I just finished reading Jared Wilson’s The Gospel-Driven Church. Solid book. I’d recommend it to anyone. There are many great statements in the book. I think this statement could possibly be the most important:
Remember that simply moving forward is walking in obedience. Don’t assume you aren’t being faithful until you arrive. (193)
The first time a weary pastor picks up a book like Nine Marks of a Healthy Church or a book like The Gospel-Driven Church it’s such a balm to the soul. But it also can make you a tad angry. Angry at systems and structures which have bruised and wounded you. And this is matched with a passion to see things change. And to change them immediately.
“Why are we not doing this!!?!?! Why are we waiting to obey God’s Word?!?!?!!”
I’ve said things like that. To me, regenerate church membership is obvious. There is absolutely no reason why a church should have 70% of their members still on the rolls when they haven’t attended in years. Likewise, church discipline is pretty obvious in the Bible. It’s pretty cut and dry what we are supposed to do about unrepentant sin and how we should handle conflict in the body of Christ.
When you become convinced of these things as a pastor you can feel as if you are being unfaithful when you aren’t yet leading your church towards these things. And Jared is absolutely correct that “it is quite possible to make gospel-centrality into an idol”. Deep discontent can wash over us and we can start loving the church we could be instead of the church we are. We can become obsessed with moving our church towards health…and that’s rather unhealthy. We can sacrifice our calling as pastors on the alter of overseeing and leadership.
God calls shepherds to be tender as well as truthful. And the tender shepherd will learn to celebrate steps towards obedience. And when I say celebrate I don’t mean participation trophy celebrate. I mean your kid just took first steps and you’re amazed because you know it’s the first of many more to come. Hopeful celebration.
I believe much of the discontent within pastoral ministry hinges upon this point. We have become so obsessed with the pilgrims arrival that we’ve lost the ability to celebrate the pilgrims progress. Our goal as pastors is always to be faithfulness. And faithfulness isn’t found only when you get into the Promised Land. Faithfulness is found in that first step out of Egypt and every subsequent one after.
I think we worry that if we celebrate baby steps we’ll stagnate and become content with those initial steps and never be spurred on to greater health. But walking doesn’t work that way. We cheered when our kids took their first steps. And they kept taking more. Glory has insatiable component to it. There is a glory hunger that will keep on walking. And it’s fueled by encouragement. It doesn’t stagnate. It tastes that the Lord is good and it keeps on trucking towards the prize.
Let’s learn to celebrate baby steps of obedience. Like, really celebrate.
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