Can you Change your Church DNA?

In the last 48 hours I heard another report of a pastor forced to resign his church. As far as I know it was not a moral, ethical or doctrinal issue. Why then was this Bible-believing, Bible preaching pastor forced to resign after just four years?

He tried to change the DNA of a 100 year old, county seat First Baptist Church. Now anybody that knows me knows I am not against change. I believe in the maxim: 'Innovate, reinvigorate or stagnate.' But I also believe you can't change the DNA of your church. We all have DNA that is unique to us....it's how God made us. I love to golf but as hard as I try I'll never be Tiger. He has his DNA and I have mine. Some of the best advice I ever recieved was as a pastor in a rural middle Tennessee church and went to an early 'Purpose-Driven Church' conference. At the end of the conference Rick Warren said, "If you pastor an established church: Don't try this at home!"

It was and still is great advice. Most of us aren't innovators anyway. Be a reinvigorator. Reinvigorate your Sunday School (especially if your church is over 100) instead of focusing on small groups. You need to focus on one or the other but your church DNA ultimately makes the decision.

Some choices we make. Some are made for us. If we break it, we own it.

MGT

Death of a Prayer Warrior

On Friday, October 9, 2009 Winnie Norwood walked through the 'Gates of Splendor.' I first met Winnie Norwood in the summer of 1987 when I became her pastor. She was a school teacher who went back to work when she became a widow. She was a strong supporter and encourager to her young and inexperienced pastor. She was gracious and forgiving.

But the best thing Winnie ever did for me was pray for me everyday for over twenty years. That was spiritual heavy lifting! During the five years I was her pastor she prayed for me every morning at 5:00 a.m. as she started her day with the Lord.

Winnie soon joined my wife and I every Sunday for lunch. It was just Cheryl, Winnie and myself. I cherish those time of fun and fellowship. When God led my family and I to a new ministry challenge she supported our decision and continued to pray for us daily.

Through the years and several other moves to other parts ofthe country she continued to be my Prayer Warrior. We would see her every few years and talked to her on the phone regularly. I want to close this tribute to her the same way I would end our phone conversations:

'Love you Winnie. I thank God for you. Talk to you again soon.'

And so I will.

MGT

Conflict in the Church

I was reminded last week that celebrity worship in the church is not a new thing. Paul had to deal with it in the church at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 Paul writes:

'What I am saying is this: each of you says: 'I'm with Paul,' or I'm with Apollos, or I'm with Cephas, or I'm with Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul's name?'

What do we know about the conflict in Corinth?

It wasn't about doctrine. It rarely is.

Paul, Apollos and Peter didn't encourage them.

The Corinthian Christians did place too much stock in high profile leaders.

Human prestige and power was at the heart of the issue.

Social friction contributed to the conflict (rich/poor; Greek/Jew).

How does Paul handle it" Three simple questions:

Is Christ divided? Of course not! But what Paul reminds them is that Jesus is not one among many. Paul shows the lunacy of elevating one leader (or methodology, or strategy) over another when we have been called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ.

Was Paul crucified for you? No human leader is the source of our salvation. Jesus alone is our source because He alone was crucified for us. Paul affirms that only Christ can atone for sin.

Were you baptized into the name of Paul? Paul knows how absurd this question is. Once again he reminds them and us, that our allegiance can only be to Christ.

In his message at THE NINES conference by Leadership Network Rick Warren challenged us to address the spiritual immaturity of the church. Maturity is essential for unity, mission and purpose. Let's get on with it.