Some
leaders assume that people will come, just because they
always have. Just keep the doors open - to the
program, the classroom, or the sanctuary - and it will
suffice. If the leader has charming personality, a
strong pulpit presence, or a witty sense of humor, all
the better. Indeed, such traits can carry the day for a
while - even a long while.
However,
the majority of leaders - from church pastors to Sunday
School teachers and home group facilitators - don't have
overpowering personality or excessive doses of
self-confidence. Most of us are not able to deliver
high-powered performances on the public stage. Yet, we
hope people will
come.
But
why will they
come?
Our
culture is constantly looking for value and worth.
Unless the gathering - whether a class, a cell
group, or a congregation - has clear value to the
participants, they will inevitably drift away. This
value must be something tangible, meaningful,
and consistent.
For
some groups, the glue is life-changing learning; for
others, significant relationships; yet others may focus
on meaningful service or
mission.
What
we can say is this: Habit is no longer a sufficient
motive. People are so weary and stressed that they have
little desire to sacrifice evenings or mornings for
anything they deem pointless. Habit may sustain some
people for a season, but not
forever.
In
a culture frazzled by pressure, overwhelmed by
time-demands, and exhausted by sleeplessness and work,
weekday nights and weekend mornings have become too
precious to waste. We may not like the frantic
lifestyles of our people, but it forces us to re-assess
why anyone would join us in a
venture.
Many
home groups offer no more relational depth than we find
in the workplace. Many congregational programs leave us
as isolated afterwards as before. Many church services
fail to connect us meaningfully with either God or each
other. Why would anyone participate in such endeavors?
What compelling reason do they have for
participating?
Most
groups experience cyclical histories. At some point they
have a driving focus and purpose, which may subtly
change with time and become a mere routine. At that
point, the group needs a
re-envisioning.
We
gain very little by wringing our hands in despair or
accusing the lapsed of being "unfaithful." Indeed, the
charge of "unfaithful" perhaps is equally levelled at us
(the leaders) if we drop the ball that once gave our
people direction and
enthusiasm.
Many
of our groups, programs, and ministries may be
languishing for the same reason - lack of common vision
that binds us strongly together. What has been your
compelling vision in the past? What will it be in your
future?
Each
of us, whether we play the role of a formal leader or
not, have the capacity to inject a God-given vision in
most settings. And when there's an attractive reason, we
all enjoy
participating.