Why is it so Hard?

I often ask myself, "Why is it so hard to bring renewal to a church?" After all I reason doesn't everyone in the church want to see an alive growing dynamic church that impacts the community around it in relevant ways? The answer of course is no. People attend church for different reasons. In fact people have differing views of what a church should be. People have differing expectations of what a Pastor should do. I believe that church renewal is hard precisely because there are differing views of the church. Often Pastors and those seeking renewal assume that everyone has the same view of the mission of the church as they do. Others may even say they have the same view of the mission of the church. However at the root level there are different expectations and views of what the church should be. These roots become painfully exposed when a leader seeks to bring renewal to a church. Hence the answer to my question of why it is so difficult to bring renewal to a church.

I am training myself not to be surprised at how difficult ministry is. I am expecting it to be difficult. I anticipate people disagreeing with me and opposing me. My challenge is to always respond in a redemptive manner that advances the mission of the church. John Wesley once wrote to one of his leaders, "Do not imagine you can avoid giving offense." I still wish ministry were easier and that someday I would reach a plateau and the struggles would be over. However I am realistic and recognize that difficulty is the norm and to be expected. Unless of course we decide not to seek renewal and instead are satisfied with the status quo. That is the easy road. But that is a road that I am not interested in traveling.