Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

430 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

Barriers to Using Wisdom in Ministry Tasks “. . . we are not unaware of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2.11)

• “We’ve never done it that way before.” God has no use for traditions that block his progress. Just because it has been done a certain way does not indicate it remains a wise option (Acts 10). • “We’re doing fine.” Apparent (or real) success can keep you from greater fruitfulness (John 15.2). • “Being organized doesn’t allow for the leading of the Holy Spirit.” God had a plan and is working his plan through us. We should not be ashamed to have a plan and work that plan. • “It doesn’t matter what we do – God will bless it. We will face it when we come to it.” While there are some things that are better left later, sometimes this attitude reflects a lack of discipline. • “We can do it” rather than “we should do it.” – basing decisions on emotion, expediency, or available resources. ~ Keep a clear focus on the vision. ~ Engage activities which contribute to that vision. ~ Many good things to invest in, but only a few contribute to the vision . ~ Poor stewardship to be driven by opportunities rather than by vision. ~ Wisely consider the implications of decisions, not the easiest path. ~ Emotions can easily deceive us. “Be clear-minded and self controlled so you can pray” (1 Pet. 4.7). ~ The path of least resistance often carries a price to pay. ~ CONTRIBUTION TO VISION. • Fatigue. “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.” When we get tired, we are more resistant to new ideas and anything which will tap our already-low resources. This resistance can result in missed opportunities. • Fear of failure, fear of change, fear of losing supporters ~ Mediocrity is preferable because it is safer. ~ Risk brings the prospect of personal failure and humiliation (“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control,” 2 Tim. 1.7). ~ Natural to dread change, but we are constantly being transformed (Rom. 12.2; 2 Cor. 3.18).