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The Pastor Who Won’t Risk

Orginally published on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 12:01 AM
by Todd Rhoades

This weekend, my family went to see the new movie "Robots." It was a cute move… one that we all enjoyed. It’s one of those movies that does have a good moral at the end of the story… you know; the never-old idea of "work hard, follow your dreams you can change the world." Well, there was one line in the move that really stuck out to me for some reason. It all happens when one of "Rodney Copperbottom’s" self-destructing friends tells Rodney his life’s motto: "Never try… never fail.”

Actually, it was author and minister John L. Mason who said it this way: "Only those who do not expect anything are never disappointed. Only those who never try, never fail. Anyone who is currently achieving anything in life is simultaneously risking failure. It is always better to fail in doing something than to excel in doing nothing. A flawed diamond is more valuable than a perfect brick. People who have no failures also have few victories."

Michael Jordan said it this way: "I have failed over and over again -- that is why I succeed."

So why is it as pastors and church leaders, we fear failure so much? Why is it that so many churches and pastors hardly ever take risks? Why is the state of today's church in many communities is just more of the same old, same old? Why do we settle for maintaining the status quo?

According to Kirbyjon Caldwell, Walt Kallestad and Paul Sorensen in their book Entrepreneurial Faith, status quo thinking will fail the church...

"The world is changing too rapidly for us to continue doing things just as we have done them in the past. If you think your city is immune to the radical changes and monumental shifts in our culture, think again. The United States is no longer a Christian nation, if it ever was one. Past assumptions about spiritual needs and beliefs, religious attitudes and allegiances, no longer hold sway. All this means that the past ways of doing ministry no longer speak to the needs of most people. If we?re doing what we?ve always done, we might be missing the opportunity to minister to those who need it the most."

Do you agree? If so, what can you do today to take the plunge? What risk can you take that will pay-off bigtime? Could you fail? Absolutely! But so what? The stakes are so high... but there is so much to gain! We're talking God's kingdom here... His people... His church... and lost souls.

Caldwell, Kallestad and Sorensen continue:

"If we can?t reach this generation by remaining within the walls of the church, and all the signs indicate that we can?t, then it?s time for entrepreneurial faith initiatives. We must take the church to the community. And it?s not just the twentysomething generation that is being missed. Look around your community and start making a list. There?s the immigrant population, the teen population, those who have grown up with no Christian influence and thus no familiarity with religion, and many, many others. Very few of these people will ever be affected by what goes on during a church service, no matter how dynamic, upbeat, and relevant the service is. Those who are following Buddhism or Hinduism, those who claim no religion, those who have been wounded in life (sometimes, even by the church), the lost men, women, boys, and girls in your community will not typically venture into your church. They have no reason to think they?ll find any answers there. They still have a tremendous need to experience the awesome reality of God?s love, but they won?t come begging.

Status-quo ministry says ?open the doors and they?ll come.? That might have worked in the past, but it long ago lost its effectiveness. We can no longer just schedule church services and programs and wait for those who need God to show up. We must find creative ways to engage the nonchurchgoers in our communities. We must take the gospel out of the church and to the people. We must become entrepreneurs as we practice our faith. If we refuse to take this step, we run the very real risk of losing literally millions around us who desperately need and want to experience the love of God and who live right in our neighborhoods. Whether you are a pastor, an involved layperson, or a businessperson concerned about the needs in your community, it?s time to start dreaming about how God can use you in new ways. Ways that may be scary at times, but adventures that will be exciting as well."

Are you up for the risk? Are you in for the ride of your life? I'll close with the words of Steven Curtis Chapman from his popular song "The Great Adventure":

Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure!

Have a great week in ministry!

Todd

This post has been viewed 611 times so far.

TRACKBACKS: (0) There are 24 Comments:

Posted by Minister Nevada Smith

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 12:04 AM

you’ll never know what reading this has done for me! And i can’t seem to say thank you because I know without a shadow of a doubt that it wouldn’t be enough!
so I’ll just say may God richest and most wonderful blessings find you and overtake you!
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:05 AM

I am glad to know that others have the same vision as I do. I have tried to get this thought across to the church I am a member at but the church is “doing church” and unable to change and adapt to the needs of others. I pray that I and others will never stop taking the risk to further His Kingdom!
Tim
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:06 AM

I can’t tahnk you enough for this article. I have seen God working in the ministry that He has placed me in but sometimes it feels as if you are out there all alone. Thanks for giving me a little bit of meat on a Monday morning!
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:10 AM

Thanks so much. Our church went from a tiny store building where we had no room for a feeding ministry, or even Sunday School rooms.I could not believe that anyone would not want to move to a larger building so our outreach could continue. Many did not want to go. The church suffered loss but new people began coming as we reached out.
7 months and the LORD is blessing. We now have room for a Youth rally, that meets each Saturday and our large feeding program begins this month with a new kitchen!
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:50 AM

My wife and I made the ministry decision years ago that we would not be content with the status-quo. As a result we have seen God do some wonderful things in our ministries. Friends said, what are you doing? We said, “following God’s will for our lives.” And so we struck out to follow the Spirit and live the life God has called us to! Failure? The only Failure I can imagine is not doing what God wants. We refuse to coast and we have never had a need that God has not met.

Believe Him and Live for Him and take no prisoners! God will bless you in ways you never could have imagined.

Blessings,
Pastor Al

http://www.sonrisedevotions.com
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 10:00 AM

Without trying to sound like a mere echo, I totally believe what you are saying is true. We need to be creative in how we reach the lost. However, what we are striving for through creativity isn’t new a new concept ie. tent revivals, and televangelist. The concept is the same only the method has changed. The key to reaching them is realizing they are there. I live in a rural community and from what I can tell, there seems to be a constant struggle with the same problem. There are plenty of churches in my town of 18,000 and we post signs that can be seen as you leave the town that say, “Jesus is Lord.” However this community struggles immensely with genuine love for others. Sure People are friendly and on a surface level even compassionate. But ask them to stand up for what is right if it means hurting a lifelong friend or loved one and they cave immediately. You see, somehow in the translation of small town community culture, family and friends supercede God’s principles of right and wrong. It’s an eppidemic that encroaches everything from visitors to church unity. Because if this great battle I’ve seen several Pastors crumble and bow to its authority. My heart is very sad when I think of all the people our churches could be helping instead of hurting if we could only break this town wide problem. I feel what is happening hear could be happening at other places as well. My request no my petition is that we as a collective body of leaders ask God to give us boldness to do what is right and not bow to complacency.
As leaders we must reach out and look beyond our walls and see what God sees. We should never give up trying to reach them even if they reject our efforts. It’s a two fold problem, one we are so consumed with dealing with what is inside our walls that we forget what is out side of them. Second, for fear of failure and rejection we choose to ignore them. The stranger and his/her spiritual problems challenge us. We are so busy saying we can’t change them and their problems that we just choose not to even try. Everyone has heard about the church that got the lost to come in and was unseccessful in changing them. We shouldn’t let failure determine our path. We can only lead them to the water we cannot make them drink. May we stay encouraged and never give up.
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:07 AM

We must give serious thought to our ways as Ministers of the gospel. We have lost sight of a foundamental truth. Jesus gave His life for this dying world. Can we give any less? Missions is the very heart of the gospel. being saved means being sent.
The nations are perishing without hope. Our time is running out. We must reach these preicious people before it is too late. If we don’t give or go, who will?

This is the word of the Lord:
“Consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father’s house.... Go in into all the world (your community) and preach the good news to all creation.... Go and make disciples of all the nations..(Your community). As the father has sent Me, I am sending you… Go! I am sendinng you.”
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:14 AM

You know the sad part about this article is that the pastors think this is new.

Jesus commanded us to “Go and preach the Gospel to all nations.”

He never wanted the Gospel to be stagnant. Church folk have become content to just come to church and feed like swine and then do nothing with what they’ve learned.

That is if they have learned anything at all!

What these pastors are suggesting was commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.

The church has been so pre-occupied with their own agendas that they have forgotten that God is in the soul-winning business.

We have turned the Gospel into a self-help program for Christians and not a spiritual balm for the sick.

Trust me when I tell you this, there is nothing new man can come up with that can supersede what the same Gospel Paul preached can do.

We don’t need to re-invent the wheel. We just need to get the wheel rolling!

God Bless!!!
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:28 AM

We are at home in a fallen world. Many of us have gone years without leading any of our friend or neighbors to the lord. Yet god"has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation” ( Cor. 5:19). We have fallen short! We work side by side with people who are perishing. But we are too much like them to change them. What would we be changing them to? If some of us confronted them with their sins, we would end up condemning ourselves! We need a rude Awakening. May the Lord convict our hearts.
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:35 AM

What a blessing - to hear your thoughts on this subject this morning. I am out there just trying to make sense of my own life & ministry in this very context you talk about. For some years now I have been trying to figure out what the “organized church” is doing? Pastors and church leadership are very afraid to step out into the unknown, it’s ridiculous. I don’t see many churches or members, for that fact, that can get by their own “legalistic” doctrine & traditions of men - to allow for the “freedom” to live as Christ would have us live. The “free” expression of one’s faith is rare. When one wants to be involved in a church body - to use their gifts & talents, as God would have them do - it is difficult to wade through the pretensive and presumptive attitudes of the establishment protocol. Usually, there is a “screening process” which determines whether one “fits” into the kingdom - their kingdom, not God’s! Desire to serve God is not enough - credentials must be in place. My question is - When did the church become so perfect? I’ve recently read a book by Harold Camping of Family Life Radio, and he says to “leave the church” for the church age is over. Go out into the highways and bi-ways to reach them for Christ. He may just be right. Whatever, I agree, we need to change our way of thinking of how we do ministry in reaching the lost. I’ve been doing some “different” things these past 7 years, and I’ve not been accepted by the “establishement”. I wonder if Jesus was?
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 12:26 PM

I am glad there others who feel what I feel. Unlike most of you I not a pastor. Although I could see that in my future, I am called as a music minister to reach whoever I can through any means necessary. Having a father as a pastor, I have been in church all of my life. My experiences have been very difficult and I have seen all to often at various churches I have attend and helped in ministry fall short of accomplishing the message of the Gospel. I am not negating the fact that we need to preach the Gospel on the mission field however I feel a huge hole that is the church of America. I have seen churches give generously to missions and totally forget their own neighborhoods. I am not certain all that I will be a part of in my life regarding ministry, but this one thing I desire above everything is that I have lost souls as my goal. I agree with Rev. Ralph. As leaders We are avoinding this issue because it is us that stand in the need of prayer. We have fed the sheep junk food or allowed them to feed themselves. If we as leaders ask God to challenge us He will place a burden for our cities and towns. I long for the days where I can see a church so hungry for lost souls that entire cities are won for the Glory of God. Brothers and Sisters let us not grow weary for our comments do not fall on deaf ears. God is moving. Get ready. I believe He is sending men and women just like you and me who carry the Heart of God with us. He is preparing us for the Great Commission. One thing I have learned in the small time of 26 years on this earth is that God made me unique for His purpose. Many of you right now are wondering if your passion and burden will be mistaken for self righteousness. Be aware that when you come against the “establishment” people will always look to judge and wish you to fail. Don’t get your eyes off the prize. Only wish for those comforting words so eloquently sated by Paul, “I have run the race and finished the fight”. Don’t get discouraged. Believe and you will achieve. If you must make a stand make sure it is for the right. God weighs the motives of man and knows when we are sincere. Stay encouraged.
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 1:24 PM

Maybe the reason why the Church is always behind the real NEED of man is that it tries to adapt to its culture too much. i found it interesting that this whole thing was sparked by an animated movie instead of a prayful reading of Scripture under the guidance of the orthodox church of the past. Maybe the Scripture already contains everything we NEED for life and godliness. Perhaps doing the same old thing like folloiwng cultural trends needs to be abandoned (WOW that would be the real risk!) and instead the orthodoxy of preaching and teaching solid sound doctrine from the Bible could be the “new” thing we start to practice?
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 2:48 PM

I have read all the posts today. This has been informative, eye opening, convicting, made me happy and sad. Just in the posts you can see the diversity of thought and practice. Just a thought, whether we all are led in the same direction or not by our Lord and Saviour, one fact remains true. We are to minister to All people. Whether, they are at church or in our communities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone who professed to be a christian stopped and was a reflection of Christ to 10 people daily. Just 10, at work, at church, at home or on the bus. Just show them Christ in their lives. Following Christ means following His example for us. He met people where they were at. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Posted by bernie dehler

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 6:06 PM

Yes, we need to reach out and not be willing to fail. As our Lord said:

John 12:25
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

One of the most life-changing books for me, that I’ve been reading lately, is Brother Andrew’s “Lightforce.” It’s a great role-model for us.

...Bernie
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/247
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 9:42 PM

This reading was perfect timing for me...I am about to resign from my current job to return to full ministry. I am an ordained minister, Board Certified Chaplain looking for full time ministry... It is a big risk but reading this was very encouraging...Thank you…
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 10:09 PM

Thank you so much for this article. I am serving witha pastor who is waiting to retire but won’t retire. He thinks that if people would get right with God they would be at church every time we open our doors. The biggest problem is he is preaching to the choir because we arn’t reaching any body in our community. We are just keepin the ones who have grown up in the church busy with churchy things. Thank you again for your article.
Posted by

Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11:08 PM

The article stated “So why is it as pastors and church leaders, we fear failure so much? Why is it that so many churches and pastors hardly ever take risks? Why is the state of today’s church in many communities is just more of the same old, same old? Why do we settle for maintaining the status quo?”

There is a deep cry within the body of Christ that is beginning to surface as we near the day of the rapture. That cry is beginning to be heard by pastors and Christians as the Holy Spirit convicts them of their lukewarmness. We wonder why we never take risks and the answer is the same for what causes that deep cry within us, as our spirit man crys out “there has to be more to Christianity than what I am experiencing!”

The answer is that we have failed to develop a deep personal relationship with the Father that changes us to be able to trust God completely. We no longer fast and pray as a matter of LIFE STYLE, but only do so as a second thought instead of realizing this is our primary source for Holy Ghost power that gives us the courage we need to do God’s will. Without fellowship of the divine nature, we will never be able to trust God fully. Reader read carefully this next sentence and understand fully its meaning. We must learn to approach our heavenly Father as a child. Once we do this, we will have the fellowship our inner spirit hungers for the presence of our Father. Just like a child that pesters their parents continually until they get their parents attention so must we go before the Father in Jesus name with a determined purpose not to be denied his presence. It is with the heart of a child and the faith of a child that we enter into the presence of God.

Yes there is a price to pay but once you fellowship with God the price becomes so insignificant compared to the presence of our Heavenly Father. We are not of this world we are here to train for the coming eternal kingdom of our Christ in which we will rule as sons of the Most High God. We are to be light in this present darkness and salt for this nation that needs moral absolutes found only in the Word of God the Bible. If we fail to hear this call many will die without being saved and we shall go before the judgement seat of Christ and try to explain our cowardliness. Jeremiah saw in his day a back slidden people. It may be time to speak these words again in the midst of our congregations.

Jeremiah 8:20
The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. 21For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. 22Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Let us awaken to this great call and put our trust in God who is sovereign our all the affairs of man. What can man do to us if we are only passing through?

God Bless you my brothers.
Posted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 12:19 AM

It is very sad to know today that churches looked at something else other then preaching to win the lost at all cost. This is what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19.."GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL THE NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,...this is what Christ’s followered should be doing but instay churches are focussing on big church buildings and classic church. I pray that God will help us christian to live up to our expectations. Pastor, church leaders are so pre-occupy with achiving their own goals other then achiving God’s goal [that is soul winning]. As a result we will not be able to see what God want us to see or do.

All you need is go, take the risk believing God to help you out.
I closed by asking you who is reading this comment, would you let Jesus down?
Posted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 2:54 AM

It is the churches job to beget Christ not to beget something else. When Jesus is with you the work is good and the fruit is good. Jesus Christ is the unity of the brethren and the measure is the cross. We dwell in Him and He is the head. It is not mutual submission Bernie Dehler (regarding your website talk). Christ is the model to which the church conforms:

“All things work together for the good to them that love God. To them that are called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow He also did predestinate to be conformed into the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28,29

Remember the marriage is the reflection of this:

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:31,32

I have been preaching in the highways and hedges for over five years. I am not a member of the incorporated church. I am a member of Christ and I belong to Him. I am witnessing miracles of changed lives everyday and it is because Jesus is with me. The fruit just falls off the tree now. I have a wife that is full of the loving kindness of the Lord. When I come home there is no bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor or evil speaking. It is loving kindness 99% of the time. This is a miracle if you consider the devil of a person I was before Christ.

The reason I am sharing this is because I am like the lepers who found the loot outside of Jerusalem’s walls. For those who are struggling with marriages let God be your marriage counselor and obey the Holy Scriptures. The problem is sin. The answer is Jesus Christ. And if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Remove the leaven of wicked believers (1 Corintheans 5) this was the break through for us.

I am like Rehab the harlot: who confessed her sins and layed her life down with Christ to save the messengers and God made her a queen in the royal line of the King of Kings and she had Boaz which down the line brought forth David which down the line brought forth Christ.

I have not went to jail, or had my possessions taken away, or been beaten for Christ and neither has any of the fruit that has come forth. We have not been found worthy at this point, but watching peoples lives change from pagans to being in love with Jesus is a real blessing.

Praise The Lord!
Posted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 1:04 PM

This conversation goes on all the time…I am a community pastor and doing what we are talking about in today’s post. Unfortunately I have seen way to many places that do not want to become this type of church nor do they want to see their pastor move in this direction.

I would be interested to know who is doing this type of stuff and who you are…e-mail me…we are doing it and I need to learn from you…

We have twenty five entry points with close to three hundred people in our department ministering to the community…I want to learn from others on doing this…
Posted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 1:35 PM

Thankyou. Your article has delivered me from a chronic spiritual problem-the fear of failure.Iam not longer afraid of failure because no man has ever got it right for the first time.
Posted by

Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 1:53 PM

This page was introduced to me today by my pastor, and I am curious to know what actions (and results) in line with this article have been attempted in churches like mine, i.e. small (<50 members), long-established (for generations) and rural (local population here is maybe 1000). What has been your experience?
Posted by Michelle

Monday, December 05, 2005 at 6:41 PM

I just came across this today! Thank you Todd for your words of insight. Yes- we must actually step out of the boat if we want to walk on water!

I also wanted to thank you for quoting John Mason. I work at his ministry. Our hope is to always make an impact!

God bless
Posted by

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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.