[Discoveries] 09-16-08 A note to pastors – Ephesians 4:12

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*to prepare God's people for works of service ... -- Ephesians 4:12*/

I don't often do this, but today I would like to address pastors and 
leaders.

Imagine this: Somewhere, locked up in your church, is a chest containing 
diamonds, rubies, gold coins, precious gems – a treasure of incalculable 
value. Suppose the Lord said to you, “I want you to find this treasure 
chest, and use its contents for the furtherance of My kingdom.” Imagine 
how excited you would be to find that chest, to open it, to get the best 
price for the treasure within, and to use that money to accomplish much 
good.

Now I would like to suggest to you that the treasure chest does exist. 
It is hidden. It is locked up. But you have the key.

The treasure chest, of course, is your people. And the jewels inside are 
their dreams.

God puts within each Christian a unique desire to build His kingdom, to 
make this world a better place, to create a better tomorrow. Those 
dreams take many forms, but it is your privilege as a pastor or leader 
to mine those dreams, to cultivate them, to release them for the 
advancement of God's kingdom.

I'm not a pastor, and probably never will be. But, if I were, I think 
the first thing I would do is sit down with each of my people and ask: 
What are your dreams? How do you want to make your world a better place? 
What can I do to help make that happen? I would seek to become a 
volunteer in their ministry before I asked them to become a volunteer in 
mine.

For the past several months I've been working on a whole process to help 
pastors and churches do this – and it will be a few months before these 
tools are ready. But, meanwhile, I do have a list of questions that I 
think would be helpful in identifying dreams and evaluating how ready 
someone is to move forward with those dreams. If you'd like, I'd be 
happy to send it to you. Just ask.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

What happens when you partner with Dwight Clough Ministries? Victims of 
violent crimes and survivors of abuse are finding peace, wholeness, the 
power to forgive and the strength to set boundaries. Those ensnared by 
addictions are finding freedom. Marriages are being restored. Families 
are strengthened. Christian brothers and sisters in restricted lands who 
face persecution are finding strength and encouragement. Young believers 
are learning how to walk with the Lord, and people are coming into the 
faith for the first time. None of this happens as a result of one 
person's efforts, but rather this is God's work as He blesses the 
sacrifice of many people including yourself. We partner with you, with 
other ministries, and, most significantly, with the Lord. That's how the 
supernatural happens.

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