Purpose Driven Church

Chapter 3 - What drives your Church?

                   Proverbs 19:21 ²¹ Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the

                                                       Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Quotable - Just because a program worked in the past does this mean it is successful and will continue to work in the means that it has in the past? Reminds me of the old saying, “If it is not broken do not fix it!”

Expansion to the building or addition to programs, outreach or change to the existing are all part of church growth, what we need to be aware of is multi driven forces in the church that compete for attention. This will almost always result in conflict within the church.

            Every church today is driven by something weather understood or not, what we all need to figure out in all honesty and ask is, “what is the driving force behind your church?” 

                        Tradition – “We have always done it that way” change is seen as negative.

Personality – What does the Leader (s) want? Agenda is determined by the needs and insecurities of the leaders .

Finances – “How much will it cost?” Conflict in thinking, how much did we save VS Who was saved?

Programs – All energy is focused on maintain and sustaining the programs (ie. Sunday school, Women’s or Men’s group, Youth group or Choir becomes filling positions rather than developing people.

Buildings – Members are anxious to have a nice building, leading to budget issues and financial stress.

Events – A lot of activities but not much productivity. Busy with no clear purpose for what is does to further the kingdom of God.

Seekers – So other centered allowing the unbelievers to become their primary focus neglecting the feeding of their own.

Plans, programs and personalities don’t last BUT Gods purpose will last! (pg.81)

Absolutely nothing will revitalize a discouraged church faster than rediscovering its purpose. (pg. 82)

Chapter 4 - The foundation for a healthy church

Quotable, “When you have finished laying the foundation the most critical work is behind you”

Warren points out, “clarify in the minds of everyone involved exactly why the church exists and what it is supposed to do.” He believes if your statement is clear your church will grow by five purpose benefits. I will spell them out for you.

1.     A clear purpose builds Morale. “If your mission is unclear your morale will be low.” (pg. 86) Supported by scripture. Proverbs 29:18 KJV” Where there is no vision the people perish.”

2.     A clear purpose reduces Frustration. “A clear purpose not only defines what we do, it defines what we don’t do.” (pg. 87) Isaiah 26:3 “God gives perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in him.”

3.     A clear purpose allows Concentration. “A clear purpose allows you to concentrate your effort.” Phil. 3:13 “I am brining all my energies to bear on this one thing, forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

4.     A clear purpose attracts Cooperation. “When a church clearly communicates its destination people are eager to get on board. (pg. 91) Ezra 10:4 “Tell us how to proceed in setting things straight, and we will fully cooperate.”

5.     A clear purpose assists Evaluation. “Evaluate your church by asking, “what is our business? And then, How’s business.” (pg. 93) 2 Corinthians 13:5” Examine yourselves whether you are in faith; test yourselves.”

Warren wraps up the chapter in simple four phase steps, define your purpose, communicate those purposes, and organize your church around these purposes and finally Application. I am looking forward to see what the reality of this could hold for the church.