Reading Proverbs 27:23-27 I noticed some things.  This isn’t in any commentaries or Bible notes.  This is an observation in a scripture reference.  This passage I will post below in its entirety because it will make better sense when I reference it.

23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. 27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.

It talks about a flock of sheep.  Big deal right?  The Bible often refers to people that make up the church as a flock of sheep. I actually wrote on the perception of leadership in this context last week.  So in my observation of the scriptures here are some things I pulled out of the above text as in to why we need to pay attention to who is coming to Oak Leaf.

  • A good church does not last forever.  People come and go and you will experience times in your church where you feel week because of leadership vacuums.  Prepare in advance.
  • The work (those things that make the church be the church like loving people) will not always be as plentiful as the last year.  Why? See point one.
  • When you work hard to feed your sheep (again I prefer to the cattle vision :) ) they will grow to provide for the body.  That is, they will develop to be the leaders you need to do the work.
  • God is the main producer of the crops. We are working with Him not Him with us.  [See 1 Corinthians 3:9-11] Recognize that this is His church not yours.  Yes work hard but understand that God is the provider.  That means PRAY…
  • Lastly, we are a church that fully believes that ‘Lost people (those that are far from God) matter to God’.  It is the first of our core values and it means that we always have them in mind first.  But, if we do not pay attention to those that are already here we can never reach the ‘Lost’ like we want. Without consciously raising up our members to be leaders we cannot accomplish our mission.

OK so that’s how my mind works sometimes when I am reading scripture.  Bottom line, to me, we need to pay attention to who is coming through our doors because it let’s us know where we stand as a church.  Some people/pastors confuse this with incomes, staff, and popularity.  Yep, those can be indicators but we need to know our people.  By being connected with them we are able to predict and hopefully prepare for rough times.

I know many of you read passages sometimes thinking, “What I am suppose to be learning from this?”  Well, if you meditate it on it enough and ask/pray God to show you things, like the meaning of scripture, I think you will be surprised.

Have a great rest of the week!