What the Church Needs

by Dale, posted in Church, D & D Ministries, Pastoring

Pastor, what does your church need?

Ask any local church pastor, and you will hear, “Our church needs ____________________.” There are many words that could fill that blank, and every pastor really believes he knows what it is from revival, another building, two AM services, another staff member, etc.

After 40 years of being a senior pastor and now in an associate role, I have come to this conclusion . . . I don’t know what our church needs nor do I know what your church needs. Only my omniscient Heavenly Father and the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ knows what Boones Creek Bible Church needs. My limited, short-sighted, not able to discern the hearts of the people knowledge is totally incapable of discerning what any church needs.

Therefore, since that is the case, I must . . .

  • Be personally, daily growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ because I don’t know what my own heart and life needs. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
  • Be abiding in the Vine since I can do nothing without Him; Christ living His life out of me (John 15:1-11; Galatians 2:20)
  • Be a man of prayer coming to know the heart of Christ for His Church. Study the praying of Nehemiah, Christ, and Paul. (1 Timothy 2:8)
  • Expositionally preach the Word, book-by-book, verse-by-verse, since the Word will address every need of the Body and edified believer in the Body better than I can. The Word transforms lives. (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:2)
  • Stay away from beating the sheep from pulpit because they won’t do what I think they should. (2 Timothy 2:24; 1 Peter 5:3)
  • Be faithful, not comparing myself to other pastors or my church with other churches. (2 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 1:10; 6:4; Philippians 2:3)
  • Be joyful in the Lord Who is building His Church, not mine. (Philippians 4:4-8)
  • Love the sheep God has given me to under-shepherd believing the Spirit of God will grow them in Christ. (Acts 20:28)
  • Be obedient to the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20)
  • Do all things for the glory of God always looking forward to the Bema. (1 Corinthians 3:5-15; 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10)

Christ has uniquely placed you where you are, pastor friend. Connect with Him in His ministry to His sheep and make much of Him. He knows what His Church needs and how to fulfill His will in every congregation.

Enjoy the journey! Christ is the Builder. You are His laborer and friend.

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