Grosey's Messages

The great American entrepreneur John D. Rockefeller stated, "I will pay more for the ability to deal with people than any other ability under the sun." According to a report by the American Management Association, an overwhelming majority of the two hundred managers who participated in a survey agreed that the most important single skill of an executive is [the] ability to get along with people. In the survey, management rated this ability more vital than intelligence, decisiveness, knowledge, or job skills.

I find that fascinating. Relationships are more important to good leadership than temperament, technique, and intelligence. This is something I've learned myself over several decades of pastoral ministry . . . and something the apostle Paul illustrates for us in the first twelve verses of 1 Thessalonians 2.

Marks of a dysfunctional church

I've come up with my own humorous top ten list of the ways to tell if you're attending a dysfunctional church. You know you're in a dysfunctional church when:

10. The ushers frisk everyone before they enter.

9. Church survey includes option of increasing pastors pay.

8. The worship leader directs the worship practice with a whip.

7. Family Fun Day includes the Titanic ride, and Jumping Castle is named "Ten Plagues of Egypt."

6.  There is a pastor appreciation month every month.

5. There are parking metres in the church parking lot.

4. Session meetings begin with the chairman saying, "Let's get ready to ruuuuummble!"

3. Visitors are required to put their bank account number on the guest form.

2. Requirements for teaching Sunday school students include martial arts training.

1. The Church changes its name and address regularly to avoid complaints.

I love the little poem that says:

If you should find the perfect church; Without one fault or smear;

For goodness sake, don't join that church; You'd spoil the atmosphere!

But since no perfect church exists; (We're all imperfect men);

Then please stop looking for that church; And love the church you're in.

So keep on serving in your church; Until the Resurrection.

And then we all will be the Church; Without an imperfection!

Measures of a maturing church

Paul then turns their attention to a slide show of memories—reminders of things from their past that affected their present. Notice how often he refers to things the Thessalonians already knew because of past experiences. These words serve as mementos of the past, not to obsess over it but rather to let the past motivate them.

1 Thess 1: We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

"You yourselves know" (2:1)

"After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know" (2:2)

"We never came with flattering speech, as you know" (2:5)

"For you recall, brethren" (2:9)

"You are witnesses" (2:10)

"Just as you know" (2:11)

MEASURE THE MESSAGE (1, 2)

DON'T BE DETERED BY DIFFICULTY. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated 

DON'T BE INHIBITED IN DELIVERY.  we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God

DON'T BE STOPPED BY DISASTER we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict

MEASURE THE MOTIVE (3,4 )

DON'T DEVIATE FROM THE TRUTH 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive

DON'T DEFILE THE TRUTH. or impurity or any attempt to deceive

But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."  2 Tim 2

4 With Honour Comes Responsibility        5 ,6
WE MUST NOT BE MOTIVATED BY

POPULARITY  "words of flattery,"

POSSESSIONS  "a pretext for greed"

POSITION "seek glory from people"

POWER "made demands"

MEASURE THE MANNER OF MINSTRY

LOVE LIKE A GENTLE MOTHER 7,8

WORK LIKE A TROJAN 9

ENCOURAGE LIKE A LOVING FATHER 10,11

WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD,  What is the ultimate goal of these things? Toward what objective was Paul trying to lead the Thessalonians? Well, it wasn't so that they would have the largest church in Macedonia. It wasn't so that they would gain the greatest reputation or manage the biggest budget. The point of it all is much nobler and more important than that. It was so that the Thessalonian Christians would "walk in a manner worthy of the God" who called them into His kingdom (2:12). Paul's leadership style focused on the benefit to those he served—that they might follow the Lord and enjoy His presence forever. He didn't let himself get distracted. Everything he avoided—deception , authoritarianism—and everything he embraced—from sensitivity to needs to enthusiastic affirmation—was meant to strengthen the Christian walk of those he was called to lead.

Walk Worthy of God.

Walk Worthy by Keeping the message pure and central.

Walk Worthy by valuing People more than programs.

Walk Worthy by Multiplying Ministry.