Introduction: Story of church council.

Pastor Rick Warren wrote this hypothetical illustration of a church meeting:

Steve Johnson called the monthly church council meeting of Westside Church to order at exactly 7 p.m. "We've got a lot to cover tonight folks, so we'd better get started,' said Steve. "As you know, our agenda is to agree on a unified church program for the new year. We're supposed to present it to the congregation in two weeks."

As chairman, Steve was feeling quite anxious over what happened. Only the annual budget meeting provoked more disagreement and debate than this program-planning meeting. "Who wants to go first, asked Steve.

"This ought to be easy," said Ben Faithful, a deacon who'd been a member for twenty-six years. "Last year was a good year. Let's just repeat all the good things we did last year. I've always believed that the tried and true is better than a lot of newfangled ideas."

"Well, I'd have to disagree with that," said Bob Newman. Times have changed, and I think we need to reevaluate everything we're doing. Just because a program worked in the past doesn't automatically mean it's going to continue working next year. I'm especially interested in starting another worship service with a different style. We've all seen the growth that Calvary Church has had since they started a contemporary service to reach out to the unchurched."

"Yes. some churches will do anything to get a crowd," replied Ben. "they forget who the church is for: It's for us Christians! We're supposed to be different and separate from the world. We're not to pander to whatever the world wants. I sure don't intend to see that happen at Westside!"

Over the next two hours a worthy list of programs and causes was presented for inclusion in the church calendar. Karen Doer passionately insisted that Westside Church take a more active role in Operation Rescue and the pro-life movement. John Manly gave a moving testimony about how Promise Keepers had changed his life and suggested a full slate of men's activities. Linda Loving spoke of the need to develop various support groups. Bob Learner made his usual pitch for the church to begin a Christian school. And of course, Jerry Tightwad kept asking, "How much will it cost?" as each proposal was presented. They were all valid suggestions. The problem was there seemed to be no standard of reference by which the council could evaluate and decide which programs would be adopted.

Finally Clark Reasoner spoke up. Clark was the voice everyone was waiting for at this point. Whenever issues became confused at church business meetings, he'd usually make a short speech, and a majority would vote his way. It wasn't that his ideas were better; in fact people often disagreed with him But the sheer force of his personality made whatever he said seem sensible at the time.

We might ask what is wrong with this scenario that Pastor Warren has presented? There are multiple driving forces competing for attention in the church, resulting in conflict as they try to head in several different directions at the same time. Some of the issues and the names may be different at Adel United Methodist Church, but I want to ask, "What is our driving force?

How would you define drive? The dictionary says, "to guide, control, or direct." We probably think more of driving when it comes to cars, nails, and golf balls than the local church. I believe that each church is driven by some force or combination of forces. This driving force may be unspoken, unofficial, and unknown to many, but it influences the operation of the church. What do you think is the driving force of our Adel United Methodist Church?

For a few more minutes this morning I would like to briefly mention a few driving forces that are typical in churches today. I believe there is a place for all these considerations in the ministries of the local church, but what part should they play?

I. The Driving Force of Tradition

I am grateful to God for the tradition of this church and the tradition of our denomination, but if we are to continue to faithfully serve God I do not believe that tradition is a sufficient driving force.

In the church driven church the goal is merely to perpetuate the past and look at any change as negative. I believe that two phrases often characterize the church driven by tradition, "We've always done it this way." and what Ralph Neighbor calls the seven last words of the church, "We've never done it that way before.

II. The Driving Force of Personality

Rick Warren says, "In this church the most important question is, "What does the leader want?"

The driving personality may be a pastor or a key lay person or two. While it is helpful to have leadership that is trusted by the congregation they need to be careful about whose agendas and needs are being met. I believe that God often uses lay and pastoral leaders with strength to accomplish much worthwhile ministry. Of course the personality driven church may face some struggles when their driving personality dies or leaves.

III. The Driving Force of Finances

In the story from Westside Church, Jerry Tightwad kept asking, "How much will it cost?" This is not a bad question to ask as responsible stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. A healthy church needs good stewardship and funds to do ministry, but should finances be the controlling issue?

Does the church exist to make a profit? No, the church is called to be a people of faith asking disciples. We should ask, "Who came to new faith in Christ? How are people in our congregation growing in their personal relationship to Jesus Christ?

IV. The Driving Force of Programs

Some of the churches we can think of may be known for their marvelous music program, their top notch Sunday School, their fine women's program, their bus outreach, their exciting youth program, etc. It is possible that some of these churches may be program driven. They may focus all of their energy on developing, maintaining, and sustaining these programs. It is possible that they may continue programs that have worked well in the past without asking whether it still works and is what God wants them to do?

V. The Driving Force of Buildings

Building, paying for, and maintaining buildings can become a huge budget item, sometimes causing a congregation to spend more than they can afford to have nice facilities. I read an interesting statement by Winston Churchill, "We shape our buildings, and then they shape us." That can certainly happen in the local church regardless of its size. The size and scope of a church's ministries should not be limited to their buildings.

VI. The Driving Force of Events

In a church where the driving force is events, we could get the idea from looking at their church calendar, that the goal is to keep people busy. Few days or nights are free on the church calendar. They move along from one event to another, often without asking "Why are we doing this?" What is the purpose for this activity?"

VII. The Driving Force of Seekers

In recent years we have heard more and more of seeker churches. They ask a good question? "What do the unchurched of our area want and need? With the plan of reaching unbelievers for Jesus Christ and being relevant in their culture, some churches let the needs of the seekers to become the driving force. Yes, we should be sensitive to the needs, interests, hurts of seeker, but doing so should not become the total agenda of the church.

Evangelism, making and nurturing disciples, is certainly included in God's purpose for our churches. Being seeker sensitive should not be the same as being seeker driven.

VIII.The Driving Force of Purpose

What drives our church? The Driving Force of Tradition, of Personalty, of Finances, of Programs, of Buildings, of Events, of Seekers? Perhaps we can see benefits and liabilities from all of these. I do. If this is the case we can certainly continue to do good things for God, but are they God's best?

I believe that the driving force, influenced by these other factors should be purpose, God's purpose that becomes our purpose. In Proverbs 19:21 we read: "We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God's purpose prevails." I do not think that this verse is telling us that it is wrong to use the intelligence God gives us and brainstorm options and plans within the church. But, do we do that in the light of the teaching of the Scripture, with the intent of truly fulfilling God's purposes? I need to keep asking myself if I am controlled by God's Spirit or doing something good that I think ought to be done.

In the days ahead I want to address this perspective and process for fulfilling the purposes of the church in some detail. Recall that Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth about what would prevail. "The fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward." A few verse earlier Paul had said, "But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 3:13,14,& 10,11.

Conclusion:

God's purposes will last. Let's purpose to do God's purposes and build a healthy church on purpose.

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