Reflections
Rev. Philip R. Harrison, Assistant District Superintendent
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,
Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers
on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready
for him…”
(Luke 9:51-52, NIV)
Ever aware of His mission, Jesus “resolutely set out for
Jerusalem.” He allowed nothing to dissuade or distract Him
from reaching His goal, the salvation of our souls!
At the beginning of a new year, we have the opportunity to look
forward: to hope and to dream of what God wants to accomplish
through us. What is the destination which God has placed on
your heart for 2008 and beyond?
Last year, I arranged for a guest instructor to meet with a
group of church leaders. I e-mailed detailed instructions on
how to find the meeting place. However, he ended up
approaching from a different direction and experienced no
problems because his rental car had a GPS mapping device that
led him directly to the proper designation!
Using satellite triangulation technology, GPS devices pinpoint
the user’s current location with amazing accuracy! Before we
plan a trip, we must know where we are on the map. In planning
our direction as a church, we might name our current location
as “reality.” We must recognize or understand where we are on
our journey as a church (or as a believer) before we can know
how to reach our goal or destination. Pastors play a key role
in helping church leaders “define reality.”
The amazing GPS technology can tell you where you are, but it
can’t give you directions unless you plug in your destination.
As a church, we must seek God’s will as to where He would have
us go. What is God’s “preferred future” for your church?
Once the destination is entered, the GPS device uses mapping
software to “calculate” a successful route to get you where you
want to go. Without this software, the device can only tell
you where you are. It cannot give you direction. In the
church, we must “define reality,” discover God’s “preferred
future” and then plan our strategy for the journey. “Strategic
thinking” is essential as we follow God’s voice to the
“promised land.”
Some GPS devices allow the user to select the type of route
they desire to follow such as shortest, quickest or scenic. In
giving this input, the user is telling the device what is
important or of value to him/her. Values are critical to our
strategic plans in the church. They are the road signs that
keep us safe and help us make the necessary mid-course
corrections on our journey.
As a district we are committed to developing Christ-like
Servant Leaders and Healthy Christ-centered Churches. One of
the key strategies we are using to accomplish our goals is the
Issachar coaching cluster. Thirty-seven official workers are
already involved in the clusters with plans to multiply
additional clusters in the Fall.
Along our journey, we are keeping watch for the road signs
(district core values):
· Lost people matter to God! Our mission is to find them.
· Prayer is vital for Christian life and service. Our priority
is to seek first His Kingdom in prayer.
· Everything we have belongs to God. Our responsibility is to be
wise stewards.
· God wants His people to become His fully devoted followers.
Our devotion expresses itself through love for God and love for
others.
· Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Our planning
and practice take God-pleasing risks.
· Social justice is a passion of God. Our faith champions
justice for all.
May the Lord Jesus bless you and your congregation as you move
forward for God!
