Of course, he came to quickly realize that this was impossible, but he also learned about the life-transforming power of God’s Word! All of this brings me to my point—you knew I would get there eventually, right? By God’s grace and power, 2010 can be the Year of Transformation!
No doubt God has some wonderful things in store for His people and His church in His year of 2010. For many congregations that will include a TCN consultation, for many pastors and church leaders it will mean learning new skills, attitudes, and behaviors through a TCN Learning Community, and for still others it will be receiving regular coaching on how to become more effective disciple makers and equippers. For all, certainly it will mean proclaiming the Good News, celebrating God’s grace and helping change lives and communities in the name of Christ. Those are all givens; the question that remains is “What specifically would God have us to do as individuals and congregations in 2010 to accomplish our kingdom goal of turning inwardly focused congregations outward?”
To help you come to some God-pleasing answers (and the answers will be different for everyone), I would like to offer the following two suggestions:
Spend time with God
It’s impossible to know anyone well without spending time with them. The same is true with God. To get to know the mind and heart of God, you must spend time with Him. Make it a habit in 2010 to set aside some special time every day to be with your Lord, to read and meditate upon His Word, and to talk to Him in prayer.
Pray and Fast
Left to our own puny human strength and resources, we will be able to accomplish very little. However, with God nothing is impossible! Jesus Himself has promised to build His Church, and not even the gates of hell will prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). So, why don’t we invite the Lord of the Church to do great things in our midst in 2010? Why don’t we ask Him to begin a church transformation movement in the LCMS? And why don’t we ask Him to start in our own hearts?
That’s what I am going to be doing this year. I am letting you know that I am committing myself to praying every day this year for God to have His way with my life and in our Synod and that, according to His will, a congregational transformation movement might break out among us. I will also be fasting one day a week (usually on Wednesday) to focus on this prayer. Finally, I want to invite you to join me.
You can do this privately, and I am sure it will have a powerful effect. However, it would be a great encouragement to me and others if you would let us know that you are joining in this effort. Take a moment right now to fill out the online survey, indicating to me that you want to covenant together in prayer and/or fasting, and I will keep you informed through a special newsletter as to the progress of the movement.
Someone once said, “On the beach of hesitation bleach the bones of many people.” In my neck of the woods (some would say redneck), we simply say “Git ‘er done!” I.e., once you have spent time with God and have an idea of what He would have you to do, then go ahead and get started. Plan, yes. Do research, certainly. Consult others, by all means. But then, it finally comes time to just git ‘er done!
May the incarnate Christ—the Word become flesh—act powerfully in your life in this new year in such a way that you will “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
We invite and encourage you to take our very brief survey to help us at TCN better understand who you are and how we can serve you more effectively.
God's blessings,
Rev. Dr. Terry Tieman
Executive Director
Transforming Churches Network