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Why Prayer and Programs Must Coexist

As pastors and leaders, we want to see our ways of doing church as finite—as “black and white”—and right! However, the reality is that life and ministry are often more like “shades of gray.”

The result: The harder we’ve tried to press our ministry methods into finite definitions, the more we’ve alienated ourselves from other pastors and ministries, and missed important aspects of who God is and the purpose He has given us as the church.

I believe our goals are the same: to work in concert with God as He builds His church. And yet, the irony in our move toward the extremes is that we are seeing recession in our churches—not growth!  

Is there a way to embrace BOTH the ideals we hold to AND those that seem to be in direct opposition?  

In the past, it was easier to identify with one ministry method over another.

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For example, some pastors held passionately to the idea that if they just prayed and tended to spiritual disciplines, everything they desired would be accomplished. Other pastors seemed to excel in programs and being organized.

These two approaches quickly polarized. For the pastors who focused on prayer, the idea of investing too much time in programs seemed heretical. Some even moved so far to the extreme that having any organization during their services was viewed as a hindrance to the Holy Spirit. For those who were more program-driven, the lack of attention to organization, detail and excellence seemed grossly irresponsible. 

Can extremes coexist and even compliment each other?

I believe prayer and programs must coexist, and the Bible clearly shows this BOTH/AND approach.

Jesus withdrew to pray AND He established structure in His ministry. In the formation of the early church, powerful meetings, miracles and moves of God happened AND Paul established leadership structures, decorum in worship and methods of handling the situations the church was facing.

Three KEYS to BOTH/AND Thinking 

Here are three keys that will help you become BOTH/AND in your thinking and in your approach to ministry.

The first key is what I call PLACES.

This has to do with your level of exposure outside of your sphere of influence.

If you don’t “get out much,” I strongly urge you to! Get outside of your comfort zone—the place where everyone agrees with you! If you don’t, you are limiting your ability to expand! PLACES could be conferences you attend or churches you visit that tend toward the opposite approach to how you do ministry.

You must venture outside of your network to get exposure and see the value in other approaches to ministry and life.