In Matthew 19:26, Jesus makes the statement, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” OK – I get that God is bigger than man and can accomplish much more than man. In fact, God can accomplish anything He chooses to accomplish. He is that powerful. Is there a downside to this statement?
Let’s shift the scene from the biblical context of Matthew 19, where Jesus informs that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to inherit the kingdom of God. Let’s consider a different context. In this context, a church is struggling for it’s survival and is in steep decline. Resources are low, there is no cogent vision, and leaders and congregation are paralyzed with indecision, so fearful of making a mistake that they don’t do or even try anything different.
When pressed, folks such as this often say, “With God all things are possible.” This sounds like a solid biblical rock on which to stand, not counting themselves out because, after all, all things are possible with God, even their impossible situation.
I have learned that churches adopt this position as a reason not to face the truth and as an alibi for their indecision and lack of taking action. Yes, all things are possible with God, but not all things are probable. Churches such as this must honestly evaluate their viability. God will not do the impossible just because He can. There must be more to the story and that more is viability.
There are three areas of concern when assessing viability, and these three areas will be the subject of my next three posts:
1. Financial Viability: How long can the church sustain its ministry financially?
2. Core Viability: How strong, committed and capable of multiplication is the current core?
3. Pastor Viability: Is the pastor skilled in the methods and disciplines of moving a church to health, growth and multiplication?
More to come over the next three weeks. Stay tuned.
