The first big test...

I have needed to make some changes in our church structure and strategies.... And last night some of those changes were rolled out...

A mixed response.

Some are pleased. Others are borderline.

Some are down right angry, threatening to protest, and sign petitions.

Hmmmm!

Here's why it had to be done...

Our church groups a not growing any more, they are stuck in a rut, becoming more exclusive than inclusive...self focussed, insular, and basically not a reflection of what our church aims and goals are. They would argue that of course... but the evidence is always in the fruit...

Jesus said by their fruit you will know them and....we do.

So John 15 pruning has begun.

It's really the first time in our church history that we have made a move to remove something and tweak it, like we are this time.

People can be so fickle.... Love you one moment, and hate you the next.

That's just leadership....sigh.

This has to be done....so that growth may come.

For all those who want to chat...about this, ring me and let's have a coffee.

I will not shy away from the risky decisions, or wimp out because it's a little hard, I came to Craigieburn to plant a healthy and growing living church.

Not to plant it, so it should die.

I choose life over death any day.

Next year, we expect twice as many groups being way more fruitful because of this years pruning.

Big tests come and change character. I don't actually want to hurt people, I want us all, to be more fruitful and healthier.

That teaches me something about Gods heart for us as well.

I pray that today will be a great day.

Comments

  1. Gary Grant4 May 2011 at 12:39

    the definition of a "RUT" is:
    an open ended grave.

    NO WAY, are we living in a rut in our church.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What got us here, will not get us there.

Image
I have been thinking about the this for sometime now. We as TSA have come along way, but yet...there is a long way yet to go, and everything we have done up until now, has given us the results we now have. It's insanity to think, that if we keep doing the things we have already done, that we will get a different result. All that we have done so far, in previous weeks, months and years and even decades have given us the results we are seeing right now. If we think for one moment that things are going to change, by doing the things the same way as we have already done them, then there may be a need for seeing a therapist. do things the same way, get the same result. change the way you do things, get a different result. the problem with this, is ..... that many think everything is honky dory....all "A OK".... and that's where the real bottle neck actually is. Because the truth is, (and many don't want to acknowledge the truth), that we are not winnin
Read more

Salvo style.... God is here.

Image
For me these days, life is super busy. I used to think I was busy before, but now...my goodness. Now, so that it's clear, I am happy being busy with the Kingdom stuff, and would never cope if I was blatantly bored in ministry, I am simply not wired in such a way. Life is good. My ministry is good. My God is good. For those of my readers who think, that maybe, I think I have arrived..... wash your mouths out...there is no way I think that, last week my head was in such a spin, I literally had to walk out the office and go home. I went for a walk to clear my head and got drenched when it started raining, and it was really good for me... I gained perspective and focus and the next day in the office was a little more sober. It's a busy place and much is going on.... it does pose questions for me, which over time I will seek clarity from the senior leaders here....and I guess where needed, I will tweak where and when I can. in the meantime, I am just doing what I feel
Read more

A few things happening lately.

I don't think I have ever had such a difficult time.... I am well aware of issues where I have been disrespected and disregarded and my ministry count for absolutely nothing... 16 years means nothing to some.... Neither does 11 years of planting, oh well...that's leadership. It's lonely, it's hard, and at times extremely hurtful. But I still choose to stay the course, I still choose to go hard, coz I am not going home. Really when it comes down to it, when a person disrespects you, it is highly possible it is their issue not my own. I do believe though you have to earn respect and loyalty and so if I don't have it from all in my circle then maybe I haven't earned it ? Or... Sigh! oh we'll I am sure you get it. It's sometimes very lonely and as I said previously, hurtful. Look at Jesus, he was more than hurt, more than abandoned and more than disrespected. He was killed. Ridiculed. Spat on. Ignored. He was abused. He was left alone. Betra
Read more