Do we recognize when the power is gone?

Our area was recently hit with an ice storm that knocked out power for many people. A few had their power restored rather quickly, but for some it was several days before they had electricity. I know a few who moved into local hotels waiting for their power to be restored. Others borrowed generators to get them through the cold weather. Most just waited it out with extra blankets and coats.

Just before writing this post I went to a local supermarket to pick up a few things. As I walked in the door the lights went out. Someone announced the registers were down and customers needed to leave the store. After the recent problem due to the ice storm there was a lot of grumbling overheard as people were leaving.

It's easy to tell when we lose power in our homes. Everything grows dark, and this time of the year it becomes colder. But, do we know when our churches lose power? I would say not as powerless churches are a major problem in our country right now.

Jesus said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has comes upon you....(Acts 1:8)" The Holy Spirit is the source of our power. Without Him the church is powerless. We might have programs, education, technology, strategies, mission statements and strategic planning, but we will have no power without the Holy Spirit at work in our churches.

It is possible for churches to keep doing what they've always done and never notice that the Spirit has departed their efforts. They can have services each week, enjoy entertaining sermons and wonderful music, and maintain their decades-old ministries without the Holy Spirit. Like cut flowers in a vase, they look good, but because they are not rooted in anything they cannot grow and will eventually die.

Because things are not going as well as we might hope we might assume everyone needs to work a little harder. Maybe it's time for a new minister or staff person. Maybe a fresh coat of paint would improve things. I know one church that has painted everything that doesn't move and can't understand why things haven't got better. Congregations sit around remembering "the good old days" and wonder why things have changed. In all their conversations about what they need to do seldom does anyone look to the source of power in the church - the Holy Spirit.

For many churches He is the forgotten member of the Trinity. We might mention Him from time to time, but many of our churches are reluctant to talk about Him too often. We have at least some understanding of God the Father and God the Son, but God the Holy Spirit is another matter. For many churches in my denomination I think people are afraid of Him. When He is given free rein things happen. He can't be controlled and might do things that are not found in our policy manuals.

When you read the book of Acts you quickly realize He can't be controlled, but will do things upsetting to people, especially the religious crowd. But you also find that people's lives are changed when He's in control. People are saved. Marriages and homes are restored. Devils are defeated, and people are set free.

What the church needs more than anything is an understanding that a powerless church is a church without the Holy Spirit, and that our greatest need is a Spirit-sent revival in our land that will bring the power of the Spirit back into our churches. We've been trying to do church without Him for too long, and we've given up too much ground to the Devil. It's time we get reconnected to our power supply and once again become the church God has called us to be.

How you handle power says a lot about your character

Now that Democrats have reclaimed the House it will be interesting to see what they do. For months they have said if that happened they would spend their time trying to impeach the president. That would be a mistake on three fronts. One, no one has identified anything for which he could be impeached. Two, only the Senate has the power to impeach a president, and Republicans have solid control of the Senate. Third, there are important issues that are far more pressing that demand their attention.

Ed Rendell, former Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, has urged the House to focus on legislating, not investigating. As he pointed out, they have an opportunity to show real leadership by reaching across the aisle and working to pass significant legislation that enjoy bipartisan support. Rather than being afraid of giving President Trump a "win" they should be working to improve the lives of their fellow Americans. He offers wise counsel to his party.

Various persons on the news from both parties last night identified health care, immigration reform, and repairing the nation's infrastructure as potential areas in which both parties agree need to be addressed. While there are going to be differences in how these issues are resolved, both sides should be willing to look at finding solutions to these important issues. It would be far better than wasting time and money pursuing something that isn't going to happen anyway and might demonstrate that Congress is actually going to assume a leadership role in government.

How one handles power says a lot about a person's character. It's true in the political arena, and it's true in the church. Some pastors go into a church with a CEO mentality that is determined to tear down the current church structure and replace it with one of his or her own choosing. One pastor began his pastorate by replacing everyone in leadership within the first few months. When I questioned the church how he was able to do that I learned that their constitution gave the pastor that power. The first thing I did with them was help them rewrite their constitution!

I have written much in the past about church controllers. These individuals do great harm in the church by ensuring that nothing changes without their approval. They oppose anything that seems to be a threat to their position or power regardless of the positive impact it might have on the church. Their attitudes and actions demonstrate they lack the character to hold positions of authority in a church, and the church will remain stuck until it finds the courage to remove such individuals from their positions. Sometimes churches do not believe they can do that, but I have assisted several in the process. While it's not pleasant, it's necessary for the life of the church and the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

A new pastor went into a church and quickly learned who had created a lot of problems for the previous pastor. He invited the man to lunch and explained that he did not want them to be enemies but to be able to work together. They enjoyed a supportive ministry during the pastor's tenure in the church all because the pastor sought a positive relationship with the gentleman.

This should be the way things are in every church and in Washington. Learning to work together can get much accomplished and demonstrates character. Gridlock accomplishes nothing