9.11.2008

More Than Planning...

In my short, couple week tenure as Family Pastor at The Connection Church I've tried to hit the ground running. I've spent a lot of time looking toward the future for the various ministries which I now have the privilege to lead. I'm pumped to be a part of the TCC team because the team is willing to do whatever it takes to reach people with the life-altering love of Jesus.

Thursday evening I spent some time thinking about all I've done to anticipate and dream of growth. I want to see our age-based ministries grow to the most excellent level possible. In the midst of that, I've done a lot of planning. I've done tons of preparing. We've even done some practicing for some ministry events. But the one thing that will make our ministries, our church, and, ultimately, the kingdom of God grow is not simply planning, prepping, and practicing. It's prayer. I'm all about working hard to reach people. I believe far too few churches and leaders do it. There are way too many lazy people in the church. But all the hard work in the world can't grow anything without spending time with God praying for growth and life-change. I've been reminded today of this passage in the Bible that Paul wrote to the church at Corinth:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)

I don't know about you, but at times I need to be reminded that all the planning, prepping, and practice is useless unless I've spent some time praying to the God of growth.

1 comment:

Pam said...

Just getting caught up on my reading and wanted to let you know that this post hit home. Good stuff, very good, as always.