Our first monthly worship service at Citywide this past Sunday night was very powerful.
People walked into the building with a sense of wonder and expectation of what we believe God will do. A total of 41 people attended.
We do believe God's hand is guiding Citywide. We experienced an inspiring time of worship on Sunday and left confident that God is definitely in control.
Anytime God is at work, the people He uses can easily take credit for what He is doing and become prideful. Although this is not a problem at the moment, after Sunday night, God laid on my heart the need to address the issue of pride in ministry. This applies to me, Citywide, The Gathering, or anyone serving Jesus in ministry.
Here are some examples of what pride in ministry looks like:
Thinking that our ministry is the answer. Jesus is the answer. We become prideful when we have the attitude that our ministry is the next cool thing offering a better way that others have yet to figure out. Citywide is not a better idea or the next cool thing. We are simply a body of believers responding to God's call to fulfill the Great Commission. We will join many other Gospel-centered churches in Honolulu who are already doing the work.
Thinking that we are better. Pride and jealousy are often the root of this. Here are some examples of how we express this attitude: "We are bigger," "we are smaller," "our theology is better," "our simplicity is more biblical," "our music sounds better," "our style is more relevant, "we have better ministries," "our church structure is better." We are not better. Each gospel-centered ministry built upon Jesus will be different. As we unite around Jesus, our differences and strengths can be leveraged to effectively spread the Gospel and teach God's word.
Taking credit for what God is doing. Our human nature naturally moves toward recognition. If we put in the time for a sermon, worship set, ministry, investment in people's lives, work at the church, we feel entitled to brag and take credit for the results. It's human nature. God uses our gifts, talents, abilities to accomplish His work. But the credit and glory always goes to God for producing the results. There is a price we pay when we take credit for what belongs to God.
My encouragement to Citywide and The Gathering as we grow and see God move is to seek Christ and be humble.
Proverbs 16:18
"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Matthew 23:12
Jesus said, "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
1 Peter 5:5
"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Why be humble?
- God works through us when we are humble. Humility builds bridges that lead us to share the Gospel and helps us disciple and mentor people well. Pride prevents us from hearing from God. Humility allows us to be more controlled by the Holy Spirit.
- What God does in our humility gives Jesus glory. Jesus does this by working in us, in our weaknesses, and through our shortcomings when we are fully surrendered and humble before Him.
- Our lives become an encouragement to others because they see hope in Christ.
- Our lack of humility causes us to operate in the flesh. The consequences of this can be painful. Operating in the flesh can eventually lead to burn out, bad relationships, health issues, frustration and anger, divisiveness and a very poor reflection of Jesus.
Jesus showed us the greatest example of humility when He came to earth to be like us, to live among us, to die for us and give us life. Every follower of Jesus exists to be more like Jesus everyday. Our best attempts at humility will fail. But we move toward humility as we walk with Jesus--as He shapes our lives to become more like Him.
Let us desire to be used by God in a mighty way--personally, with our family, at school, work, church, ministry, wherever we may be.
Let us start by surrendering to Jesus.
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Please note: Citywide is just getting started and there is still much work to be done. We officially open our doors in mid-September. Take note of the following dates: May 8 (prayer, worship, visioning), May 22 (Monthly worship), June 2 (prayer, worship, visioning), June 26 (monthly worship). We will start weekly worship in July and continue through September 11. On September 18, we open officially.
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