Years ago, under the urging of a friend in ministry, I took a test to determine my unique patterns and ways of relating called the Enneagram. The test divides everyone into nine distinct “types” with a significant amount of variability in each type depending on your health. Each type has common desires, fears, weakness, and longing. 

My type is number 7, also described as the Optimist or the Enthusiast. Type 7’s love experiencing things, and fear “missing out”. The type 7 weakness is anxiety, always trying to strategize or out-think every negative or painful reality. Yet, on the positive, type 7’s tend to be natural encouragers, full of joy and projectors of hope. The description is somewhat of a mixed bag, but in all honesty, I have found it to be quite accurate.

In many ways, I have found that the Church is often like a type 7 on the Enneagram. When healthy, we are communities full of joy, and encouragement. In fact, the church is to be literally defined by its enthusiasm. Enthusiasm literally means “God infused” or inspired (en + theos). When we become unhealthy, we become bastions of fear, anxiety, and avoidance. 

The idea of God’s people being led by fear instead of faith is not something new. A study of the ancient Hebrews recognizes that when they experienced times of scarcity (threats to food, safety), it often set upon a pattern of fear-based behavior that typically led to the development of idolatry. When they were in the wilderness (Exodus), they would often long to return to slavery, because in Egypt, their physical needs could be met. In other words, it was their perspective that Egypt could supply their needs but the God, who brought them out of slavery with incredible miracles and who accompanied them with a visible manifestation, could not. Anxiety in this case, is caused by distrust. Distrust that God is capable, willing and concerned. As a result, the Hebrews would look to other sources for their well-being. Everything from local idols, to military alliances sought to buffer their collective fear and anxiety.

This year, the River Conference developed a budget where our anticipated expenses will be about $150,000 over our anticipated income. If our income (money from apportionments, camps, real estate) remains flat, we would need to dip into about 10% of our savings and reserve. The budget basically added only a few new expenses for expanding the role of our district leaders and partnering with local churches for pastoral residencies. Yet, the transfer of Journey Church to the REACH conference left a significant reduction of apportionments.

We must realize that we cannot adopt a scarcity mindset. When we begin to distrust that Christ is able and willing to grant the provisions to his bride, then we begin to anxiously look for ways to preserve what we have, while slowly disregarding and disinvesting in opportunities for growth. The Apostle Paul said, “My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus”. Do we believe that God is calling us to be enthusiastic communities of joy and hope, radically dependent upon God for his presence, power, provisions, and peace? Do we have a source of holy expectation that not only will God supply our needs but that he is able to do “far more than we can ask or imagine”? 

This is not a call to poor stewardship, but challenge to walk deeper in our faith. Seeking to hear the voice of Christ and boldly trust him in radical obedience at every level of our leadership (personal, local church, districts, and conference). It is an opportunity for making a paradigm switch from being limited by that which we lack, to being compelled by what we have. 

Do not allow scarcity to dominate your vision, but plan and vision cast in light of the incredibly generous God who is willing and able to bless you exceedingly.

Leadership Summit 2020

Denver, Colorado

1 PM Friday, June 26 through

1 PM Saturday, June 27

Look for details and

registration information soon.