Can We Really Change the World?

Last week during my vacation, as I read the hotel-provided issue of USA TODAY (3-14-11), I read an article entitled "America's churches can help change the world."  I found it to be an interesting and compelling treatment of the role the church and religious leaders have historically played in being "prophetic" and transformational agents (sometimes negatively and sometimes positively).  Additionally, the need and the urgency for us to step up to the plate today in a world of turmoil and change is recognized.  In church circles, we often talk about "changing the world."  Sometimes that becomes cliche.  However, it is interesting when a secular newspaper says to the church and religious leaders, "C'mon, it's up to you to do something for the moral well-being of our world!"

You can read the article yourself here:

America's churches can help change the world

As we continue in our forty days of prayer "Seek God for the City" and we pray for the world, one country at a time, we need to have the conviction that we can actually make a difference!  As the people of God, we can be transformational agents in our city, our nation and in the world.  We don't do this on our own strength and wisdom but God does it through us.  We are his ambassadors!

When Pastor Rick Warren introduced his P.E.A.C.E. plan (http://thepeaceplan.com/), he argued that the church (not one local expression but the body of Christ globally) is the best agency, above governments and business, for addressing the world's largest problems.  In my opinion, one of the reasons we are not making a difference at that scale is that we really don't believe that we can.  I also believe another reason we fail in being global transformational agents is our preoccupation with internal affairs.  We are looking through a microscope when we should be using a telescope.

I believe that our God can use Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen, Texas to be a local and global change agent.  Calvary has already done so but the potential is so much greater.  For this to happen at a greater scale than ever before, there are certain necessary ingredients:

• a complete dependance on the Holy Spirit through constant fervent prayer;
• a clear sense of who we are and what we are about;
• a increasing vision of God's kingdom in the world;
• an intentional plan to partner with other churches, agencies and movements in prayer and work

None of these have magic or instant formulas.  They each involve a process of growth and development over time.  But we have to start somewhere.  Below I list some of the steps that we are taking in that direction.

1. Our forty days of prayer "Seek God for the City" have the intent of emphasizing our dependence on the Holy Spirit and the need for constant spiritual preparation for our mission as a church.  The themes and topics of our prayer guide are also intended to broaden our vision as a church as we pray for our city and our world.  I hope that this kind of thing does not end after the forty days but it becomes part of who we are as a congregation.
2. Our pastoral staff has been working on refining our strategy focus for a couple of months now.  In addition to our regular staff meetings, the staff is having extended day-long meetings and is planning a spring retreat.  Furthermore, we have calendared another leadership lab for key Calvary leaders on May 1 and a possible follow up on May 22 where we can get input from each.
3. In light of the financial situation in our area, and particularly in our church, the personnel committee has asked that I evaluate our current staff structure and recommend changes that are conducive to greater efficiency.  The stewardship and missions committee have endorsed that request and have expressed concerned about finding ways to reduce budget expenses.  In the next several weeks I will be working to identify areas where we can be more efficient as a church.
4. Given the above three steps, I expect that by the fall of this year there will be some ministry and program adjustments in our week-to-week operations.  I do not foresee major changes or a rebranding of our church.  However, I do see the need to refine what we are doing so that we can be a more effective disciple-making missional church.
5. We are looking at the possibilities of several strategic partnerships locally and globally also.  These should be in development and implementation by the second part of this year and the beginning of 2012, Lord willing.

These small steps, I believe, get us closer to positioning ourselves where God can use us in a bigger and greater way as transformational agents in the world.

Your role as a leader is crucial.  Pray, participate and believe God!  I know I am!