This person was attempting to make a negative assessment of the Church. They stated, “That Church is only interested in noses and numbers.” What he meant was that he felt the leadership of that particular Church only cared about how many people were attending for pride’s sake. They also were concerned about the offering, presumably for their financial gain.

I admit I am incredibly interested in noses and numbers when it comes to my Church. The reasons are simple: They represent people whose lives have been changed by their faith in Jesus.

Every time our attendance grows, another person is attending worship. That means someone is hearing about Jesus for the first time, or if they already believe, they are learning more about their Bible.

Every time our offering goes up, it means someone new is testing their faith in God through their giving. They trust him to provide even when they give away some of their hard-earned money.

Not only that, but every dollar allows us to have a more significant impact on this world for Jesus. My pay is in no way connected to our giving, and it does not benefit me in the slightest. But it does mean we can give more to missionaries and Godly projects around the world. With the extra resources, there will be more shoeboxes sent at Christmas, more benevolence given locally, more ministry to children, and more kingdom work done.

Every number is significant because it represents something more. It shows us that lives are being changed and people are growing as believers. It means the work of the Church is fruitful. It gives hard facts to demonstrate unseen development.

It is true. The Church I lead is interested in noses and numbers but not for the reasons most people think.

There are two ways to handle fire. 

One is to purchase a fire truck and the needed supplies. Then, you will need several people trained to fight a fire properly with that equipment. You will need brave people willing to run into a burning building and do whatever is necessary to save lives.

Second, it is to invest in fire prevention. You will need to train people on how to avoid starting unwanted fires. You will need to purchase extinguishers and other tools to stop one immediately if it starts. Keeping a fire from starting and spreading so that no drastic action is needed.

Both are excellent choices, and both are needed.

The same is true with ministry. There is a need for programs that help people avoid disaster and others for people who are experiencing it.

There is an extremely good chance that within a short time after I am gone, people will forget about me. My name and activities will only exist in the minds of a few people, and eventually, they will move on and forget me, too.

One thing I can leave behind is a great Church. I can lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus. I can equip people to disciple others into Christlike maturity. I can assist people in impacting their families for the Lord.

The Church leadership and I can work together to develop systems for a more significant impact. Together, we can improve the building as a toolbox for kingdom work. Those men can then continue the service of the Lord through this Church in my absence.

My name may be quickly forgotten, but I hope that this community of faith I serve will be here long after I am gone. My impact will ripple out to touch unseen generations of people.

The legacy of Matthew Harris is not significant. My hope is that my work in the Church, along with yours, will assist people in their walks with Jesus for decades to come.

One reason I am a committed part of a local Church is that together, we can cast a long shadow over the future of people in our town.

Part of my job as a pastor is reminding you of what you already know. I am like a coach on your journey of faith.

I shed light on what you have read in your Bibles and remind you how it applies to your life. I point out the evil that you already know exists. I instruct you to do things you understand you should be doing.

Like a coach, pastors are not creating a new game to play but instructing people on how to improve their skills. We push people to practice what they already know in theory.

Being a part of a Church is rarely about obtaining some new profound truth. It is about learning to do what you already know.

It is defined as “developing so gradually as to be well established before becoming apparent” (Merriam-Webster.com). It comes from a Latin word for “ambush,” which is fitting, as this word often carries the meanings “deceitful,” “stealthy,” or “harmful in an imperceptible fashion.” It can be applied to both people and things.

The work of evil in your life is rarely a full-frontal attack. We are not challenged to fight the devil in hand-to-hand combat as he tempts us like he did Jesus. Instead, his work is insidious. Evil slithers into our lives quietly and without notice. It grows without recognition in our hearts, minds, and souls until it takes control of our actions.

There is no need to make you a murderer if the devil can get hatred to grow in your heart. He does not need to have you steal a million dollars if he can get you to fudge a few numbers on your taxes. Evil wins in your life when small lies become a regular part of your conversations.

The path away from God comes with seemingly meaningless, misdirected steps until evil gets us alone and can ambush us. Sin, in your life and mine, is insidious.

I rarely share quotes. But this one was exceptional and thought-provoking.

“Communication is about what is received, not what is intended. If there is a gap between what you are saying and what they are hearing, you have to find a new way to say it.”

• James Clear (author of Atomic Habits), in his 3,2,1 newsletter

I spent last week on vacation. It had been eight months since I took a Sunday off from preaching.

I was exhausted. It has been a long run, with numerous significant events shaping the Church I lead and the future of our ministry.

Sometimes, you need to stop what you are doing and walk away. I needed a full eight days to clear my mind and rest from doing ministry.

For the people who are deeply involved in ministry, an occasional break is needed to reset their souls for the future. I was glad to have it this past week.

If you are feeling burnt out, don’t give up. Give yourself a chance to reset once in a while.

I don’t know what was going on in my dad’s life at that time, but one day, we were riding along in the truck, and as we passed the cemetery, he said, “There lies a bunch of people who thought they could not be replaced.”

Often, I have wondered what prompted the statement. Was he reflecting on the loss of someone? Was he pondering his own legacy? Maybe he had a heated conversation with someone at work who thought they were irreplaceable.

Whatever the reason, that thought was a humble reminder of my limited impact. My life can and will be replaced by someone else one day. The world, the Church I lead, and even my family will carry on without me.

He never said a word of explanation. It was a statement of fact. A fact I have never forgotten.

Whenever I get so full of myself that I think my little section of the world will fall apart without me, I remember my dad’s comment and the truth it holds for all of us.

It is late at night, and I have no idea what to blog next. I have posted something almost every weekday for years.

Frequently, I sit in front of a blank page, and nothing seems to come to mind.

Tonight, I want to remind you that just because someone makes it look effortless doesn’t mean it is. Daily creative work is still work.

The internet is full of people sharing lessons they learned in life, including this blog.

I need to be clear there is a difference between knowing a lesson and learning.

When you truly learn something, it will change your thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. You will make every effort not to repeat your mistakes. You will blaze a new trail with all the latest information. Life will be different and hopefully better.

Knowing what happened and why is essential, but it is not helpful information until it changes you.