Don’t Stop Pouring

In Steve Backlund’s book “Help I’m a Pastor” he talks about pastors not trying to grow big churches but rather growing “Big People”. Many leaders spend a lot of time developing the best strategies, systems or programs. As leaders, we are called to the development of people. 

When we put our time and effort into building “big people” their skills and talents can shine in turn to also build others. This is the most powerful way to build the church. It is the model of spiritual parenting that we speak about in DOVE. It is the model that Paul describes in 2 Timothy 2:2

 

2 Timothy 2:2

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

 

It is the picture of a cup pouring into other cups which pour into other cups which allows for exponential growth, eventually turning into a rushing river of God’s kingdom flowing into lives. Investing our time energy and effort into people will not be lost. There may be some who disappoint, this even happened to Jesus. But don’t stop pouring!

 

Jesus tells the parable of the farmer sowing seed in Luke chapter 8. What would have happened if the farmer stopped sowing when he discovered his seed was falling on the path or the rocks or the thorns? He would not have received the harvest from the good soil!

 

Many times when dealing with the lives of people, you cannot determine the condition of the soil of their lives. But one thing that you can determine is how much seed you will sow. You cannot control whether or not someone will receive from you, but you can decide if you are going to continue to sow. That is something that you can control!

 

I heard someone say, “in business, you have to control what is controllable”. Meaning there are things that you have control over and there are things you don’t. By the way, never allow something that you don’t have control over to convince you that you are a failure. But do take responsibility for those things that you do have control over. You have control over if and how much you will continue to pour into other people. Let us decide now to never stop being one who sows.

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

  • Merle Shenk

Merle Shenk serves on the DOVE International apostolic council and is the associate pastor at Newport Church.