People Spots
Online
Produced by James W.
Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants
Provided as a service by New Life Ministries
Attitude
by James W. Moss, Sr.“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV
“I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Proverbs 27:13-14
A person’s or a church’s attitude may be the pinnacle of a great watershed in their achievements or lack of same.
I knew two athletes. One believed he could. He wanted to be at bat when the game was on the line. He wanted the ball hit to him when it counted. He wanted the pass thrown in his direction when a first down was necessary. He believed in his abilities. He achieved a great deal in his athletic career with limited skills. The second athlete was bigger, stronger, and faster. He was plagued by self-doubt. He was never sure he could. He achieved far less. The difference was attitude.
There are two factors in the development of the positive attitude that I am talking about. One is a confidence in the power of God to help us be and do what He wants us to be and do. Second is a confidence in the gifts God has given to us to enable us to achieve what He wants us to accomplish in our lives as his servants. These two factors will enable us to exercise a holy boldness. God knows our capacities. He made us. He never asks us to do what we can’t.
I come rolling into a church and make some suggestions. The pastor says, “We can’t do that,” then gives me 10 reasons why not. I know it won’t get done. That is the way life is. If you believe you can’t, you won’t. In fact, if you believe a goal can’t be achieved, you will never take the first step to achieve it. Try removing “can’t” from your vocabulary.
“The Little Blue Engine pulled up close. She took hold of the train. The toys and dolls climbed back into their cars. At last the Little Blue Engine said, ‘I think I can climb up the mountain. I think I can. I think I can….’ The Little Blue Engine just smiled. But as she puffed down the mountain, the Little Blue Engine seemed to say… ‘I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.’” (From the story of The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper)
Remember, in the church, there is not just the human and material resources to consider. There is a divine presence that makes possible more than we ever dreamed.
The Chinese fortune cookie says, “Life becomes more difficult as you move to the summit.” A small hill can easily be negotiated. The bigger the mountain, the more difficult the climb. It is one thing to see a church progress from 50 to 55. It is a whole different ballgame to see a church progress from 50 to 100. We move into a whole different arena when the church moves from 50 to 200.
Christian leaders who are committed to the Lord, aware of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and confident in their God given gifts and abilities will exude self-confidence. They will believe it can be done. Others will see that positive attitude and be attracted. They will catch the vision and the march is on.
I was talking with a pastor in a major renewal project. The church had slipped into the 30’s. Real concerns among the leaders of the church evolved because they knew their church was in trouble. A new pastor arrived. That pastor felt called of God to accept this ministry. He believed God was present and working through him and the church. He believed God had gifted him to be able to fulfill this assignment. Very simply, the pastor began working with his people. He exuded a God-given confidence. He affirmed the people. Gradually, the people began to believe. Somewhere nearly three years in, the attendance topped 80 on a normal Sunday with nothing special. Now the people really began to believe and began inviting others. After a while the people began to recognize they had a quality pastor and began to be concerned that a large church would snap their pastor away. He assured them that God had called him to this place. God wanted him to stay. Now the church has made significant progress. Average attendance is now running well above 100. That is how attitude can impact the life of a church.
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May 10, 2002. Volume 5, Issue 6. People Spots Online is prepared by James W. Moss, Sr., and Church Consultants. It is provided as a service by New Life Ministries, www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org. Articles may be duplicated and reproduced in any way with proper credit. A new article is produced about every two weeks. To be added to a list to receive these messages directly by e-mail, send a request to churchconsultants@yahoo.com.