It’s time to wrap up the “Seven Deadly Sins” series and the last “sin” I want to talk about doesn’t always apply to a visitor’s perspective directly. Sometimes it isn’t even noticeable – at first, but it is a BIG one and that sin is not letting God be in control of your church. If you don’t allow God to be in control all the other points are useless!

It is easy as a church planter or pastor to get busy with all the many details involved with leading God’s church. There is so much to do and so little time. A pastor can end up spending more time on branding, marketing, media, websites, administrative tasks, and taking charge of every single aspect of building the ministry that he actually forgets to spend time with the Lord, seeking guidance and counsel through prayer, and letting God lead His church. I have seen this many times and you know what? Your visitor’s will see it too!

If you spend serious time with the Lord people will be able to sense that in you. If you don’t spend time with God, they can feel the spiritual coldness. Who wants to come to a church where the pastor is spiritually lacking or dead? Spend time with God. Let Him lead the church and take care of the details. It’s important to consider the advice of this blog and series but don’t give up your time with Jesus to follow the latest trend, technology, or technique. Your walk with Him and your reliance upon Him is the most important and critical aspect of your church! You can have all the cool or fancy stuff but without God in control all it will be is fluff. Being the best and most effective pastoral leader you can be will be the best way to help a visitor!