Leading the Horse to Water

I think that's sometimes the best way to sum up my calling as a minister: I'm in the business of leading the horse to the water and praying that it will drink.

Now, I'm not calling anybody in my church a horse (though there are a couple I'm not certain about), but this is basically what I do. I've been in my current appointment for a little over 10 months, for those keeping score at home. God really began imparting a vision to me for Mt. Bethel once I knew I was coming here and solidified that for me around the middle of October last year. I have written down what I believe the future of this church to be, at least in God's design.

In the last week, I've had several conversations with people about the future of this church and where we are headed. I've talked to members about the effectiveness of the ministries of Mt. Bethel and some people have come to me to talk about my effectiveness. Granted, I recognize that there will always be someone telling me, as a pastor, that I'm not being effective because I'm not doing or being what they expect, for better or worse.

I have noticed that I'm not seeing the fruits I was hoping to be seeing by this point. I've preached, and visited, and supported old things while trying new things. I'm finding myself fatigued by the fact that after 10 months I'm finding very few people on board or excited about anything. I'm learning some things though...

I may be missing the mark on a few things. I may not be putting the right pieces together for some people. But I'm beginning to recognize that the problem may be systemic. I don't believe it's only Mt. Bethel either.

What do you think happens in a church lacking accountability and the freedom to share what God may be saying to an individual? In each church I've served or been a part of, I could identify for you a person or group of persons who "ran things." I can give you the names of the people who would substitute their desires for the vision of the pastor and church leadership and would do what it took to keep things from happening any other way. (I'm trying to say enough without saying too much)

I can tell you stories of times that a person caused non-sensible trouble for the pastor and it was allowed to go on, despite the fact that a simple "shut-up" or solid reproof could have ended the distraction. I've seen too many Christians with good hearts that stood by and allowed others to destroy the will of God in a church because they were unwilling to keep others in check.

I think I'm there. I'm tired of people telling me that they agree with me, but that they won't say that publicly. Are we going to play church or are we going to be the Church?

To all 4 laypeople who read this blog and will read this far down, take these words to heart: You are the best asset your pastor and church leaders have. Your voice is more powerful in many circumstances than ours is and it's certainly more free to say sometimes what needs to be said. You want to support your pastor? Don't send him or her a birthday card or keep them tied up on the phone all the time - be there to back them up, to run interference for the flak they'll catch otherwise, be outspoken in support of them, even in the face of potential persecution. If a pastor has no one to get behind them, then all they can do is lead the horse to the water time and time again, hoping that it will take that first sip and realize just how fulfilling and refreshing it is, until it returns time and time again to get it's own drink.