Do you ever wonder what pastors worry about? What they think is important?
The Columbia Partnership (TCP, an Inasmuch ministry partner – visit www.thecolumbiapartnership.org) hopes to help us learn what pastors are concerned about. TCP is conducting a series of surveys of pastors and church staff to identify the most important issues they face. The first of these surveys asks the leaders to rate each of 10 issues:
- Building,
- Technology/Social Media/Marketing,
- Community Context,
- Discipleship,
- Financial,
- Worship and Music,
- Conflict and Communication,
- Governance,
- Leadership Development,
- Growth and/or Missional issues.
The runaway “most important issues” were:
- Growth and/or Missional Issues (92% Significantly or Highly Important) and
- Discipleship Issues (86% Significantly or Highly Important).
This tells us is that ministry leaders on the front lines are most concerned about how the church is equipping their people to be authentic followers of Jesus in a post-church culture.
It’s encouraging to know that Operation Inasmuch’s ministry “scratches where ministers itch.” That is to say, we provide motivation, education, and structure to help believers do what Jesus did and what He commanded his followers to do.
Increasingly, authenticity is measured not in theological terms or denominational affiliation, but in hands-on demonstrations of Jesus’ heart in local communities. Operation Inasmuch has helped hundreds of congregations to be the hands and feet of Jesus for their neighbors in need.
In fact, the best explanation of the astounding growth of the Inasmuch ministry is that it provides proven ways for churches to walk the game they talk.
Based on the TCP survey, it appears that the need addressed by Operation Inasmuch is on the rise: to get church people out of the sanctuary seats and into the streets! Perhaps God put Operation Inasmuch in place to help His people do what He called them to do.
Perhaps A Compassion Revolution really is underway! To God be the glory!!
David Crocker, Executive Director