I was training leaders in Europe when I mentioned the need to make a clear plan to guide small group processes. Since small groups are one of the favorite ways for a church to do Discipleship Training, it is important to have a plan to make sure we are educating and equipping people in the key dimensions of Christianity.
Some of the leaders were agast. They murmured and looked down, breaking eye contact with me. I said, what is the problem? You all seem to be upset with my statement. One of the Pastors said, "We don't believe in quenching the Holy Spirit with planning. We want our people to just trust the Lord and encourage everyone to hear God."
Now it was my turn to be a bit taken aback. It is hard to read and believe the Bible and not think planning is important. Yet, this group seemed to think leadership, planning and organization were sinfully quenching the Holy Spirit.
Failing to plan is planning to fail
Groups and churches that encourage everyone to talk, pray, teach and share at any time about any topic is inviting the least mature and most emotionally explosive members to dominate and run the mature and dedicated people out of the group/church.
Wherever I have trained and taught on small groups the number one cause of group dysfunction and lack of attendance is letting anyone and everyone try to take charge. Controlling mentally and emotionally volatile members is not quenching the Holy Spirit but it is quenching the fleshly spirits.
Read I Corinthians 14: All of you are zealous to use your gifts, but you must seek to build up the congregation! Verse 12.
When you come together and each one has a song, a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue or interpretation. Make sure it is all done to build up the church.V 26.
Leaders plan so the church is built up not torn down.
Gary Sweeten
Follow us by clicking the easy button
See my book Healing Souls, Touching Hearts
No comments:
Post a Comment