaching time each week to be like that of a certain minister who on a particular Sunday was considerably longer than normal. However, it was so well prepared and inspiring that he just knew it would be a big hit with the congregation.
At the end of the service he stood shaking hands with parishioners as they exited. One man paused and said, "Pastor, your sermon was so invigorating and inspiring and refreshing."
As the minister broke out in a big smile, the man completed his comment by adding, "Why I felt like a new man when I woke up!"
I hope you are able to stay awake, because I see presenting the teachings of the Word as a huge priority and part of my purpose as your pastor.
What else did Jethro have to say to Moses?
“Make them know the way in which they must walk.”
“Show them the way.”
Part of my calling. Part of my purpose. Part of my direction from God is to. . .
3. CAST A VISION
Proverbs – “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Part of my responsibility as a pastor is to cast a vision for what God wants to do in and through our church.
i.e. Return from Sabbatical with Fresh Vision
- The Training Challenge for the Pastors in Haiti
The fourth thing Jethro told Moses was that he was to make known to the people -
“What they must do.”
“The work they must do.”
It is not enough to cast a vision. It is my responsibility and part of my purpose as pastor to. . .
4. PROVIDE A PLAN OF ACTION
And this is where the work of my role as pastor grows difficult for me. This part comes less naturally to me. I can secure big visions. I can get excited about what something might look like some day as God intersects the ministries of our church, and works miracles. But getting from point A to point B, not only is that challenging for me, but to be quite honest with you, it is often very boring to me.
How many people will we need? What will the budget be? What are the various steps in the time table? I have a hard time staying focused on such things. So much so that I even fell asleep during our mission team’s debriefing meeting. Granted, I was pretty exhausted. But as we talked about logistics, and budget modifications, and all kinds of minutia. . .I fell asleep. I was literally bored to sleep.
I don’t always know how to get from A to B. I just know it is going to be great when we get there! But Jethro said, “Not so fast camper. You can’t just tell them about a promise land. You can’t just tell them about living as the people of God. You have to show them how to do it. You have to give them a plan of action for obtaining the vision.”
So I am thankful that it isn’t priority one or two, but I also recognize it is a part of my purpose as pastor. So I work at it. I work on mapping out plans. Reflecting on steps. Figuring out how to help us get from point A to point B in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Two more. Jethro said –
“Look for able men and place them over the people.”
“Select able men.”
I believe part of my purpose as pastor is to. . .
5. APPOINT LEADERSHIP
Now, this is easier said than done depending on the church’s or denomination’s structures and polities. But since arriving at SWC, I have remained very involved in the process of Local Church Conference nominations. I have provided leadership in identifying spiritual leaders within our body, and selecting people to be appointed to positions of leadership. Some people don’t believe a pastor should be involved in those areas, or have input regarding those issues.
But I do not apologize for being intricately involved in the processes of nomination, election, and selecting of leaders. Because I believe it is part of my responsibility, my appointment, and my purpose as the leader that God has called to this church body.
A pastor can’t do it all by himself, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be involved in the process of building the team of individuals who are going to lead the body of Christ towards fulfillment of the vision. At least, Jethro didn’t think so. Can you imagine what would have happened if a committee would have appointed Jesus’ disciples for him? Do you think any of the 12 would have made the cut? Gotten the most votes?
As you study the word of God you will see God speaking to a key leader, and guiding him to the appointment of leadership. I believe it is part of the purpose of a pastor to appoint leadership. To build a leadership team that can guide a church body towards purpose fulfillment.
Finally, and this isn’t so much another purpose, as it is the end result of abiding by the first five purposes and plans. Jethro said -
“Every great matter they shall bring to you.”
I believe it is critical for a pastor, for me to -
6. RETAIN ENERGY FOR THE TRULY IMPORTANT THINGS
This is one of my greatest weaknesses, but also one of my greatest areas of improvement.
By delegating ministry, a pastor frees himself to fulfill the truly important pieces of his calling, and to retain the energy to address the truly important things that come up in the life of a church body.
I am constantly drawn back to the words of Nehemiah – “I am doing a great thing. I can’t come down.”
I need to keep myself about the great things of intercession, preparing to proclaim the Word of God, casting vision, providing specific guidance towards the fulfillment of that vision, developing a team of leaders that can take upon them the ministry to the tens and maybe even someday hundreds or thousands, and when need be. . .having the energy to address the weighty things, the big things, the important things that a pastor is called to handle for the Kingdom.
So how did we do? (Direct back to the white board) Did we come anywhere close to being on the same page? (Answer based on responses)
Well, I want to fulfill some of these purposes today. We have prayed together, and I have interceded for you this morning, even before you arrived. We have hopefully grown from the teaching of God’s Word. Now I want to do a little vision casting.
So we are going to pray, and then I am going to take a few moments to share with you something we are very excited about coming to SWC in just a few weeks.
(Pray)
Cast Vision of New Celebration Service Format
