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THE POWER OF A PURPOSE STATEMENT

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THE POWER OF A PURPOSE STATEMENT

PURPOSE STATEMENT

As a young preacher I attended Dr. Jack Hyles’ Pastor School on several occasions. Each year he reiterated their purpose statement by saying First Baptist is “The Church With A Heart.” He would spend the rest of the evening marching each of their ministries across the platform, illustrating their purpose. It took me some time to fully understand that action. But, I finally came to the place where I got it. Because they had a heart for all people, the church was committed to identifying all classes and groups and then developing a strategy to reach them for Christ.

I am convinced that every church should determine its true purpose; create a statement and then let that statement become their northern star to direct them. This should not be hastily done. One should take several days or weeks to think this matter through. If done properly, this becomes the hub around which all your ministry activities will revolve.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]I am convinced that every church should determine its purpose so that all future planning knows what direction to go.[/pullquote]

Your purpose statement should state what your ministry will be about. Most Christians have heard of Focus on the Family. That purpose statement tells you where their effort and finances will focus. At Open Door Baptist we created the following purpose statement: “Open Door exist to bring families from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity.” That purpose statement tells us exactly what our emphases and efforts will be. Every ministry should be started and structured with the whole family in mind.

Once a statement has been accepted it should be dissected and each part developed with action verbs to accomplish the purpose. All future planning should be done to move the church toward your purpose or northern star; as you do, you will begin to experience the power of a purpose statement.

Many churches create a purpose statement and then put it in a drawer, and  forget it. That is a sign the leadership is not serious, and has a fear of failure. The purpose statement should be on every piece of literature, and posted where everyone sees it. It must be your guiding star. How many people really know what your purpose is? That will tell you how your are doing.

PASTORS WHO ARE PUPPETS

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ARE YOU A PUPPET PASTOR OF A CHURCH

puppetBy Ken Blue

When I was a child, I always enjoyed the time of the Apple Blossom Festival. Not only did it bring several hundred people from other states, a carnival also came to town. There was everything you can imagine for the children, and the adults.

In addition to the hundreds of rides, games, concession stands, and clowns, there were always several puppet shows going on at the same time. As kids, we were mesmerized by the music, the characters, and the life-like stories. In fact, we would get so caught up in the story, and the action that we failed to notice that there were adults behind the curtains pulling, and manipulating the strings to create the action. The puppets had no life of their own, they were unknowingly controlled by the pull of others.

I must admit, there was a time in my early ministry when, I too, was a puppet on an invisible string.  I could not see it, but those with discernment could. The sad part was, I wasn’t sure of my own identity, or who was pulling the strings. I wasn’t sure, but I believed if I did not move according their influence, the strings would be cut.

Pastors, including myself, fall into a “herd mentality.” Little by little, we believe if we should offend or break from the herd, the wolves will devour us. The only safety, is loyalty to, and cooperation with the brethren. If you doubt this, just invite a guest speaker, or attend a conference not on their approval list. Oh, how the gossip will fly. “Blue is no longer a Bible believer. He now has PowerPoint, and I hear they serve coffee. What a shame. His church has become a theater.” Those are the more generous criticism.

I have discovered, and painfully so, that many I counted as true friends forsook me “faster than a speeding bullet” when I determined to pastor counter to their brain washed MIND SET. There are many pastors who would like to rearrange their ministries, but they fear, and they know the second they did they would indeed become “independent Baptist.” Pastors need to understand that “the brethren” do not build their church. Are you a puppet, pastor?

INVITATION GIMMICKS

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Manipulation at the Invitation

By Ken Blue

2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

 There is little that is more disgusting than some of the methods used by evangelist and pastors to get people to walk the aisle, or come to “the altar.” Every psychological trick in the bag has been used at invitation time.

I have seen evangelist talk saved people out of their salvation, and make the believer believe they were never saved, in order to get them to walk the aisle again. They are told if they did not say the proper prayer, exercise real faith, did not accept Jesus as Lord of their life, and did not hold their mouth just right, they were not saved.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If the Spirit of God is working, you don’t need manipulative tactics.[/pullquote]

In order to persuade others to come for greater commitment, a series of questions will be asked. Some of those questions go like this, “How many of you want to grow in your faith, if so, raise your hand?” After the hands are raised, the believer will next be told, if he is sincere, come on down to the altar. Another question might be, “How many are struggling with some sin in your life?” Again, all hands will go up, and again the believer is told that victory is at the altar. “Come, and be delivered.” Of course, nothing works like asking, “How many of you would like God to bless your finances?” All, except those who know what is going on, will raise their hands. You know the next step. “Come to the altar, and ask God to bless your finances.”

Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in preaching for results, but I despise being manipulated, or seeing it pulled on others. During my years in the ministry, I have seen evangelist continue the invitation for thirty to forty minutes. I am convinced that the real motive behind most of this is for the ego of the speaker, and not for the souls of men. If the Spirit of God is working, you don’t need manipulative tactics; if He is not, you aren’t getting spiritual results, no matter how it looks. Don’t resist the Spirit of God, and don’t be made merchandise by egotistical evangelist.

FOOT IN MOUTH

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OPEN MOUTH.  INSERT FOOT.

FOOT

By Ken Blue

We are all guilty of saying things that are just plain stupid. It is not intended, but when revealed to us, we end up being embarrassed. Recently I heard a man preach who made this blunder. I am confident he was a sincere, and a good man. I am also sure he had no idea that he “put his foot in his mouth.”

In the early part of his message, he explained why he attended a Bible preaching church for the first time and heard the gospel. The church was having some type of outreach program where those who brought the most visitors  received points. He said he attended to accommodate the young girl and help her win. It was there he heard the gospel and was saved!

However, toward the end of the message, he spoke out against programs to reach the lost or get them to church. He had just put his foot in his mouth and didn’t know it. That was how he got to church and was saved.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Many are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying.[/perfectpullquote]

He continued by saying, “If you use programs to reach people, you will have to continue the program to keep them.” BINGO! There went his foot in his mouth again. I have been in the ministry for over 40 years, and can assure you that the motivation that brings a person to church does not have to continue to keep them coming. Those who use that argument simply have not thought through what they are saying.

Pastor, let me give you a little challenge. On some Sunday, ask the congregation how many of them were saved in church. Then ask “How many of you had decided prior to attending church you were going to get saved that day?” You will be amazed. Most lost people do not come to church to get saved or hear the Word of God. Like our pastor friend, most attend for some other reason.

I went to church because it was Easter Sunday, and my girlfriend had a pretty dress. That Sunday I was saved! Secondly, It is not Easter or the pretty dress that has keep me attending church for 50 years.

So, don’t let the anti-program crowd stop you from having as many outreach programs possible. Many dear pastors are simply parroting their peers and have no idea what they are saying. Try to keep your foot out of your mouth.

THE TRADITION TEST

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TRADITION IN YOUR MINISTRY
tradition

By Ken Blue

“Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.” Acts 16:3.

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 .

It is possible, like the Jews, we too have allowed tradition to hinder our outreach and the Word of God. A good question is what would we give up or add in order to win more souls for Christ. I believe our answer may reveal just how strongly we are bound to tradition.

1.         Would you be willing to have services on another day instead of Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

2.         Would you be willing to change the order of your Sunday service, if it meant you would reach more people?

3.         Would you be willing to change the time of your service on Sunday, if it meant you would reach more people?

4.         Would you be willing to change the style of your preaching, if it meant you would reach more people?

5.         Would you be willing to change the decor and arrangement of your building, if it meant you would reach more people?

6.         Would you be willing to have your choir wear robes, if it meant you would reach more people?

7.         Are there musical instruments you would not use, even if using them meant you would reach more people?

8.         Would you be willing to change your music, if it meant you would reach more people?

9.         Would you be willing to use background music, if it meant you would reach more people?

10.       Would you be willing to face the wrath of the brethren, if it meant you would reach more people?

Now, there is no guarantee that any of the changes would lead to reaching more souls for Christ. The point is, would you be willing to change if you knew it would? Your answer will reveal your value of souls and the ruts of tradition in your ministry.