Let’s talk about making that real lasting investment in our communities, and making it outside of our church. (Catch-up with the introduction HERE.) I love MY church, THE church, and the calling of the church. However, sincerely believing that doesn’t mean that the Church Can Do Everything, and it Helps to Make our Message Real. The other great side-effect of serving in an uncomfortable place is it Forces us as Leaders to Grow.
When we take ourselves of the comfort our churches afford us, we begin to see all kinds of discipleship happen in our own lives. I know what your thinking… “Where are you getting this churches lead to comfort talk?”
I believe that when all our interaction with people is within the confines of our Christian environments, that we become separate from the real lives of so many around us. We actually begin to exists in environments we can explicitly control, and when we control the environment of our interactions we can easily grow comfortable. When we step outside of those things we can control, then we are forced to be hands and feet for a gospel message to those that need it the most.
It’s time that we make personal growth and discipleship a priority, and just as we encourage people to serve in our areas of ministry; we need to back it up with our own service in their lives. Don’t believe the myth that all your personal growth will happen within the context of your local church. You can and will grow as a leader and a believer by taking the reality of the gospel outside your church walls and into your community.
