In accessing
the role I play as Pastor one source of tension that remains an inevitable
challenge is trying to distinguish between real faith that leads to either
change or contentment and lack of faith, which leads to destructive change, or
lukewarm Christianity. Sometimes I feel led as the shepherd of this flock to
move the congregation to greener pastures with the inevitable consequence that
this will require the sheep to leave familiar surroundings and move ahead to a
place unknown. Other times I feel led to encourage a spirit of contentment in
order to protect the church body from rushing unnecessarily into trouble.
Knowing the difference can be a daunting challenge. The consequences for neglecting
to correctly discern “the will of God” will seemingly result in either, “putting
God to the test” or promoting “lukewarm” Christianity.
When the
noise level about a potential building project increases the need for correct
discernment should become the priority, not only of the pastor, but of every
member as well. Opinions concerning the need to build on to our existing
facility are wide spread. There are some in our church who feel that the time
to increase the size and appearance of our existing building is now. To be
sure, there are varying ideas and opinions as to what the size and scope of
this project might be. On the other hand, there are some who don’t believe any
building project is necessary until our current mortgage has been paid and even
then it still wouldn’t be necessary. I’m also sure that some are not informed
enough to have any opinion.
So, what is
“God’s Will?” Do we build believing that God wants to increase our capacity to
minister to the membership of this church as well as this community? Or are we
to be content and to do the best with what we have, resisting any action that
might be motivated by a selfishly ambitious spirit? I will share two examples
from Scripture, one to support the former and the other to support the latter.
In Genesis
22, God commands Abraham, “Take now your
son, your only son, whom you love…and offer him there as a burn offering…”
(22:2 NASB) Anyone reading this account
could not fail to sense the deep conflict within the soul of Abraham. What God
is asking Abraham to do is to trust Him to a degree he had never imagined, He
is asking him to trust Him with the most important thing in his life, namely
his son. As the story turns out, Abraham obeys, Isaac is spared and this is
God’s blessing to Abraham, “16…because
you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17
indeed I will greatly bless you…” (22:16, 17 NASB) Abraham received God’s
abundant blessing, only after his willingness to give up everything in
obedience to God.
The comfort
and familiar routines of our existing church experience can become a thing for
which we develop a deep and affectionate love. When any action threatens to jeopardize
the object of our love we get a sense of the tension that Abraham must have
felt. However, if the action is being required by God then only two responses
are possible: First, is the response of faith, as seen in Abraham, who,
although no doubt conflicted, responded with trust. Second, is the response of
fear, which would have, ironically enough, resulted in “saving” the thing
loved, but only momentarily. In the end, had Abraham disobeyed, he would have
had the temporary satisfaction of saving his son, the object of his love, but
he would have, at the same time, missed out on experiencing the love of God and
the provision of God that could only have been know through faithful obedience.
The second
passage is from Hebrews, “Keep your life
free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has
said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (13:5 ESV) The meaning of this verse
seems to me obvious. Within the sinful heart of every person lies the potential
for greed. It would be a luxury to know that upon accepting a position to
become the pastor of a church all potential to greediness or self-glory would
cease to exist. However, no such status exists and like everyone else, pastors
are as susceptible to envy and greed as anyone else. So there does exist the
real possibility that a pastor, along with every church member, who is pushing the
church to build a bigger building is doing so from a heart motivated by envy.
The warning in Hebrews speaks to just such a spirit.
So what are
we to do? Are we, like Abraham, to be willing to take a great risk and obey God
so that we might experience a deeper level of God’s grace and provision? Or are
we to sit tight, check our motives and be content with the provisions God has
given us? Honestly, until we are unified, I believe that our position must be
to the possibility that either outcome might be God’s will. As a church we must
be ready to surrender all to God when He asks. We must also be willing to
remain content, waiting on God, even when this posture brings the charge of
“unfaithful” by some. To know the difference, I guess is to believe that God is
able to make us ALL aware when He desires us to move and when He desires us to
be still. Either way faith in the power, goodness and provision of God remains
paramount.
Please join
or continue with me in praying to our God about the future of our church. His
Word reminds us that the Spirit of God does not bring confusion, “for God is not a God of confusion but of
peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (I Cor 14:33 NASB) His word also reminds us that
God reigns from on high, “But the Lord is
in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20
ESV).
Seeking
His Will
Pastor
Gibbs
