Every church pastor and leader needs to frequently ask and answer three big questions of their churches. The big three are no strangers, for you might even have preached on one or more of them recently. These questions rise up from the pages of Scripture like giant pillars of polished granite truth for the church and all followers of Jesus. They are applications of Matthew 22:34-40 and Matthew 28:18-20. Let me share the questions with you so you can apply your answers.
1.Do your church and its members love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind?
(Matt. 22:37-38) And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment."
First, give your honest answer and rate it in your church on a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
Second, ask yourself, "How can we (yourself first, then your church in general) begin the process of raising your evaluation by at least one letter grade over the next three months? Be simple and realistic, and determine who needs to work with you on improving your letter grade.
Third, ask others to join you in praying for your strategy to improve your grade.
2.Do your church and its members love your neighbors as yourself?
(Matt. 22:39-40) "And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
First, give your honest answer and rate it in your church on a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
Second, ask yourself, "How can we (yourself first, then your church in general) begin the process of raising your evaluation by at least one letter grade over the next three months? Be simple and realistic, and determine who needs to work with you on improving your letter grade.
Third, ask others to join you in praying for your strategy to improve your grade.
3.Do your church and its members go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus has commanded.
(Matt. 28:18-20) And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
First, give your honest answer and rate it in your church on a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
Second, ask yourself, "How can we (yourself first, then your church in general) begin the process of raising your evaluation by at least one letter grade over the next three months? Be simple and realistic, and determine who needs to work with you on improving your letter grade.
Third, ask others to join you in praying for your strategy to improve your grade.
Finally, let the following words remind you of God's work in your life and ministry:
(Eph. 2:10) For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
[Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash]