Projects in business are common. Co-workers come together, collaborate, research, design, and then plan to achieve a particular goal. We learn from a young age, during school, how to partner with classmates to complete a project. Lately, I’ve been thinking about kingdom growth and church work in the context of projects.
Christianity is a mission to multiply, build, and expand for God’s glory. In that mission, we’re honored to work side-by-side for that aim. The Bible itself is a book full of men who took on projects. They collaborated with others to do great things for God’s glory.
- Noah’s family built an ark (for God’s glory).
- Nehemiah led crews to reconstruct the wall (for God’s glory).
- Solomon managed the building of the temple (for God’s glory).
- Joshua led armies into battle (for God’s glory).
- Paul took partners on mission trips and planted churches (for God’s glory).
All these men had a project. And their vision for the kingdom of God was so great, they couldn’t do it alone. These men knew the aim of their projects was for the world to see God’s glory. They each believed in their project, and knew it was important. They had everyone in on their deal: family members, friends, fellow-ministers, and co-workers. You should emulate biblical leadership and consider these 5 questions before starting your next great project…
- Is your project collaborative? Don’t let all your work become “do-it-yourself” items on your own personal checklist. God’s kingdom is greater than any one man’s plan. So, team up. Pool resources. Put your heads together, challenge, and push each other to the greatest result.
- Is your project a solution to a problem? Will the end result meet a definite need? Consider what shortage or inadequacy you want to eliminate. Don’t show up with bricks during a famine, or towels during a drought. Bring food for the hungry, and drink for those who thirst. Church demands and scarcities could be filled if your group decided to do something about it.
- Is your project helping someone else? Great men of the Bible set out to encourage and bless. Encourage those around you. Bless future generations ahead of you. Your work has the potential to benefit people today, and tomorrow. Your project could be something that serves your children and your great-great-grandchildren. So, bathe it in humility and love.
- Is your project advancing the gospel? Of all the trips to take, books to write, structures to build, and needs to meet, is your focus on spreading the message? Lost souls could hear about the life-saving blood of Jesus Christ through your “project”.
- Is your project giving God glory? When the credits roll, whose name appears? Your work will either point to yourself or to the Savior. Your next project has the potential to give the world a glimpse of God. Your next project could be the city on the hill, the light of good works that shines so men can glorify God (Matthew 5:16).
