I’m reading through this book. I suggest everyone do this at some point. Whether a paid staff member, an active volunteer, someone with lots of responsibility, someone burnt by serving at a church or someone who doesn’t want to step into the door of a church.
Why? Well, like I said, read the book : ) Tony and Tim (authors) give 99 straightforward solutions and bits to lead; in the real world, not in a classroom with hypothesis. They admit the messiness, the areas people struggle, have messed up, and why to keep doing it and how to do it better.
I’m rereading, and just got to “Embrace the Chaos.” You see…
“If you’re in a church that is passionate about its mission and serious about growth, then you will regularly experience chaos. Chaos in a church can sometimes be the result of bad management or a weak leader. Often, though, it is just the result of doing everything right. It can be the result of reaching unredeemed people with the love of Christ…and then helping them grow in their faith.”
I wanted to type more, there are confessions of pastors wishing that people wouldn’t be so hard, chaotic, and carry so much baggage to deal with…but be careful what you wish for, because “you may get what you want. And then you’ll find yourself in a dying church, the sole purpose of which is preservation rather than transformation.” pg 29.
Get the book here and let me know what you think!
I’m glad that I’m a part of a church that is reaching people with the love of Christ and experiences chaos from working with real people. That chaos brings with it lots of energy, laughter, and moments that I wouldn’t trade in.
