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Let us suppose the first rule of leading a congregation is the same: Use the best ingredients. That includes people.
Ingredients:
The message—what message are we feeding our people? Are we feeding cheap grace, prosperity gospel, safe and warm-fuzzy messages that are inoffensive, dispassionate, or uninspiring? I’ve heard colleagues in ministry bemuse that if we truly preached the message—as Jesus would intend—we’d have to wear a helmet and Kevlar. I find this anecdote shocking because it exposes cowardice as preachers and our lack of passion, and our disregard for what we are called to do; namely, speak the truth. Use the best, the freshest, the most honest ingredients in your message. We can’t feed our people cheap, processed, sugary foods. We must nourish them, educate their ‘palates’, and stimulate their senses and their God sense. And you have to be passionate about the message, because if you aren’t, our people won’t be either. Take risks, don’t be afraid, and if you have to, wear a damn helmet.
The context—does the environment support our message? Is it cold and uninviting? Is it warm and welcoming? Is it functional, or friendly, uncluttered and clean? Does it show that the people who gather there care about what happens there?
The worship—do the worship services convey the work of the people? After all, liturgy literally means ‘work of the people’. Is it simple, sincere and dignified? Is it easy to follow? Would a person who had never stepped foot in congregation be able to follow along and not feel left out, lost, or unwelcome? Is it too expensive—too hoity-toity, out of reach and out of touch? Is it too cheap—lazy and messy, and lacking passion?
The formation—do we educate our people’s palates? What programs do we use to teach our children, our teens, adults and seniors about the story of God’s people? Even better, how do we teach our people to follow the way of Jesus? Do we just give pithy messages about justification, grace, law and gospel…or do we actually teach and show people how to really live?
Beyond the doors—the best advertising is word of mouth. Is what we are about so life changing, so incredible, so amazing that people can’t help but share with others? Think about the last time you had a great meal at a new restaurant…did you recommend it to others? When someone asks, ‘Where’s a good place to eat around here,’ don’t you have an answer ready? And what about a bad restaurant experience? If food is nasty and service terrible, word gets around fast. Is what we are serving in our congregations creating buzz?
People—do we use the best people? Do we use the best IN people? Do we demand the best in ourselves and others? I have to admit that as a pastor, I am often gun-shy about confronting mediocrity because I’m afraid to offend or hurt feelings or anger someone. God knows if I piss someone off it will come back to bite me…hard. But I have to remind myself that just because Jesus didn't call the best and brightest and richest and most qualified doesn't mean he didn't expect the best from them. He expected from his disciples total commitment—100%. As leaders of a congregation we do not respect our people or God if we settle for less. If I am afraid to offend, then I can’t be a pastor. At least, not a good one. And if I’m going to live by this first rule, I've got to use the best in myself.
A congregation will be a success only if its message is honest, relevant, passionate, and fearless; proclaimed and lived by people who are just as honest, passionate, and unafraid to follow Jesus. It’s that simple. Use the best ingredients. That includes people. Amen.