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How to Unleash the Creative Potential of Your Church

Napoleon once pointed to a map of China and said, "There lies a sleeping giant. If it ever wakes up, it will be unstoppable." Today the American church is a sleeping giant. Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except "keeping" it. The designation "active" member in most churches simply means those who attend regularly and financially support the church. Not much more is expected. But God has far greater expectations for every Christian. He expects every Christian to use their gifts and talents in ministry. If we can ever awaken and unleash the massive talent, resources, creativity and energy found in the typical local church, Christianity will explode with growth at an unprecedented rate. I believe that the greatest need in evangelical churches is the release of members for ministry. One of the key challenges facing a pastor is positioning his church as a creative place that needs the expression of all sorts of talents and abilities, not just singers, ushers and Sunday school teachers. And one of the reasons enthusiasm is so low in many churches is that creativity is discouraged. Great ideas are shot down with "We've tried that before." I'm very hesitant to tell people a ministry idea won't work. I like to be surprised. When somebody comes to me with a ministry idea, I try to always make my initial response, "Why not?" I may have seen the idea bomb three times before but I'm not going to be a dream-buster. This person may be just the right person to pull it off. Sometimes a person will have a great idea for ministry but personally doesn't have the leadership skills to pull it off. In that case, it's important to pray that God will raise up a leader who can take the ball and run with it. But if you spend all your time telling people what won't work, they'll eventually stop trying altogether. The key to unleashing the talent, resources, creativity and energy of your people is to delegate authority with responsibility. People respond to responsibility. They thrive and grow when you trust them. When you give authority with responsibility, you'll be amazed at the creativity of your people. On the other hand, if you treat people like incompetent babies, you'll have to diaper and feed them the rest of your life. People are always only as creative as the structure allows them to be. People want to make contribution with their lives. They want their lives to count. They want to feel that they matter. When you can show people that they can make a difference with their gifts and talents by joining your church, they will want to be involved. If you give members responsibility, they will respond to it. To bring out the best in people, you must give them a challenge and -- when they succeed -- give them the credit. You also have to give them the freedom to make mistakes. That means you have to quit hogging all the mistakes for yourself and let others make some of them! How did you become so experienced? You learned by making mistakes. To bring out the best in people, it also is extremely important to give them control. Every church must eventually decide whether it is going to be structured for control or structured for growth.  For a church to grow, both the pastor and the people must give up control. The people must give up control of the leadership, and the pastor must give up control of the ministry. Otherwise, you create a bottleneck for growth. This is especially true once a church grows beyond about 500 people, because then no single person or board can know everything that's going on in the church. I haven't known about everything that happens at Saddleback for years. I don't have to know about it all! You might ask, "Then how do you control it?" The answer is: I don't! It's not my job to control the church. It's my job to lead it. There is a very big difference between leading and controlling. Our pastors and staff are responsible to keep the church doctrinally sound and headed in the right direction, but most of the day-to-day decisions are made by the people actually doing the ministries of the church. Every lay ministry is assigned a staff liaison but, as much as possible, our staff stays out of the decision-making process in each ministry. When Saddleback was just a few years old  I found myself running out of energy. The church had grown to several hundred people and I was still trying to do most of the ministry myself. I literally helped with every job in the church. I stored all our equipment -- cribs, chairs, etc. --  in my garage. Every Sunday morning I would borrow a truck to haul that equipment to the school we were renting. I printed the bulletin. I swept the school auditorium. I stocked the bathrooms with toilet paper. I set up the sound system. I cleaned up after everyone else had left. I did all of the counseling, baptizing, weddings, funerals and most of the hospital visits. I was burning out physically and emotionally. At a midweek service, I confessed to our congregation that I was out of energy and that I couldn't continue trying to meet all their needs myself.  But I went on to say that God didn't expect me to do all the ministry.  The Bible is very clear that the pastor's job is to equip members for their ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). So I said, "I'll make you a deal. If you agree to do the ministry of this church, I'll make sure you're well fed!" The people liked the deal and that night we signed a covenant that, from that day forward, they would do the ministry and I would feed and lead them. When we made this decision, Saddleback exploded with growth. If you want your church to be a place where all sorts of talents and abilities are expressed in a creative way that draws multitudes to Christ, you have to give up control and trust people with ministry. So many pastors are so afraid of wildfire that they spend all their time putting out every little camp fire that'll warm up the church!

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Your Shepherd Will Sustain You

Your Shepherd Will Sustain You

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”  Romans 8:32 (NLT)Pastor, as you begin this new week of ministry, it’s easy to feel the weight of unmet needs pressing in on you. Whether it’s the pressure to prepare a meaningful sermon, carry others’ burdens, or lead with clarity in uncertain times—stress has a way of creeping in.Often, stress flows from one root cause: worry. We wonder whether we’ll have what we need—wisdom, strength, time, resources—when we need it. But here’s the truth: If you’re looking to your church, your paycheck, or even your own strength to meet all your needs, you’ll be disappointed. No person or position can shoulder that. Only God can.Some pastors find security in ministry success. But what happens when attendance drops? When criticism comes? When momentum slows? Others look to their families, finances, or future plans. But those can shift in a moment.Instead, root your security in what can never be taken from you—your relationship with Christ. Romans 8:32 reminds us: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?” (NLT).Yes, pastor. He will.This week, when worry takes over, stop and declare: “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Psalm 23:1 NLT). You are not alone. The One who called you is also the One who will sustain you. He will give you what you need—when you need it.So take a deep breath. God’s got you. You can trust him with every part of your week.
What to Do When Someone Is Dying

What to Do When Someone Is Dying

Pastor, at some point this year, you’ll likely be called upon to minister to someone who is dying. Nothing prepares you for that moment like experience—and nothing tests your heart like sitting beside someone facing death.Even with all your training and Bible knowledge, walking into a room where someone is dying can shake you to your core. What do you say? How do you bring comfort? You can’t promise healing—that’s in God’s hands. But you can bring comfort.Here’s how to offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. to someone who is dying.C: Confront Your Own FearsBefore you can help someone else, you must deal with your own fear of death. Fear of death is natural; many people avoid funerals because they’re afraid of facing death.But as a pastor, you can’t afford to hide from that fear. Instead, you need to admit it. Acknowledge it. And then trust God to help you overcome it. You’re not going to mess anything up by showing up. You’re not going to say the wrong thing. Just be present. Trust that God will use you.O: Offer Your Physical PresenceThe most powerful ministry you can provide is your presence.You don’t have to say much. You might not say anything at all. Just being there—sitting in the room, holding a hand, offering a quiet word of prayer—can be more comforting than any sermon. People should not have to face death alone.M: Minister with Practical AssistanceAsk, “How can I help?”Dying people are often in pain or discomfort. Your willingness to do simple, practical things—adjusting a pillow, turning on a fan, bringing water or ice chips—communicates love. No task is too small. These small acts of service reflect the love of Christ.F: Fortify Them with Emotional SupportPeople who are dying carry heavy emotional burdens. You can help lighten that load.One of the best ways to do this is through prayer. But don’t just say you’re praying—pray aloud with them. Reflect their emotions in your prayers. If they say they’re frustrated, pray, “Lord, Susie is feeling frustrated right now.” If they say they’re scared, pray, “God, Bob is feeling anxious and afraid.” That’s intercession—standing in the gap for someone who doesn’t have the strength to pray.O: Open Them Up with QuestionsDying people often carry a swirl of unspoken emotions—fear, regret, guilt, sadness. Open-ended questions help draw those feelings out.If they ask, “Am I going to die?” don’t pretend you know the answer. Instead, reframe the question: “What does dying mean to you?” That kind of question opens the door for meaningful conversation.And if they don’t want to talk about death? That’s okay. Follow their lead. The goal is not to force a conversation but to create space if they want to share.R: Remember the Family Has Needs TooMinistry doesn’t end with the dying—it extends to the family.Ask the hard questions that family members might feel awkward bringing up, like: “Have you made any final arrangements?” “Is there anything you’d like to say to your loved ones?” Your presence can bring clarity and peace to those standing by.Friends care for friends—and for their families too.T: Turn Them to JesusThe most important ministry you can offer is spiritual.If the person hasn’t yet trusted Christ, lovingly share the Good News. Let them know that Jesus loves them, died for them, and offers eternal life. Invite them to pray with you. This may be the most important moment of their life—and of your ministry.You don’t need all the right words. You just need to bring the presence of Christ into the room. Walk in with compassion. Offer C.O.M.F.O.R.T. And trust that God will use you to bring peace in someone’s final days.
Why Your Health Matters to Your Ministry

Why Your Health Matters to Your Ministry

Your body is a tool for ministry. God wants to use you to fulfill his purposes in the world—but he won’t do it without your cooperation. That means you must take care of your body.The Bible says: "Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT).If you want God to use you more effectively in the year ahead, it starts with your health.1. Recognize that your body matters to GodThe Living Bible paraphrase says, "You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws” (Psalm 119:73) God created your body and established principles of good health. You need a balance of sleeping, eating, and exercising to serve effectively.Chances are you need to work on at least one of these areas:Sleep: Some of you are tired all the time—not because you’re overworked in ministry, but because you stay up late doing things that don’t matter. A single extra hour of sleep each night could significantly increase your energy for ministry. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night . . . for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2 NLT).Eating: Let’s be honest—God made food taste great. But self-control is necessary. What you eat—and what you avoid—impacts your health and your ministry.Exercise: Every January, people launch into exercise plans. But by February, those plans are often forgotten. Don’t let that happen. Put your plan on the calendar. Make it a commitment, not a whim.2. Develop a healthy attitude toward your bodyYou can choose the wrong attitude. You can choose to neglect it, reject it, or try to perfect it (worship your body). None of those honor God.The right attitude is to respect and protect your body. Why?Because God made it, Jesus died for it, and the Holy Spirit lives in it.3. Discipline yourself for an eternal rewardPaul writes, “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize” (1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT).You’re not getting in shape just to look good—you’re doing it to fulfill your life mission and serve God with strength.So, pastor, make this the time to get in shape—for the glory of God and the good of others. Watch how God uses you more effectively in ministry when you take care of the body he gave you.
Five Ways to Worship When You’re Wounded

Five Ways to Worship When You’re Wounded

Everyone gets wounded. Even pastors.Sometimes it’s physical. Other times, it’s emotional, spiritual, or relational. And if you’re not experiencing a wound right now, one is probably on the horizon.So how do you respond when life hurts? You worship.That may seem counterintuitive. But worship is the only antidote to pain that brings both healing and hope.Job is one of the best examples in the Bible of how to worship when you’re hurting. In a single day, he lost everything—his wealth, his health, and even his children. The book of Job tells the story of a man deeply wounded but ultimately unshaken in his devotion to God.Here are five ways to worship when you’re wounded:1. Grieve: Tell God how you feel.Worship doesn’t always start with a smile; it often begins with tears.Job didn’t hold back: “Job stood up, tore his robe in grief, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 GW).In the ancient Middle East, people expressed grief by tearing their clothes. God isn’t afraid of your raw emotions. In fact, he welcomes them. When you pour out your hurt, you’re not being unspiritual—you’re worshiping.Don’t bottle up your pain. God didn’t design your body to store negative emotions. Let them out. Confess them to God. He can handle your honesty.2. Praise God—not for your problems, but in the midst of them.Job’s story boils down to one question: Will I worship God when everything goes wrong?It’s easy to praise God when life is good. But what about when it’s not? That’s the real test of faith.Life is rarely all good or all bad. It’s more like two parallel tracks—one of joy and one of sorrow—running side by side. Even in our darkest moments, there’s still something to thank God for. Job chose to praise God in the middle of his suffering. You can, too.3. Ask God for wisdom and strength.Pain makes it hard to think clearly. Wounds distort our perspective. That’s why we need God’s help to see straight and stay strong.The Message paraphrase says, “True wisdom and real power belong to God; from him we learn how to live, and also what to live for” (Job 12:13).Wisdom gives you direction. Strength gives you endurance. Both come from God. The BIble promises, “The LORD saves good people; he is their strength in times of trouble” (Psalm 37:39 NCV).God may not remove your pain, but he will supply what you need to keep going.4. Gather with others for support.God didn’t create you to worship alone—especially when you’re hurting.The natural tendency when we’re wounded is to withdraw. We isolate. We put up walls. We hide. That might feel safer, but it only prolongs the pain.If you never learn how to share your pain, you’ll never heal.That’s why pastors need small groups, too. You need people in your corner who will walk with you through the valleys, not just celebrate with you on the mountaintops.Don’t wait until the crisis to build those relationships. Find a group where you can be real, be known, and be supported.5. Keep going.Perseverance is a form of worship.Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. But Job refused. Instead, he said, “Though he [God] slay me, yet will I trust him” (Job 13:15 KJV).That’s radical faith. That’s worship in its truest form.What gave Job that kind of confidence? He knew his Redeemer lived: “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth” (Job 19:25 NIV).Whatever you’re going through, it won’t last forever. Eternity is coming. Your Redeemer is alive. And one day, he will make all things new.Pastor, don’t let your pain rob you of worship. Don’t let it derail your ministry.
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