Matthew 14:22-33 - Peter: Playing to win? Or playing to "not lose"?

First, read Pastor Billy Cox's post on Winning vs. 'Not Losing.'

I think that this is a great prophetic post about the nature of the church. While Billy speaks primarily of pastors, I would expand the post to speak of the North American church in general. Whenever we set our goals at "not losing," we are effectively staying in the boat. After all, it's safe in the boat. We know that we won't sink as long as we stay in the boat.

How often does the Church miss opportunities because we're too afraid of failure? Whether its changing service times, style of worship, or starting a new ministry, its always easier to continue doing what we know than trying to do something new. Unfornately, the necessity of a 'job' drives many pastors to invest energy into pleasing church members, instead of working to attract seekers.

In my opinion, there are too many churches functioning as chaplaincies--simply caring for those who are already in the doors. How many pastors spend more time providing chaplain-like care to parishioners, at the expense of reaching the lost? How many more internal fellowship/discipleship ministries do we need, when we can't manage a single outreach program? Are churches so afraid of losing those who are already in the pews that we are failing at the Great Commission?

How many pastors are busy doing jobs that their board members and parishioners can be doing? How many pastors could be doing innovative ministry in their community if only someone would take some of the mundane tasks off from their desks. Do we call a pastor to be an administrator of an office? Or a missionary to the community?

Are we playing to win? Or simply to 'not lose'?

Grace and Peace,

PastorJon