That's Enough

September 20, 2017

“How do I make it happen?” In a variety of ways, he asked the same question over and over again. His concern was sincere; he felt the weight of pastoral ministry, what St. Paul described as that “eternal weight of glory,” something so significant and lasting and wonderful that when we’re fully cognizant of it, it leaves us trembling. Transforming broken lives and holding fast the truth of the Gospel are lofty goals, but they often get buried in the day to day detritus of budgets, hurting people, and conflicting personalities. 

Among the Scriptures that had arrested his attention was Ephesians 3:20-21. It’s part of a prayer: “Now unto him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or imagine, according to the power at work in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” I’ve been in this business long enough to have seen program after program that promises to increase everything from attendance to finances to enthusiasm for evangelism. It seems everyone who is anyone is hawking their panacea for whatever ails the church. It’s all well-meaning, and it’s not ill-advised to learn as much as we can about systems, psychology, etc. But there isn’t a program on earth that has the capacity to usher in the Kingdom of God. 

I reminded this young pastor that the Scripture he quoted says nothing about our talent, our plans, our programs. It speaks only about what God is able to do, and that it is far beyond our comprehension. If there is any technique, program, or process, it is simply to dream and ask big. Salvation is not within our ability, but it is available from the God of salvation to people, through people who know they are small, but God is not. 

I used to think I knew how to grow a church. When years ago everything I had worked for collapsed, I discovered a lot of what I knew wasn’t so. Anymore, I don’t know very much about growing a church, but I know enough to go to the One who does, and to ask big, ask continually, and approach humbly. That’s enough.