Everything wears out over time. Cars, clothes, refrigerators…everything wears
out over time! People physically wear out too, as we all personally know, but
it’s a different type of wearing out. Everything has a life cycle, even
ministries. Organizations and congregations don’t really wear out per se, they
just become irrelevant.
Without thoughtful analysis, honest critique, and new ideas,
great ministries become ineffective over time.
It’s really a simple cycle. Ministries most often start off
frenetically, the result of G-d planting a vision or an opportunity before an
individual, who then over time systematizes that vision or opportunity into a
functioning ministry structure with others to enhance their effectiveness in
fulfilling the vision. But if that individual isn’t hitting the refresh button
(prayerfully, critically and honestly analyzing the ministry to make sure that
it is staying true to the original G-d ordained vision while along the way intentionally
developing and involving new leadership) that ministry will slowly calcify and
become irrelevant, leading to organizational death. This is true of both ministry
organizations and congregations.
G-d doesn’t raise up ministries, he raises up people with
vision, whom he entrusts to fulfill that
vision. Sometimes that vision can be carried by succeeding people for a century
or two, but often it’s just one individual for a few years or decades. When the
individual loses sight of the vision, or is unable to effectively pass on the
vision to others, the ministry dies. Most ministries die because the leader has
lost sight of the vision.
At Devar Emet we are working hard to stay relevant and
effective in the vision G-d has entrusted to us to reach Jewish young adults,
teens and children for Messiah Yeshua. How are you fulfilling the vision G-d
has given to you?
Forward for Messiah,
Kirk Gliebe
Rabbi & Director
Forward for Messiah,
Kirk Gliebe
Rabbi & Director
