Purpose Driven Church Ch20 - God's Purpose for your Church

So we reach the final chapter!

Warren's last word to the church is summed up in those two phrases beloved of motivational speakers - "You can do it", and "It's worth it." But more than that, there's a good nugget for those at Sanctuary (and any other church members reading this - Hi Richard, Jane, Andrew Carolyn and Sarah!).

It is this:

When you plant Chinese bamboo, for at least four or five years nothing seems to happen. You water and fertilize, water and fertilize, water and fertilize, and see no visible evidence that anything is happening. But suddenly over a six week period the tree grows about 90 feet tall!

Warren's point is obvious - Focus on fulfilling the purposes of you church. Keep watering and fertilizing, cultivating, weeding and pruning. God will grow His church to the size He wants it, at the rate that is best for your situation.

You may be required - by God! - to labour for years without visible results. Don't be discouraged.

Warren gives the example of David, whose epitaph is "When David had served God's purposes in his own generation he [died]". Imagine having that inscribed on YOUR tombstone. Leaders who fulfil God's purposes are to be honoured in such a way; it's worth living and dying for.

So how do you measure success? Warren uses a phrase I used to hear a lot in Student Life - "Sharing the Gospel in the Power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God." He adapts it to suit the church context: "Building the church on the purposes of God in the Power of the Holy Spirit and expecting the results from God."

Growing churches have one thing in common - leadership that is not afraid to believe God. Leadership that EXPECTS the congregation to grow (That's a poke in the ribs for Yours Truly!).

Warren finishes with the example of The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37). No matter how dry the Church's bones may seem, God can breathe new life into them again. Well, Sanctuary has had its problems, but it's never been DEAD as such, so that's no problem for God!

I guess a good finishing point is the quote with which Warren closes the book:

"The greatest churches in history are yet to be built. Are you available for that task? I pray that God will use you to fulfill His purposes in your generation. There is no greater use of your life."