Merlin the magician, as depicted in T.H. White’s 1958 book “The Once and Future King,” is an enchanting wizard. He experiences time in a unique way. Born in the future, he views the present from the perspective of what has already materialized.
Merlin is aware of how the story concludes because for him, the ending is already assured. He is not uncertain about what happens next.
This serves as a metaphor for the journey of Christian congregations. It leads us to see the third pivot for congregations to truly soar with faith. Soaring congregations are embraced by God’s miraculous pull rather than relying on human efforts.
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When congregations feel the need to push and strive to make God’s will happen, they overwork and burnout. They should instead consider embracing the miraculous pull of God’s guidance toward the future — a future only our triune God fully understands.
Three differences
Here are three differences between congregations who are pushing and those who are empowered by the pull of God.
First, the key difference between congregations that push and those that pull lies in the contrast between human-driven effort and Holy Spirit-led surrender. This is a wonderful difference.
Second, congregational life sometimes feels like an overwhelming challenge, especially when efforts are aimed at being more spiritual, increasing program success and welcoming people into the congregation’s life and ministry. When things do not go as planned, it is common to assume the congregation was not committed enough or did not put in courageous effort.
Third, an organizational architect has a vision and invites others to join in bringing it to life. The spiritual adventure pathfinder senses where God is leading and shares the inspiring beauty of that divine journey.
A pulling vision
In a pushing congregation, leaders propose a vision aimed at cultivating a sense of mission and purpose. In contrast, a pulling congregation is one where vision comes as leaders are deeply inspired by God’s empowering Spirit. This approach encourages the congregation not to feel burdened, but to eagerly behold and be inspired by the glorious presence of God.
Adopting a Christ-centered perspective rather than a purely congregational one truly transforms how we see our story and our ministry actions. Rather than thinking of God as someone who pushes us from darkness into light, it is more heartening to realize God is ahead of us, gently drawing us toward His holy light.
Instead of leaders encouraging congregations to grow through their own efforts, future-focused disciples remind everyone of the promising future ahead, filled with hope and assurance.
The leadership of congregations is not about giving leaders free rein. It is about being guided and inspired by God. It is not about dwelling on past mistakes or current struggles, but about looking forward to the future and the glory that awaits.
Future-focused disciples
Future-focused disciples possess a calm assurance and unwavering confidence. Even when the world around them seems chaotic, their Christlike nature helps leaders stay steady because they know the ending is already secured.
They relate to the Creator of the eternal story as the gathered and scattered community of believers led by our loving God. He has already walked the path, lived the life and achieved victory. These congregations do not strive for victory; they live from the victory, inspired by His journey.
EDITOR’S NOTE — George Bullard spent five decades in Baptist congregational and denominational ministry. His ministry roles included three churches, three associations, three state conventions and one national entity. In 2022, he began as a columnist for TAB Media Group’s publication The Baptist Paper. Bullard continues to serve as a strategic thinking mentor for Christian leaders through his ForthTelling Innovation ministry. TAB Media Group published his new book “Soaring with Faith: The Difference Maker for Congregations” — available on Amazon.
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