Reflections on the American Megachurch and the Obligations of Leadership

MILES McPHERSON
“God is always going to call you to step out of the boat.”

THE ROCK CHURCH

Don’t be a pastor if it’s just an option. It has to be the only thing your heart burns like fire in your bones to do, because it will kill you. In the end, you have to walk by faith. Theory and leadership slogans are not going to sustain you because God is always going to call you to step out of the boat. The only thing that’s going to hold you up is trusting in the Word of God.

The more well-known you get, the more negative press you get. It’s really a misnomer that when all the bright lights are on you, it’s all good, because there’s a lot of bad and a lot of disappointment and attacks and betrayal. Look at Jesus’ life, David’s life, Moses’ life—every leader in the Bible—they all were betrayed by very close people to them, so I think any leader who’s out there trying to do something is going to get the darts thrown at him, and those darts, those thorns in the flesh, will keep him humble.

FRANCIS CHAN
“Once your heart breaks enough for people, you’ll find a way to get the message to them.”

AUTHOR AND SPEAKER

The biggest problem with evangelism—the way we see it in the States—is that it’s gotten so impersonal. People in the church don’t know how to look an unbeliever in the eye and actually love him or her and carry on a conversation with them. It’s always going to be easier to hang out with believers or people who think the same way we do. It’s going to be uncomfortable to build relationships with unbelievers.

I would encourage leaders not to get too caught up in methodology, because once your heart breaks enough for people, you’ll find a way to get the message to them.

Outreach Magazine
Outreach Magazinehttp://outreachmagazine.com

Outreach magazine publishes ideas, innovations, resources and stories to help church leaders reach their communities and change the world. Founded in January 2003 by church communications company Outreach Inc., Outreach is an award-winning, bimonthly periodical for church leadership and is available by subscription and on Amazon.com. Find out more at outreachmagazine.com

When Familiar Becomes Careless

God wants to be in a relationship with his people that’s not marked by fear but love. Not apprehension, but an appreciation of his great grace and compassion.

Grover Park Baptist Church: A Thread of Hope

At auction, the quilts go for hundreds or even thousands of dollars that directly help women and children in need, providing funds for baby and maternity items at the pregnancy resource center.

There’s No Contradiction Between God’s Empowerment and Our Efforts to Battle Sin

The Christian life is not a choice between loving and trusting Jesus, and making an effort to avoid temptation and sin. It is not either/or—it is both/and.