Let's Celebrate!

I’m getting ready for our quarterly church conference meeting and I’ve been praying as to how to communicate our goals coupled with the reality of challenges yet with an understanding of the power of faith. In a small church, it’s easy to find the negatives and many of them are obvious without us looking hard to find them. However, I do recognize that many of our members are truly praying and hoping the best for our church.

During one of our women’s fellowship meetings, a member of our church expressed her discouragement and concern due to the negative comments of family members and friends that, in their opinion, something must be wrong because the church is not growing. A young man came to our church because it was communicated to him that our membership was small with a big building and he wanted to see what was going on and how it was we could afford such a beautiful building with a small congregation. Not to mention all the other negative comments circulating that have a way of finding itself back to me even when I’m not looking for them.

Who said growing a church in any city would be easy? I have friends who pastor in other states with the same struggles, challenges, and concerns. So, the challenge of growing a church is global not local.

As I’ve been spending time with God in prayer, I have (somewhat) become a loner during the process these past couple of weeks wanting to do all I can to hear the voice of God, clearly. I believe, how I communicate our goals right now is vital to the spiritual well-being and vitality of our church. And if not careful, I can communicate what I think is positive and the members feel I’m being negative and/or beating them up for what I think they should be doing. So, it’s my prayer, hope, and conscience effort to be careful with words.

I subscribe to Christianity Today Building Church Leaders Newsletter and each week I receive case studies, training material, and articles relating to church administration, ministry goal/objectives, leadership, Sunday School development, ministry programs of all types, and a host of others. As I prepare for our meeting I found an interesting article on vision sharing. In this article by church leader Max De Pree, chairman of the board of Herman Miller, Inc., and author of Leadership Is an Art and Leadership Jazz, reflects on what vision can—and can't—accomplish within the church.

In his interview he was asked; “What are some myths about vision?” His response opened my eyes to understand much of the frustration that many pastors and leaders feel when the “vision” doesn’t come to pass. Here’s his response:

“That vision makes it possible to do anything. Believing such things can lead to serious consequences. One immediate consequence is feeling frustrated when you can't achieve your dream. You don't have the talent, the budget, or the time to do everything.”

I’ve found myself frustrated over the months because I have big dreams and high hopes for our church and at times I get frustrated when I look at our budget, talent, time, and membership. I guess frustration is a good thing because it shows that I want the best for God’s church. I could be like most guys who pastor for prestige and paper (money). I’m looking for neither. I want to build the kingdom of God with our local assembly.

Another question asked of Mr. De Pree is “Can too much vision tire a church out?” His response: “When a church is worn out, it may be that it's not being renewed. When people work in second gear all the time, never getting into overdrive, doing a lot of piddly stuff year in and year out, they get tired. But usually we're not worn out by tackling meaningful challenges. As a matter of fact, a leader ought to give high-performing people tougher challenges. Keep stretching them toward their potential. What makes us weary is a lack of renewal that comes from the satisfaction of work well done and well rewarded, followed by new challenges.”

I teach our church that a church of promise stretches us to the limit in our mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial capacities. Since the beginning of the year, I’ve raise the bar in ministry commitment and efforts. It was amazing watching the members of FGMBC this weekend work so hard to make our “Church On The Lot” a success. Many were tired on Sunday afternoon. However, some were energized to the point where we had to kick them off the parking lot and make them go home. There is excitement when we see fruit from our labor. It may not come overnight but it’s on the way keep working in the fields.

At the end of the interview another question was asked that prompted me to reflect on the life and ministry of our church; “Does our church celebrate enough?” My honest answer is No! In church and/or life, in general, we allow our challenges to overshadow our celebration. But when we stop to really think about it, we have much to be thankful for.

A follow-up question was posed; “What are some recent successes we should celebrate?” First Goodwill Church has rich history and no matter what struggles, challenges, strains, or whatever happened in time past the church is still standing. That in itself is more than enough reason for us to celebrate. There are other reasons for celebration in our church:

A new worship facility – I don’t have time to go through the story of why we did what did and how God opened doors to make it happen. I will say that one of deacons was having major breathing problems in since I arrived at the church. He and his wife remodeled their home to remove dust that they thought was causing his bronchitis to flare almost everyday it seemed. Just about every weekend he was rushed to emergency or he was up all night coughing or coughing uncontrollably during our worship service. At one point, he would lose breathe after a few steps of carrying something in the church or in his house. I’ve watched him since we’ve entered into our sanctuary, let’s celebrate, no uncontrollable coughing during worship and no more rushing to emergency. Our building was filled with pollution from mold and asbestos. All of that has been removed now. And, his breathing is much better. Praise God!

The return of former members – Mother Mary Richardson, Keith and Vita Johnson, and Marie and Alyssa Jackson. The return of these members has encouraged me in ways unexplainable. After a terrible split in the church years ago, they’ve returned to the place they call home. It’s even more special to see Mary Richardson, Keith, and Vita return because they are relatives of the late Pastor Larry D Richardson who passed some 15 years ago. Sis Mary and Keith would stop by every now and then but Vita would not attend. Once the church was completed and the Sunday after resurrection Sunday, she has made FGMBC her home again. Praise God! Marie and Alyssa has made FGMBC their home again and at least every other week they have brought someone, if not an entire family, with them. Let’s celebrate!

Christian Prospects, Yesenia and baby T. Yesenia works with Cheyanne and based on Cheyanne’s evangelistic effort, Yesenia and baby T has been attending our church. This is special because Yesenia is Mexican/American from a Catholic background. From my conversations with her, she enjoys being at our church while she struggles to understand Christianity. This speaks volumes for our church that the Word of God is powerful and changing lives regardless of any background. I have a running visionary joke with the members of our church to be the first black pastor (that I know of) with a Mexican church. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE MY AFRICAN/AMERICAN PEOPLE. But the Great commission says; “Make disciples of all nations” meaning racial diversity is the vision of the church.

As well, the brother-in-law of Marie Jackson has been attending our church since Father’s Day. After talking with him Sunday during our event, he is eager to get to church this coming Sunday. This is an additional reason for celebrating because he’s not saved and praying God uses our church lead him into a personal relationship with God. Let’s celebrate!

Outcome of Church on the Lot – Two (2) young Hispanic men received Christ

The sustaining of First Goodwill Church – Financially, it has been a struggle for our church to maintain our obligations. But, God has made away out of no way so many times. Our lights, gas, and phone are still on (never turned off). Monthly mortgage is getting paid. Ministry is taking place for what we’re able to do right now. We’re making it through these tough economic times by the generosity of our members. Let’s celebrate.

An evangelistic surge – Our church has made the main thing, the main thing, saving souls. I taught on “Becoming a Contagious Christian” during our Wednesday night bible study time and those in attendance has put those principles learned to practice and it’s evident.

We have a long way to go. Some maybe thinking; “That’s not a reason to celebrate”. Yes, it is! Vance Havner says; “Obstacles are stepping stones!” and I say; “Challenges are opportunities for God to blow our minds!” I’m in ministry for the long. Most successful ministries (whatever you deem success to be) didn’t start successful. There were growing pains along the way. It’s through these moments of pain that God will bring growth. A mother feels the pain of birth before experiencing the beauty of their child. Keep pushing church our baby is on the way!

Bottom-line, God is at work in our church more than we know. The Word of God is preached. Our worship service is wonderful. People are learning in bible study. The Lord is using our small lunch to make a big difference in the world.

Church, we can’t stop now, God is at work in our church.

Commercial: For those of you without a church home or a personal relationship with God come try God at First Goodwill Church located at 6900 South Compton Ave in Los Angeles, Ca 90001. The Word of God is being preached with power and conviction with the ultimate goal of saving the sinner and strengthening the saint. Worship times: Sunday @ 10 am and Wednesday Nights @ 7 pm.

For additional information about our ministry please check out our website at www.fgmbc.org.