What are you doing to make the neighborhood better?

I have been thinking more about what God has done in many of the churches I have been visiting lately. Several are good sized, healthy, and prosperous. Many others are small churches where the lives of people are so entwined that church and family are one in the same. They have great vision, but little resource to work with. As I think about my own experience as Pastor, I realize that most of these pastors are just like me. They work hard, invest themselves in building relationships and pulling the team together to build the vision God has given them. They aren't asking for help and would likely be shocked if it was offered. But shouldn't we be helping each other?

Hebrews 10 says, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together ... let us consider one another ... provoking one another to love and good works." We are supposed to be on the same winning team. We are supposed to be headed for the same goal, to bring people into the Kingdom. There is no need for competition, no room for shutting each other out, and a clear mandate from our Lord to contribute to one another's success. Are we?

Pastor, who are you helping succeed, not just inside your four walls? Whose vision are you helping bring to manifestation? Who sees you as a partner for their success and feels teamed together with you? Remember, "Two are better than one, ... and a threefold cord is not easily broken." We can do more together than we can ever do alone. Let's take time to "consider one another," be proactive, and, TOGETHER, change our world.