I’ve been thinking about church strategy for a little while, and have some books on my digital book shelf that I plan on reading about the topic. In some ways I’m in the early stages of thinking about it. In other ways I think I’m far along, thanks to years of being in business, working with clients, and thinking about how my lessons apply to churches.
So it seems time for me to go deeper and to study more on the subject, which I will do. But in some ways it seems to me that the foundation for strategy is already found in John’s gospel as Christ is preaching on what we now call Palm Sunday, and is simply this: And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. The apostle tells us that Christ was teaching about how he would be lifted up on the cross, but Spurgeon tells us that there is an “attractive power of the cross of Christ.”
I truly believe that this is the first step to understanding church strategy. How belief in the gospel is manifested (in service, in teaching, in fellowship) will be different, just as liturgical expressions vary. But it starts with lifting up Jesus Christ.
I end with two things: the link to Spurgeon’s sermon (http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/0139.htm), and the other a video of simple yet profound hymn, and one of my favorites: Lift High the Cross. As God’s stewards of the money, properties, and talents in our purview, let’s always remember to raise Christ in our thoughts and actions.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
1. Come, Christians, follow where the Master trod,
our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
2. Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
3. Each newborn servant of the Crucified
bears on the brow the seal of him who died.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
4. O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
your death has brought us life eternally.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
5. So shall our song of triumph ever be:
praise to the Crucified for victory!
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.