Mold Proof
“Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.”- 1 Corinthians 5:7
One of my most pivotal moments as a pastor and leader took place in 2018. A friend invited me to participate in a pastors coaching group cohort for a year to learn, grow, and network. My initial, internal reaction was “No way Jose!” This negative reaction could be easily justified. The group was made up of mostly of pastors just starting churches, it was taking place on my day off, and most of all I was dealing with some discouragement and insecurity. The last place I wanted to be was hearing others share success stories and weekly church attendance numbers. All my misgivings and excuses gave way when the Holy Spirit chimed in.
As I was wrestling with whether to join the group (and preparing a built-in excuse to give my friend), I distinctly and directly heard the following question from the Holy Spirit, “Do you want to be moldy or moldable?” I immediately shifted from doing everything to avoid this gathering to shifting around my schedule to make it an absolute priority. This question from the Lord could not have been clearer to my spirit. I was being given the choice of staying in an old and decaying state or allowing my heart, leadership skills, and life purpose to be shaped and strengthened. In Isaiah 64:8 the prophet declares, “Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”
The course content, discussion times, and resources provided brought wonderful results. Amazing friendships were established, and I received fresh focus in leading our church. The MOMENTUM GROUP (name of course) was a catalyst in our implementing changes to the website, focusing on newcomers/guests, having clear structure/goals for our weekly services, and developing a much-needed, long-overdue assimilation/discipleship class called Faith App* (*which begins on September 24th). By choosing to be moldable, I received something which is still producing profitable results in our church!
You may be thinking, “How does this story apply to me? I am not a leader!” Let me change your outlook, just as the Holy Spirit did for me back in 2018. YOU ARE A LEADER! Some lead their families and homes; others have a leadership role in their company/workplace; people may look to you when it comes to needing counsel and prayer; you may be serving as a volunteer that brings value to folks; we all have skills, gifts, and experiences that can help others. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:6, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Let’s allow God’s Spirit to shape us! Let’s keep growing in His grace and our gifts! Let’s move forward with fruitful results!