Four Kinds of Four Kinds of Believers Believers

in the Church Todayin the Church Today

GroundbreakersGroundbreakers

1.1. The PioneersThe Pioneers

They are those who make things happenThey are those who make things happen They launch into new frontiers & dimensions They launch into new frontiers & dimensions

that have not been explored beforethat have not been explored before They break limitations within themselvesThey break limitations within themselves They bring in new styles and methods to the They bring in new styles and methods to the

“old things”“old things”

1.1. The PioneersThe Pioneers

They create spiritual momentum and cause They create spiritual momentum and cause the church to move forwardthe church to move forward

They are sensitive and obedient to the They are sensitive and obedient to the Spirit’s leadingSpirit’s leading

They thrive on spiritual dynamics like They thrive on spiritual dynamics like worship because they love to keep their worship because they love to keep their spirits buoyantspirits buoyant

2.2. The EnablersThe Enablers

Those who support things that are happeningThose who support things that are happening Their spirits get stirred by the God-given Their spirits get stirred by the God-given

vision of the pioneers. It’s the same vision vision of the pioneers. It’s the same vision within their own heartswithin their own hearts

They may not be first to run to the frontlines They may not be first to run to the frontlines of the battlefield but they are great of the battlefield but they are great supporters of those who dosupporters of those who do

2.2. The EnablersThe Enablers

They bring their talents, time and treasure to They bring their talents, time and treasure to help help fulfilfulfil the vision of the pioneers the vision of the pioneers

They feel responsible for the vision because They feel responsible for the vision because it reflects their own dreams and aspirations. it reflects their own dreams and aspirations. Although the vision was initiated by the Although the vision was initiated by the pioneer, the enabler feels its his own vision pioneer, the enabler feels its his own vision too. Acts 16:9-10too. Acts 16:9-10

2.2. The EnablersThe Enablers

Acts 16:9-10Acts 16:9-10

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A certain man of Macedonia stood, begging him, certain man of Macedonia stood, begging him,

saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us! saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us! And after he saw the vision, we immediately And after he saw the vision, we immediately

tried to go into Macedonia, gathering that the tried to go into Macedonia, gathering that the Lord had called us in order to preach the gospel Lord had called us in order to preach the gospel

to them. to them.

3.3. The Resisters AThe Resisters A

Those who do not know what is happeningThose who do not know what is happening They are NOT anti leadership or the vision of They are NOT anti leadership or the vision of

the church. They are sometimes committed the church. They are sometimes committed church members or even involved in ministrychurch members or even involved in ministry

They are uncertain & fearful of all the changes They are uncertain & fearful of all the changes taking place in the church. This sense of taking place in the church. This sense of uncertainty gets the better of themuncertainty gets the better of them

3.3. The Resisters AThe Resisters A

They love the church & the Lord but they They love the church & the Lord but they ask “What is this that is happening?!”ask “What is this that is happening?!”

They realize that changes are taking place They realize that changes are taking place faster than they can cope with. faster than they can cope with.

They fail to grasp or understand all that God They fail to grasp or understand all that God has been saying & doing thus far. So they has been saying & doing thus far. So they resist the changes because they are ignorant resist the changes because they are ignorant of the purposes God is trying to establishof the purposes God is trying to establish

Why resisters rise in churchesWhy resisters rise in churches

1.1. IgnoranceIgnorance They have not received sufficient information They have not received sufficient information

to be convinced about the necessity of the new to be convinced about the necessity of the new things or changes taking place around themthings or changes taking place around them

2.2. Reduced communication and contactReduced communication and contact

3.3. Inner struggles arising from past issuesInner struggles arising from past issues

4.4. The Resisters BThe Resisters B

Those who will prevent anything from Those who will prevent anything from happening happening

They are simply unwilling to change. They They are simply unwilling to change. They have no desire to change their lifestyles or have no desire to change their lifestyles or thought patternsthought patterns

They will resist any changes that will move They will resist any changes that will move them out from their comfort zonesthem out from their comfort zones

4.4. The Resisters BThe Resisters B

They are guilty of the “sin of convenience”. They are guilty of the “sin of convenience”. They will rebel against change or a new They will rebel against change or a new thing simply because it inconveniences themthing simply because it inconveniences them

They are so familiar with what they have that They are so familiar with what they have that they see no need to changethey see no need to change

Their attitude: Their attitude: “Can anything be better than “Can anything be better than what I have already have or know?”what I have already have or know?”

How resisters attack changeHow resisters attack change

1.1. They begin by verbalizing their complaints They begin by verbalizing their complaints and frustrationand frustration

2.2. They surround themselves with like-They surround themselves with like-minded slanderersminded slanderers

3.3. They begin to undermine the authority of They begin to undermine the authority of the leadership of the churchthe leadership of the church

4.4. Open rebellion and rejection of authorityOpen rebellion and rejection of authority

Four Kinds of Four Kinds of Believers Believers

in the Church Todayin the Church Today

GroundbreakersGroundbreakers