For most of us, our goal in life is to be successful. The problem is, there are many definitions of success. For some, success is found in wealth, for others it is power. For some it is doing something creative. For others it is making a difference.
It is the same issue in the church. We each want our church to be successful, but there are varying understandings of success within the church. For some, it is numerical growth, for others, it is financial health. For some, it is spiritual growth, for others, it is getting people involved. We each bring our understanding to church and measure whether or not the church is successful.
The problem is, the goal of the church is given to us by God. The goal is to build a community which is faithful to God, loving of each other, and inviting toward others outside the church. It requires that we focus on the bigger picture of God’s call for us.
Because our ultimate purpose is to be a people in fellowship with God, and who serve God. We accomplish this as we seek to attain the goals God has set forth for the church.
As members of the church, we are asked to keep God’s goals in mind in our worship, in our fellowship, and in our outreach. We are invited to insure that all we do as a congregation moves us toward achieving God’s goals for the church. We are to become people who set aside our definition of success in favor of God’s definition.
There are lots of books that have been written about how the church is to function. Ultimately, we are to fulfill God’s goals. We are to be faithful, loving and inviting. As we do this, we will recognize the need to grow spiritually, to be involved with one another, to maintain the space where ministry occurs and to be healthy financially to support the ministry. But we will see all these as a means to an end with the end being faithful worship, loving fellowship and a spirit of true invitation and inclusion. That is our ultimate calling in Christ. It is who we are to be. We are invited to plan the course for our church with these goals in mind, always asking how we can insure that we accomplish God’s goals.
