Changing Church (Part 2)

I ended the last post stating that any change in your church must begin with you. What does that really mean?

The point is that your church won’t grow, won’t mature, won’t reach more people with the Good News of Christ, unless you personally get involved. 

You are an important member of the body; just like a human body doesn’t function as well if it’s missing a leg (or an arm, or an eye), the body of Christ (the church) doesn’t function well if one of its members is missing or not operating at 100% capacity.

Maybe you’re thinking: “Great, but I’m not sure where I can fit in and contribute in church.”

Well, don’t worry—that’s not for you to decide. God already decided. God has a purpose for you. In fact, He created you for a purpose (see Eph 2:10).  What you have to do is figure out what God’s purpose is for you.

Easier said than done, right?  I’ll be honest: yes, sometimes it’s a bit difficult, since He doesn’t normally come to you in blinding white light and tell you exactly what He wants you to do (although that did happen to Paul!).  But there are ways to find out His purpose for you.

First, read the Bible. But don't read it like you’d read a novel.  Read it as if you expect God to reveal His plans for you right there in Scripture.  Maybe not as specific as “Tim, start a small group Bible study on Friday nights.”  But see how His Word speaks to you through principles and in circumstances.

Next, pray.  Pray for God to reveal His plan for you.  Ask Him to reveal specifically what He wants you to do.  Be sure to listen as you pray; He may give you a sense (sometimes a very vivid sense) of what He wants, but you have to be listening to get it.

Third, look at the circumstances surrounding your life.  Have you had life experiences that can uniquely contribute to God’s Kingdom?  Take a look at what God is doing around you in your life; maybe He’s already leading and you just need to join Him in His work.

Finally, speak with other Christians.  Ask them to pray that God will reveal His will for your life.  Ask them if God has perhaps given them an indication of what you should do.

Be sure to do all four of these activities together.  For example, if you believe God is revealing through His Word what He wants you to do, then pray about it, ask others to pray and help you discern if that’s what they believe is God’s will for you, and take stock of the situation.

When it’s clear what God’s will is for you, get started as soon as God wants you to start.  Step out in faith and depend on Him.  Expect difficulties, because Satan will oppose anyone doing Kingdom work.  But also remember, if it’s His will, then you will be His instrument to do His work--and God doesn't fail!