Perry Noble has an AMAZING post about Taking a Risk VS Playing It Safe.
A few notable quotes:
When a church first begins taking risks is easy…there’s nothing to lose. BUT…when momentum gets going, people are showing up and budgets are being met…well…all too often the focus goes from risk taking to people pleasing (which NEVER ENDS well!)
The church was NOT called to play defense…we play offense…we don’t run from the gates of hell..we freakin’ kick them down! We are not called to see how many we can KEEP every Sunday…but how many we can REACH!
StonePoint is a church plant. We’re 2 years old, and we’re starting wain in attendance and giving. We’re beginning to have conversations about lost momentum. How do we get it back and how do we lead through this time of adversity?
Are we scared? Wouldn’t YOU be? Go without a pay check for a pay period, or two…would YOU be scared?
But we also have realized that great reward ONLY comes from great risk. We believe that we are called to rob Hell of people who live in Coweta County. And to do that, we have to risk EVERYTHING: our livelihoods, our security, and our reputations. It’s all on the line. The rewards: people actively, passionately serving and loving God, and a growing healthy church, are ONLY possible through Jesus Christ, and GREAT SACRIFICE.
I agree with Perry,
We’re THE CHURCH–we have been given the GREATEST MESSAGE EVER…we have the POWER OF THE LIVING GOD…we have the DIRECTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…and GOD IS NOT LIMITED BY PERSONAL or RESOURCES!!!
Am I scared? Yes. Does God HAVE to show up and DO something? Yes. Do I have ANY guarantees that I will succeed? NOPE, not a one. DO I have a choice? Yes, I can walk away ANY TIME I want. Would I be miserable if I did? Yes. I have a call by God. I KNOW God has called me, Scott, Kelly, and SID. I cannot think of anything else in my life WORTH investing the time, energy, sweat, tears, and prayer. It’s going to require more than I currently have. It’s going to require the greatest sacrifices. Sacrifices even larger than the ones I can imagine. For God to be the God of Newnan, GA, I have to risk it all, I am risking everything… What are YOU risking?
