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My peer group

I dont know how Pastors survive without a peer group. My bunch of mates are great...if ever I was in real trouble in ministry, I know these guys would help. Its pretty organic. Some months someone brings something to discuss. Its good, causal, prayerful and honest.
This is what we looked at today.

The title of this article is a little deceptive....just read it before judging it.

Bring Back Personality Driven Churches
By Dave Gilpin
Learn how to master the art of Culture Creation for growth in your church. After almost 20 years in full time ministry, Dave Gilpin gets angry at the colour that dominates the Christian sky-line...'beige'.
After almost 20 years in full time ministry, Dave Gilpin gets angry at the colour that dominates the Christian sky-line...'beige'.
There is a divine spark inside each of us! Don't quote me on this - it's a quote from 'Bruce Almighty'. Bruce had just spent a disastrous time of his life trying to be what he wasn't. Bruce (played by Jim Carey) was 'called' to be the 'light entertainment' correspondent of the nightly newscast, yet in his insecurity, wanted to be seen in a more serious light.
His quest for anchorman led to horrible consequences for the entire world! God (played by Morgan Freeman) had a heart to heart with Bruce and revealed to him that deep within him lay a divine spark. Bruce's was to bring laughter and happiness to the world. He 'saw the light' and set about to be himself - content, funny and furious!
If Abba reunited, they'd make trillions, yet Bjorn Again, the Aussie Abba tribute band, sing better, play better and look younger . yet only make thousands. Why is that? It's the power of originality.
It's the same for you and your church. Why would the devil spend time undermining your incredible God given gift of personality? Why do we admonish a 'cell driven' church, a 'purpose driven' church, a 'passionately driven' church, yet vilify a 'personality driven' church? Why is a church allowed to be led by strong leadership but not strong charisma? Who made charisma so superficial and so 'American'? Is there a power at work to weaken the power that's generated where originality abounds? (Please switch on the Jaws theme tune now!)
The funny thing about ministers is that they often change personalities upon entering the pulpit. It's a strange morphing that I've been guilty of many times over. What results is a pale imitation of someone else's divine spark.
So much of our life owes its power to the power of originality. Take faith for example. Faith comes by an original word from God. You can't just repeat a verse from the Bible and then try to believe it. Either you believe it or you don't believe it. You can't make it up. When God speaks, faith is ignited. It's not borrowed faith nor humanly generated. It doesn't come through the laying on of hands. It comes via the power of originality ignited. It's not borrowed faith nor humanly generated. It doesn't come through the laying on of hands. It comes via the power of originality.
The gifts of the Spirit also operate on the strength of originality. They express themselves with unique words for a unique season and plan. And they do it through personality. It's also a funny thing to see what happens when many people prophesy. Their voice changes, their manner changes and for whatever intents and purposes, they become a 'different' person. Who devalued and disfigured the vessel through which the gifts would operate?


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1 comments:

  Gareth Williams

7:09 pm

Glad you've got this group.
Good article. I'm all for championing people being who they are. I know too often I've tried to be someone else and it hasn't worked.
I heard a sermon once where they spoke about David vs Goliath. Saul offered David his armour but he was too small, but was able to defeat Goliath his own way.
Only one person could fit Saul's armour-Saul.
Only one person can fit Mark E's armour.

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