“One of the most exciting and encouraging examples of transitioning from being program driven to purpose driven.”Why do churches plateau or decline? Do we care enough about people? Is it a heart issue or is it a lack of vision? The church does love God, care for the people and it’s not so much the heart issue. It’s probably attributed to loss of vision. So, how can the church transition from where they are to where they want to go?
Vision is vital and so are the steps to envisioning people. Vision is both caught and taught. It should therefore be shared in multiple ways. Share vision and heart. “It is very difficult for leaders who do not know what is going on to support it.” Nehemiah shared the vision with his leaders. “Leaders who hear about changes in direction and focus from the pulpit are not likely to support those changes.”
Implement those changes one at a time and it is only God that can give you strategic order for your transition. James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, it will be given to him.” In church, change is like oxygen, essential for life and growth. Handle it wrong, though, and you’ll start a fire you can’t put out. Go slow when implementing changes related to vision.
Dealing with opposition is very interesting and it can be very painful. Anyone who is trying to do something for God will face some opposition. Expect it – expect anger, apathy, ridicule, criticism Nehemiah 4:2 – 3, a fight Nehemiah 4:8, Nehemiah 4:11. The reality is that criticism and opposition will drive you somewhere. Let it drive you closer to God and you will become better. “Anyone who gets down tends to slow down – it is a fact of life.” There is always a price for transition and it’s amazing how many times God raises up new leadership when he wants to do a new thing. Nehemiah 7:1.
Nehemiah’s edge was that he chose to stay amongst his people. It’s so easy to separate ourselves from our people. We look at our title for respect, our clothes, or the car we drive and somehow feel like we are a notch above others. The world is looking for ‘normal’ Christians; Christian leaders who are real. 2 leadership styles are evident:
1. Ex-cathedra leadership meaning ‘from on high’ or
2. Ex-comradre leadership meaning ‘from within’. This is servant leadership and what Jesus modelled.
Vision needs repetition. Cutting edge churches are always in change mode. Let’s pray that God will bring change in us and through us and our churches will be purpose driven, not programme driven.
Compiled by Molly Manhanga
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