The Lesson for Senior Pastors
Pastors, did you hear that? “If you put out a record and half the people who hear it absolutely love it and half the people who hear it absolutely hate it you’ve done well.”
Insert “sermon” or “vision” or “philosophy of ministry” or “leadership style” for the word “record” and see how that sounds.
“If you preach a sermon and half the people who hear it absolutely love it and half the people who hear it absolutely hate it you’ve done well.”
U2 used to be great BECAUSE Bono had a messiah complex. BECAUSE they started as a punk band and WANTED to tick you off. BECAUSE he stood up to American Christians who called themselves followers of Jesus but had abandoned those with Aids in Africa.
I want the old Bono back.
And your church wants the old you back.
Get away to the mountains with a Rick Rubin or two who can help you get your fire back and don’t come back till you do.
Most senior pastors I begin coaching tell me stories about how they used to be risk takers. They used to preach with boldness. They used to not care what bottom-feeding church hopping consumer Christians thought of their sermons.
And they had IMPACT because of it.
Yes, they divided their hearers. Some of their people weren’t too happy. They got criticized, received notes in the offering bowls, and got flame mails no Christian should ever have to read.
WHO CARES?
The opposite of creating division by pushing the boundaries with a timely message from a holy God is not congregational unity, but disobedience.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
The best sermons divide the audience.
The best mission statements cause some people to leave, and others to rally together.
The best leaders, worship, outreach and a long list of other ministry activities—all have the same effect.
Have the guts to reach deep down inside and make a radical commitment to be your most authentic self.
Forget the critics.
Forget the crowd.
Forget wondering whether people will like what you’re doing.
Grab the world by the throat and watch what happens.
This article originally appeared here.
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