Last week I mentioned a business
article that I read recently which made this statement… “Forget the mission
statement, what’s our mission question?”
The author had interviewed CEOs of some of the country’s most successful
businesses and said that asking the right questions is the key to having a
successful business. I wondered if that
also applies to church. The first
question successful organizations must ask is, “Why are we here in the first
place?” I believe it is absolutely
essential that a church always remember its primary reason for being. We are the blood bought family of God paid
for by Jesus Christ Himself and it is He who gave us the great commission to go
into all the world and preach the good news.
What better reason is there than that?
The second question is one that we ought to quickly be able to answer as
well.
#2 What
does the world need most that we are uniquely able to provide?
Panera bread looked at the statistics
regarding poverty and hunger and decided that they were in the unique position
of being able to donate large quantities of fresh bread to people all over the world. According to some statistics, they give away
in excess of $100 million worth of food a year.
Further, they also determined that they were in the unique position of
being able to provide more complete and dignified eating experiences for those
in need. So, they opened a “Panera Cares
Café” which are essentially eat-for-free restaurants with the costs being
covered from donations by customers and other benefactors. What an interesting idea.
What will it take? When will the church become as committed to
reaching the lost as it is to pleasing the saved? When will its focus turn from satisfying its
own needs to meeting the needs of those outside of Christ? Perhaps there is something to be learned from
Panera bread on this? There is much need
in our world. What can we do to help?
Next week… question #3 we must ask ourselves.
-Jim
