Investing Outward

The reason our churches start failing is because over time the church tends to turn inward—to focus on pleasing those on the inside. They stop reaching out to the lost and disenfranchised. As a result, the church becomes a comfortable museum of what God once did rather than an example of what God still does.

God’s nature is the opposite. God’s nature leads him to open the door to all people (John 3:16). The result is always positive. It led Jesus to leave heaven and give his life for us, the lost and broken of this world. It led him to open his arms to all people and invite them to come. It’s why we have hope.

Looking Forward

The church’s future begins today. So for our churches to be working right tomorrow, we as leaders must make the right choices today. We must make the decision to lead our people to genuinely follow Jesus. We must value what God values and lead our people to do the same. And we must do whatever it takes to hold our church doors wide open.

We must get more excited about people finding Christ than anything else. After all, God does. Luke 15:7 says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Yes, pastoring, whether in a small or big church, can be discouraging and frustrating. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. The church’s future begins today.

Brad Powell
Brad Powellhttp://outreachmagazine.com/people/3370-brad-powell-northridge-church-plymouth-mich.html

Brad Powell, an Outreach magazine contributing editor, is the senior pastor of NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Mich., a 2012 Outreach 100 church (No. 48 Largest). He is the author of "Change Your Church for Good" (Nelson) and consults with church leaders to help them lead their churches through transition.

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