Pastor John Ortberg “felt frustrated because the people at the church I served were not changing more.” He arranged a meeting with a theologian. “I asked him what I needed to do to help our church experience greater levels of spiritual growth (p. 84).”
The theologian paused, and then said, “You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God (p. 85).”
“Huh?” John was confused. He was not asking about how to be a better Christian. He was asking about a course or some program to help his church.
“Yes, Brother John,” he [Dallas Willard] said with great patience and care. “I know you were thinking of those things. But that’s not what they need most. The main thing you will give your congregation — just like the main thing you will give to God — is the person you become (p. 85).
The best way we can help our families, friends, co-workers, and neighbors is to arrange our days so we are experiencing “deep contentment, joy, and confidence in their everyday lives with God.”
The best way we can help people is to become more like Jesus.
References
Ortberg, J., (2014) Soul Keeping. Zondervan. Kindle Edition.
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