A church worth leading

When I finish a book I go back through it and file the highlighted areas in a filing system I have on my computer. I have to confess I am a little behind on my filing. The other evening I was filing a very good book I read on leadership, The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters by Albert Mohler. One statement he made really jumped off the page at me. He wrote
 
   No organization that exists simply for itself is worth leading.
   Leaders want to lead organizations and movements that make
   a difference - that fill a need and solve real problems.

As I read those words I thought about the two ministries I have had, pastor at Hebron Baptist Church and resource minister with the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky, and realized what I enjoyed most about them was that they were organizations that were making a difference. Both were committed to solving real problems. They were worth my investing my time and life in leading.

At times, both presented challenges, but they were challenges worth addressing because at the end of the day people's lives were going to be changed because of the work of these two ministries. I consider myself quite blessed because God gave me the opportunity to serve 34 years in two ministries that were (and are) making a difference in people's lives.

I cannot imagine serving in a ministry that isn't going anywhere or doing anything. A church worth leading has a vision that provides direction and inspires people to join in the fulfillment of that vision.

A church worth leading doesn't take itself seriously but takes its purpose very seriously. I remember a new member at Hebron once saying after a business meeting, "I didn't know people could laugh at a business meeting. That sure didn't happen in my former church." To be honest, we had a few that didn't contain much laughter, but these were very rare.

A church worth leading is willing to change. That doesn't mean that change comes easily, but at least there is a willingness to change. That willingness is not found in every church.

A church worth leading is inviting to new people. Some churches have erected huge walls that tend to keep people out. Churches worth leading remove those barriers so persons can come in.

A church worth leading is always pointing people to Jesus Christ. It is when we lift him up that he is able to draw others to him, and a church worth leading understands that one of their primary purposes to is invite people to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Is your church worth leading? If now, what can you do to help make it such a church?