I was listening to ESPN Get Up this morning and they were talking about Russel Wilson asking for more money to stay the QB in Seattle.
I think it was Louis Riddick who said, and I paraphrase,
“Front offices are victims of their own arrogance. If they feel like they have enough cap space to trade for who they want/need they can let people walk. Teams are in the replacement business. The NFL is a replacement business.”
Louis Riddick
It’s a sobering thought. We are all replaceable, eventually. Football players lose leverage as they get older and their skills diminish (this is not the case for Wilson) It’s not much different in the church.
I have seen men, pastors, try to hold their position in church though anger, manipulation, bullying and silence. They might have well as said, “they will pry this job from my cold dead hands”.
How awful and sad. Everyone wants a job they love and find purpose in, but we, The Church, like it or not, are in the replacement business.
Jesus said,
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19
Why? So they could replace themselves.
If churches are not making disciples, it’s because they do not want to replace themselves. Sure, pastor’s will educate others, have classes and small groups, but education is not the only component in making disciples.
Jesus shared Himself with his disciple. He gave them His power, His authority, His name and His anointing.
Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.… Luke 9:1,2
That’s where it get’s sticky. People who have power and authority do not want to share it. They want to hoard it, protect it from the commoners. If a church is not equipping saints to do the ministry, they are failing. I don’t care how big the church is, how big their budget is or how big a personality any of its church staff is, they are failing.
I left my church after eight years because I had equipped enough people to leave. I left because I had given away as much a could and done my part and it was time to go. I left to do the one thing I am passionate about, discipleship. You are in the replacement business and if you’re not, you’re failing.
If you want to know more of my thoughts discipleship and how to make it a key part of your youth ministry, you can purchase The Disciple Project Outreach Manual here
I would also love to come to your church and help you give away authority and power to your church or young people. It’s the only way The Church, and your church will make a lasting impact.
You can have me come for a weekend of training putting or if you’re in the Birmingham area I can help you launch a Disciple Project in your church. Let me know how I can serve you.