5 Markers of Church Progress
July 1, 2000
What had God accomplished in our church? I didn't really know until I ran out of gas on the interstate one day. My fuel gauge read full, but, in reality, it was empty. I didn't have a clue where I was. So, I got out of my van and walked to the nearest mile-marker. I noted the number on the post and turned around with a sense of hope. I didn't know where I was, but I had a reference point. I wasn't really lost. I was now able to phone for help with the assurance I would be rescued! Suddenly I appreciated how important mile-markers are. Even when we're not stranded, mile-markers are helpful indicators of direction and reminders that we're making progress. Sometimes in ministry, we need mile-markers to let us know what kind of progress we're making. I began looking for mile-markers in our church's ministry. No markers on a merry-go-round
No one intentionally decides to become the pastor of a dying church. Any church can be difficult to pastor, but who wants to be known as the funeral director on retainer? When I arrived at Jersey Shore Church of God, the congregation's morale was at an all-time low. They had been through some grave times, including two splits, and were facing a long road to recovery. I was just 27 years old, and all I could do was keep asking, "God, what am I doing here?" That was 12 years ago. In one of my many tough seasons, I complained about all of the things that were wrong with the church. I'll never forget the words of my dad. He just looked at me and said, "Drew, a small church deserves a quality ministry as much as a large church." In other words, stop complaining and do something positive! A church transitioning from death to life will always be in a state of change, but the key is to get off the merry-go-round ...
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