LeBron, Ministers and Church Championship Titles

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jul 8, 2010 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

At one point every minister faces the music and determines that every member wants their congregation to be a Church Championship Congregation! Believe it or not, but church folk compare their congregations to other congregations in terms of determining how well they are doing in the statistical categories of evangelism, baptisms, singing, attendance, contributions and the list could go on and on. Every member (it seems) wants to be the congregation that every other congregation admires and holds up as the “Church Championship Congregation!” It may not be a competition, but it must be admitted that some see it that way.

For example: Have you ever heard people say, “Well, this congregation has this program, let’s be like them.” or “Our church is not growing as fast as that church.”

Allow me to be forthright and say that no minister can do it alone! There must be a great supporting staff, whether paid or volunteer, to assist each one in congregational growth. If the minister does it all, he will either (1) burnout, (2) move soon or (3) the congregation will grow and when he does leave it will shrink to the shallows of church death. Ministers do not want to see a congregation grow because of their work, they should want to see a congregation grow because of God’s work. It is not an ego issue, but a God following issue.

Consider this: LeBron James is the most sought after player in the NBA right now, due to free agency. However, LeBron has not won a championship. He is being compared to the great players of all time: Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, etc. but the NBA Championship alludes him. He is searching for a ring on his hand, but he should be searching for the supporting staff. Even the great ones had a powerful supporting staff to assist them in winning the championship.

The Bible speaks of the entire body working together in Ephesians 4.11-14:

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (ESV; emphasis mine)

Did you notice Paul’s words regarding the roles in the church? He gave some so they may “equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for the building up the body of Christ.” Paul understands there is a role that each person plays in the body of Christ. Some will be “equippers” and others will be the “equippes.” Notice the next few verse as to why Paul says there are roles:

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4.15-16; ESV; emphasis mine)

Paul says the “whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly” is vital to building up the body! Every joint, that is every member (Romans 12.4-8; 1 Corinthians 12.12-31), must work properly to aid the body in growth. Can you imagine a congregation where every member is working “properly” as God sees fit? A congregation where the elders shepherds, the deacons deacon, the preacher preaches and the members each minister to everyone they meet? The community would explode with excitement and power. There would be no need for advertising our times of service because the building would always be full. Even those of the other religious groups would become obedient to the gospel. The addition of members would turn to multiplication of members. It is possible! I know it is possible because I read of it in the book of Acts! (Specifically, Acts 6.1-7)

To be honest, there is no “Church Championship Congregation.” The only championship I want to receive is a crown of glory from my Father (2 Timothy 4.6-8). A simple wreath of eternal ivy is more than enough to decorate the room in the mansion of God I richly desire (John 14.1-6).

To my preaching friends, remember, you are not in this alone. There are countless of Christians supporting you daily. There are countless other preachers praying for you each day. You do not have to do this alone and you must not. You must lean on your supporting staff and let them handle some of the load.

To church members everywhere, lend a helping hand. Bring your neighbors, your friends and your co-workers. Share with them the powerful message of hope and grace in Christ. Stop comparing your ministers to the “big guns”, your church to the “big churches”, and begin comparing your own life to Jesus.

To LeBron, remember to look for that great supporting cast. They will be your arms, legs and strength. The strength is not your own, but the united effort of those around you.

What are your thoughts? These are just a few of mine.

Chris