Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Big Fish Little Pond


In a small pond a five pound bass is a big fish. But when the pond gets larger it turns into a lake, and more fish begin to multiply. Now the five pound bass is JUST ANOTHER FISH.

This happens in churches. When a church is small there is always one or two big fish who feel they have an opportunity at authority. They can pull strings, offer opinions, and influence decisions. But as a church begins to grow the fish begin to multiply as more people and new families are added to the pond. Other people start having influence. Now this big fish has become just another fish in a bigger pond – and he won’t like it. He feels like his influence has been diluted. So he starts looking for another small pond to jump into. He wants to be the Big Fish in a Little Pond.

But thank God for the humble servants who simply want to serve - and not be boss. They serve cheerfully, faithfully, and seek to be last - not first. These are people who are firmly planted, and become like trees planted by the rivers of living water - they bring forth fruit, they do not wither, and whatever they do prospers (Psalm 1:3).

Their church becomes healthy because of their contribution. They are building up the church, not of wood, hay, and stubble, but of gold, silver and precious stones. What they do lasts - it stands firm against the storms of transition, false doctrine, and changes in leadership. Rather than being a "stumbling block" of offence (Romans 14:13), these faithful saints are "living stones" in a "spiritual house" (I Peter 2:5) that becomes the "habitation of God" (Ephesians 2:22).

Some people get weird when they see things changing in their enviroment.

Others grow.