By Richard Chin (AFES)
GROWING A CULTURE THAT SERVES GOD’S STRATEGY
Here’s a corny (but memorable!) acronym to create culture: MAPSss
1. Modelling Gospel Flexibility
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Cor 10:31—11:1)
As Paul seeks “the salvation of many” (1Cor 10:33), he models a ministry lifestyle of gospel flexibility without ever compromising the gospel itself.
Paul commands us to imitate him.
Are you doing that? Is it reflected in your own prayers, and proclamation? Is it modelled in your hospitality? [3] If you are not modelling such behaviour, how can we expect others to do so?
2. Articulating right belief
Paul gets people on board by continually reminding them of the glory of God’s plan and the strategy for its fulfilment. He changes the cultural appetites of churches by articulating and rearticulating the purpose behind the strategy!
Fruitful gospel ministries constantly articulate their purpose:
· Before every 9 Marks interview, we hear someone say: “ 9 Marks is a ministry dedicated to equipping church leaders with a biblical vision and practical resources for displaying God’s glory to the nations through healthy churches”.
· Over at the Desiring God website, we keep being reminded that: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
TGC US begins its podcasts by stating its purpose to “renew the contemporary church in the ancient gospel of Jesus Christ.”
How do we go when it comes to articulating the foundational aspects of God’s plan and strategy? Does it come through in our prayers? In the talks we give? The newsletters we produce?
Articulated Vision leaks. It needs to be regularly topped up.
3. Prayer
Hopefully, this is a no brainer. But, given the previous point, Can I gently ask if your prayers are aligned with God’s strategy in private and in public?
Do they reflect God’s strategy?
Do they even align with your own mission, values, and vision as understood by everyone in your ministry?
We are people utterly dependent upon God.
Do our prayers reflect that?