The role of the pastor is increasingly challenging in an ever-changing secular movement that often displaces Christianity within our homes, schools, and communities. As spiritual leaders, pastors serve as vital change agents within their local contexts. If you doubt the cultural shift currently underway, simply post about God on social media and observe the reactions from across the spectrum. However, as followers of Christ called to serve as under-shepherds, pastors are held to a higher standard to navigate through disinformation and share the gospel with both love and truth.
Embrace the change that comes with growth.
As you serve in the established church, you will notice many elements that require transformation both inside and outside the building. The challenge lies in discerning where God is leading and guiding the congregation in that direction. Change is inherently difficult, much like starting a new diet or transitioning to a different career. Yet, in these seasons of transition, God stretches the believer and the church to become more like Him and less like the world. While leading people through change is not easy, it is a necessary component of the spiritual and physical growth God intends for His people.
Embrace the challenge to become a better you.
Scripture does not suggest that the Lord wants His people, especially His leaders, to stop growing. Time and again, He challenges leaders to stretch their faith, move in uncomfortable directions, and reach a potential they never knew they possessed. The same applies to the established church. God desires to see new days of spiritual and physical growth. He longs for the church to embrace a community-focused model that serves seven days a week, rather than just two. He is challenging you to grow by saying yes: yes to serving in His way, yes to living for Christ daily, and yes to meeting the needs of those around you.
How often have you prayed, “Lord, send someone or something to help us.” What if you are the “someone”? What if your church is the “something”? Christians often miss their calling because they don’t want to become the better person God calls them to be. Same with the church. They do not want to change, so they doom themselves to a slow decline and ultimate death by making no decision.
Embrace the character-building that will help you become the best you.
If you are willing to surrender over your walk with the Lord, God can use you to impact your community like never before. Complete surrender is not holding on to “stuff’ but giving everything: faith, family, finances, and the list could go on to the Lord. It’s a total surrender of this world’s trappings and embracing the character of Christ in your life. When you commit yourself to Christ, he will use the gifts he birthed inside you to help transform the local church and community into his image. The task will be great, “but greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Trust him, rely on him, and then watch how he uses you to transform people and places around you.
The local church today needs Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, and faithful leaders inside the local church. Do not allow the flashes of bright lights from the church down the street to distract you from the mission God has for you. If God wanted you to have a megachurch, he would do it right where you are. So trust him. Believe that his Word is accurate. You might not even realize it, but God is using you right now to help the people in your local church and community. He has called you right where you are because his assignment is great, and he is asking you to fulfill it. Stay focused and allow him to build you up to become the leader he needs you to be.
Embrace the paradigm as a change agent and watch how God transforms your heart and others around you. While not always easy, leading is a lot easier with God if you allow him to take the lead.