Going where God goes
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Pastors and others occasionally resist the idea that churches should organize. Their reasons for this vary, but these leaders typically think that management (1) is not needed, (2) is uninteresting, (3) is unbiblical, or (4) lacks trust in God.
In response, others point out that a close look at the biblical record demonstrates that God himself is a planner and organizer. He might be called the premier organizer. The principles of organizing and organization are seen throughout Scripture. For example, the early books of the Bible show the nature of God as a planner in creation (Gen. 1), building the ark (Gen. 6), giving the Ten Commandments and law (Exod. 20), building the tabernacle (Exod. 25–30), sending the spies into the promised land (Josh. 2), building Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6), and predicting a succession of kingdoms to Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2).
The grandest example of planning might be the birth of Christ as the fulfillment of God's plan of salvation (Matt. 1). God has even created all the good works we're going to do in advance. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Eph. 2:10).
Is James saying pastors and church leaders are not to plan or organize to reach goals? Is it wrong to set goals for tomorrow, next month, or next year? While it may seem that James is speaking against goal setting and planning, he is not. He is speaking against taking a certain pride in planning. It is the pride that is wrong, not the planning itself. Beginning in the first chapter, James presents examples of Christians who take their life into their own hands, with little trust in God.
1:5–8 He warns against double-mindedness.
1:9–11 He warns against dependence on wealth.
1:12–15 He warns against unrepented sin.
1:19–21 He warns against an uncontrolled tongue.
1:22–24 He warns against faith that does not produce fruit.
2:1–13 He warns against showing partiality.
3:13–18 He warns against selfish ambition.
4:1–12 He warns against wrong motives.
It is pride rather than planning that concerns James. He writes, "You ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.' But, as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin" (4:15–17).
James is saying, "Don't take your life into your own hands. Remember that all you do is dependent upon God's will." Christian correspondence from years ago often closed with the letters DV, which stand for Deo volente, Latin for "if God wills" or "God willing." Planning is not wrong, but all biblical goals are statements of faith. Any statement about tomorrow, next week, or next year is made in faith. Notice how the responsibility of man to plan is balanced with God's will in these verses: "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord" (Prov. 16:1). "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (16:9). "Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand" (19:21). Faith planning while trusting in God to provide final confirmation and direction is plainly biblical and an action that Christians are expected to practice.
Excerpted fromThe 10 Key Roles of a Pastor: Proven Practices for Balancing the Demands of Leading Your Church, by Gary L. McIntosh, Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group, June 8, 2021. Used by permission.
 | Gary L. McIntosh (PhD, DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) is president of the Church Growth Network and professor of Christian ministry and leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is an internationally known speaker and church consultant who has written more than 25 books, including his most recent book, The Solo Pastor: Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges of Leading a Church Alone. He lives in California. Learn More » |
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