In this episode of The Imperfect Pastor, we tackle a crucial reality check: this isn’t our church—Jesus is the head of the church (Colossians 1:15-18). As pastors, we’re called to cooperate with His agenda, not our own, which often means embracing necessary culture shifts to align with His mission rather than clinging to tradition.
A key part of this is making space for the Holy Spirit to lead. Too often, we rush decisions, trying to force change on our timeline instead of waiting on God’s. But true transformation happens when we facilitate room for the Spirit to work and guide our people toward God's agenda.
We also address one of the biggest distractions in ministry—criticism. How much time did Jesus spend quieting His critics? Not much. He stayed focused on His mission. We discuss practical ways to handle complainers: have the conversation once, don’t dwell on it, and move on. Instead of getting bogged down in people-pleasing or reading every comment, invest your time in those who are open to spiritual growth.
Shifting church culture isn’t easy, but remembering whose church it is keeps us grounded. If we let Jesus lead, we can navigate these challenges with clarity, patience, and trust in His perfect timing.
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