Key Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Introduction: The Weight of Pace in a Busy Church
Church life can be full of energy, passion, and movement. Ministries, events, and programs are essential in fulfilling the church’s mission. But how fast the church moves—the pace—carries significant weight.
- A healthy pace fosters engagement, spiritual depth, and sustainability, allowing individuals to connect more profoundly with their surroundings and invest time in meaningful relationships, while simultaneously promoting a balanced lifestyle that nurtures both physical and mental well-being.
- An unsustainable pace leads to burnout, rushed decisions, and a loss of intimacy with God.
Today, we will explore:
- The impact of pace on a church’s health.
- The dangers of an unsustainable pace.
- How to set a healthy, God-honoring pace.
1. The Impact of Pace on a Church’s Health
“Pace” is more than just the number of activities; it is the overall rhythm of how a church operates.
Healthy Pace Brings:
✔ Energy and engagement – People serve with joy instead of obligation.
✔ Deep relationships – The church prioritizes spiritual growth over busyness.
✔ Purposeful ministry – Every program aligns with the church’s mission.
✔ Sustainable leadership – Leaders and volunteers are refreshed, not drained.
Unhealthy Pace Leads to:
❌ Exhaustion – Leaders and members are always running, never resting.
❌ Shallow discipleship – People attend events but never grow deeper in faith.
❌ Hasty decision-making – Ministries react to needs instead of discerning God’s leading.
❌ Spiritual fatigue – The church is busy doing “church” but neglects personal intimacy with God.
Key Verse:
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
✔ A right pace allows the church to move forward without exhaustion.
2. The Dangers of an Unsustainable Pace
A. Burnout in Leaders and Volunteers
- Church leaders and volunteers often feel pressured to “do more,” as they constantly strive to meet increasing expectations from their congregations, manage limited resources, and juggle multiple responsibilities, all while maintaining their passion for service and community support.
- When the church moves too fast, people serve out of obligation rather than calling, which can lead to a sense of burnout and disengagement from the community, ultimately impacting the overall effectiveness of the church’s mission and the spiritual growth of its members.
- This inevitably leads to exhaustion, overwhelming frustration, and ultimately, the difficult decision of quitting ministry.
✔ Solution: Prioritize rest and renewal. Jesus modeled this (Mark 6:31).
B. Superficial Spiritual Growth
- A busy church may seem active, but are people truly growing in their faith, relationships, and understanding of the teachings?
- When everything is rushed, members lack depth in their faith, which can hinder their spiritual growth and connection to their beliefs, leading to a superficial understanding of their doctrines and practices.
✔ Solution: Focus on discipleship over just activity. Jesus spent time developing His disciples (Luke 10:38-42).
C. Poor Decision-Making
- Hasty choices can lead to ministry failures, financial strain, and misplaced priorities, which can ultimately undermine the effectiveness of leadership and damage community trust over time.
- Churches must be Spirit-led, not pressure-driven.
✔ Solution: Seek God’s guidance before acting (Proverbs 16:9).
D. Exclusion of Those Who Need a Slower Pace
- Not everyone can keep up with a fast-moving church, where the pace of change can sometimes feel overwhelming and the demands of participation may exceed what people are able to comfortably manage.
- Some need time to heal, to learn valuable lessons, and to grow into a stronger version of themselves.
✔ Solution: Make space for every person, no matter their pace (Romans 15:1).
3. Setting a Healthy, God-Honoring Pace
Jesus lived with purposeful rhythm—He worked, rested, prayed, and retreated, demonstrating a harmonious balance between action and contemplation that we can all strive to emulate. He engaged deeply with those around Him, sharing love and wisdom, but He also recognized the importance of solitude and reflection, taking time to recharge and connect with His Father. The church should follow His example, understanding that to truly serve and uplift others, we must also prioritize our own spiritual well-being, ensuring that our actions are rooted in faith and intentionality. This rhythm of life not only fosters personal growth but cultivates a vibrant community grounded in shared purpose and understanding.
A. Be Intentional with Every Activity
- Not everything is essential. It is important to prioritize what truly matters in our lives and focus on those aspects that bring value, joy, and fulfillment.
- Every program should align with the mission of making disciples, ensuring that each initiative not only supports this fundamental goal but also enhances the overall strategy of nurturing and guiding individuals in their spiritual journeys.
- Ask: “Is this necessary, or are we just filling the calendar?”
✔ Key Verse: Colossians 3:17 – “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
B. Prioritize What Truly Matters
- Some things are urgent but not important. These tasks often seem pressing and demand immediate attention, yet they do not significantly contribute to our overall goals or well-being. It is crucial to recognize and categorize these tasks effectively in order to prioritize what truly matters in our daily lives.
- Focus on prayer, discipleship, worship, community, and the importance of building relationships with others in faith, sharing in each other’s burdens, and encouraging one another in spiritual growth through open communication, mutual support, active participation in group activities, and seeking opportunities to uplift and inspire each other along our spiritual journeys.
✔ Key Verse: Luke 10:41-42 – Jesus told Martha, “You are anxious about many things, but one thing is necessary.”
C. Establish a Sabbath Rhythm
- A healthy church honors rest, recognizing it as a vital part of spiritual growth, community bonding, and individual well-being, fostering an environment where members can rejuvenate and seek deeper connections with God and each other.
- Jesus took time away to be with the Father (Mark 1:35).
- Rest is not laziness—it is obedience.
✔ Key Verse: Exodus 20:8 – “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
D. Empower Others and Delegate
- Church leaders must share the workload to foster a sense of community, ensure everyone’s skills are utilized effectively, and prevent burnout among individuals who carry the responsibilities within the congregation.
- A church that relies on a few overworked people will not last, as the burdens of responsibility will become overwhelming, leading to burnout, disengagement, and ultimately diminishing the community’s effectiveness and ability to thrive.
- Jesus empowered His disciples (Matthew 10:1).
✔ Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:2 – “Entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
E. Be Flexible and Adaptable
- The church should move at God’s pace, not just human expectations, ensuring that every decision and action aligns with divine timing and guidance, rather than succumbing to the pressures and timelines imposed by societal norms or personal ambitions.
- Be sensitive to shifts in culture and needs, recognizing that they can vary greatly over time and across different communities, and understanding how these changes may influence team dynamics, communication styles, and project requirements.
✔ Key Verse: Acts 16:6-10 – Paul adjusted his plans based on God’s direction.
F. Stay Mindful of Spiritual and Emotional Health
- Check the spiritual pulse of leaders and members regularly to ensure that everyone is aligned with the organization’s core values, fostering an environment of open dialogue and mutual support.
- A church that ignores emotional and spiritual health will eventually suffer, facing challenges that can undermine its mission and weaken its community bonds over time.
✔ Key Verse: 3 John 1:2 – “I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
Conclusion: Running the Race with the Right Pace
✔ Pace carries weight—it affects spiritual health, leadership sustainability, and ministry effectiveness.
✔ Moving too fast leads to burnout, superficial faith, and exhaustion.
✔ Moving too slow leads to stagnation and missed opportunities.
✔ The right pace is Spirit-led, intentional, sustainable, and focused on God’s mission.
Reflection Questions:
- Is our church’s pace sustainable, or are we running on empty?
- Are we prioritizing the right things?
- Are we following God’s timing or human pressure?
Let us run with endurance, but at the pace God has set for us (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Biblical basis of Moving at God’s Pace
Habakkuk 2:3 – “For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”
- God’s timing is perfect. Even when things seem slow and we may be filled with doubts or impatience, His plans will happen exactly when they should, unfolding in their intended moments to create a tapestry of opportunities and lessons that we could not foresee.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
- There is a God-ordained season for everything. Rushing or delaying beyond His timing can disrupt His purpose, leading us astray from the path He has meticulously planned for our lives. Recognizing this divine timing encourages us to have patience and trust in His greater plan, allowing our faith to guide us through each season we encounter.
Isaiah 40:31 – “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
- Waiting on God’s timing brings strength. A church that moves at God’s pace will have endurance, allowing its members to grow in faith together, fostering a sense of community and unity. In the moments of waiting, individuals learn patience and trust, which are essential components of spiritual development. This steadfastness is vital as challenges arise, and it reinforces the belief that God’s plan unfolds precisely when needed.
John 11:6-7 – “So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’”
- Jesus moved at the Father’s timing, not human urgency. Even though He delayed, He was never late. His actions were perfectly aligned with God’s divine plan, demonstrating a profound understanding of the right moment for every event in life. This teaches us the importance of patience and trust in God’s timing, reminding us that our human perception of time can often be misleading.
Busyness Does Not Always Mean Healthier
Key Scripture:
- Luke 10:38-42 – Martha was distracted with much serving, but Mary chose what was better.
- Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Introduction: The Illusion of Busyness
Many churches operate under the assumption that the more activities, the healthier the church. However, busyness does not always equal effectiveness, spiritual depth, or true impact.
- A church can be full of programs but empty in spiritual vitality.
- A church can have a packed schedule but lack genuine discipleship.
- A church can be always busy but spiritually exhausted.
Today, we will explore:
- The dangers of equating busyness with church health.
- What truly makes a church healthy.
- How to shift from busyness to fruitfulness.
1. The Dangers of Equating Busyness with Church Health
A. Busyness Can Lead to Burnout
Key Verse: Exodus 18:17-18 – Moses’ father-in-law warned him, “What you are doing is not good. You will certainly wear yourselves out.”
- Overloading leaders and volunteers drains energy and passion over time.
- A church without rest and rhythm will lose effectiveness over time, as it fails to connect with its community and nurture the spiritual growth of its members, ultimately leading to a decline in participation and vitality.
- When people are overcommitted, they lose joy in serving.
✔ Solution: Embrace rhythms of work and rest (Sabbath principle).
B. Busyness Can Replace True Spiritual Growth
Key Verse: Luke 10:41-42 – “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”
- Martha was distracted with much serving, but Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet.
- A busy church may seem active, but is it producing mature disciples?
- Spiritual depth requires slowing down for reflection, contemplation, study, and worship, allowing oneself the time to truly understand and embrace the essence of one’s beliefs and inner peace.
✔ Solution: Focus on intimacy with Jesus over activity for Jesus.
C. Busyness Can Lead to Superficial Relationships
Key Verse: John 13:34-35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Programs can fill a calendar, but do they foster real relationships?
- A busy church may leave no time for deep fellowship, accountability, or care, ultimately leading to a spiritual disconnection among its members and a lack of genuine relationships that foster growth and support.
- Genuine community takes time—relationships cannot be rushed, as building trust and understanding among individuals requires patience and consistent effort, allowing connections to deepen over shared experiences and meaningful conversations.
✔ Solution: Prioritize connection over just activity.
D. Busyness Can Lead to Ministry Without Purpose
Key Verse: Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.”
- Some churches run programs because they always have—not because they are effective. This adherence to tradition often results in a lack of innovation and adaptation to the changing needs of their communities, leading to stagnation rather than growth or positive impact.
- Not all activity is kingdom-focused—some may just be traditions that have been carried down through generations, serving to create a sense of identity and belonging within the community, even if they do not directly contribute to the kingdom’s overarching goals or ambitions.
- Churches must evaluate: Are we busy doing what matters?
✔ Solution: Be intentional—every ministry should align with God’s purpose.
2. What Truly Makes a Church Healthy?
A healthy church is not defined by how much it does but by the quality of its spiritual life. This spiritual vitality is reflected in the depth of the congregation’s relationships, the sincerity of their worship, and the active pursuit of meaningful discipleship. Rather than solely focusing on programs, attendance numbers, or outreach activities, a thriving church nurtures an environment where members experience genuine transformation and growth. This inner flourishing fosters a sense of community characterized by love, accountability, and service, allowing the church to be a beacon of hope and faith in its surrounding community. Ultimately, it’s the heartfelt connection to God and one another that strengthens the church’s mission and impact, making it truly alive and vibrant.
A. A Healthy Church is Centered on Christ
Key Verse: Colossians 1:18 – “That in everything He might be preeminent.”
- Jesus must be at the center of worship, teaching, and mission, as He embodies the ultimate truth and purpose, guiding our hearts and actions in all that we do.
- The ultimate goal is not just serving the church with our time and talents but also growing in Christ through our faith journey and personal relationships with Him.
✔ Question: Is our church focused on Jesus or just activity?
B. A Healthy Church Prioritizes Discipleship Over Events
Key Verse: Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
- A church can be full of events but empty of true disciples.
- Discipleship is relational, slow, and intentional, requiring a deep commitment to building relationships, fostering a supportive community, and engaging in meaningful conversations over time.
- Jesus invested deeply in a few, rather than just creating large events, focusing his time and energy on nurturing meaningful relationships and imparting profound teachings to those close to him.
✔ Question: Are we making true disciples or just filling schedules?
C. A Healthy Church Values Rest and Renewal
Key Verse: Mark 6:31 – “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
- Rest is not laziness; it is a command that our bodies and minds require to recharge, rejuvenate, and ultimately enhance our productivity and well-being.
- Pastors, leaders, and members all need time to recharge.
✔ Question: Does our church have a culture of rest, or is exhaustion normal?
D. A Healthy Church Has a Balanced Pace
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
- Growth happens in seasons.
- The church should move at God’s pace, not just human ambition, recognizing that true progress relies on divine timing and guidance rather than merely human desires or plans that may lead to misguided paths.
✔ Question: Are we moving in step with the Spirit, or are we just keeping busy?
3. How to Shift from Busyness to Fruitfulness
A. Evaluate and Prioritize What Really Matters
- Ask: Does this program bring life? Does it align with our mission?
- Cut out what is ineffective to focus on what truly impacts lives. This involves identifying and removing distractions, as well as unnecessary tasks, to create a streamlined approach that maximizes effectiveness and leads to meaningful changes that resonate deeply with people.
✔ Key Verse: Philippians 1:10 – “So that you may approve what is excellent.”
B. Develop a Culture of Rest and Reflection
- Teach that resting in God is an act of faith, one that requires us to relinquish control and trust in His divine timing and purpose for our lives, embracing peace and assurance in His unfailing love and guidance.
- Protect leaders and volunteers from burnout by implementing supportive measures, ensuring regular breaks, and fostering a positive environment that encourages open communication about stress and workload.
✔ Key Verse: Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
C. Shift from “More” to “Deeper”
- Less programming, more discipleship.
- Less noise, more prayer.
- Less busyness, more presence.
✔ Key Verse: John 15:5 – “Apart from Me you can do nothing.”
D. Let the Holy Spirit Set the Pace
- The church should be led by the Spirit, not human expectations, which often can create a disconnect between the true calling of the faith community and the pressures imposed from outside influences or personal agendas.
- Not every good idea is God’s timing; sometimes, the universe requires us to wait and reflect before taking action, ensuring that we are prepared to embrace the opportunities that come our way.
✔ Key Verse: Galatians 5:25 – “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Conclusion: Redefining Church Health
✔ A busy church is not always a healthy church.
✔ Busyness without purpose leads to burnout, superficiality, and exhaustion.
✔ A healthy church is one that abides in Christ, values deep relationships, and moves at God’s pace.
Reflection Questions:
- Are we too busy to grow spiritually?
- Are our leaders and members thriving, or just surviving?
- Are we focusing on what truly matters?
Let us not measure our church’s success by how much we do but by how deeply we abide in Christ.
What It Takes for a Leader to Trust God’s Pace for His Church
Trusting God’s pace for the church requires faith, patience, security in calling, and wisdom. It means resisting external pressures, avoiding comparison, and staying in step with the Holy Spirit. Many leaders struggle with the temptation to move too fast out of ambition or too slow out of fear, but a healthy church moves at God’s timing, not human expectations.
Here are seven key principles that help a leader fully embrace God’s pace.
1. Trusting God’s Sovereignty Over the Church
Key Verse: Proverbs 16:9 – “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”
- God is in control of the church’s growth, direction, and impact.
- Trusting God’s pace means letting go of personal control and allowing Him to lead, recognizing that His timing is often different from ours and that embracing this can lead to deeper faith and greater peace in our journey.
- Example: Abraham waited 25 years for God’s promise of Isaac (Genesis 12-21). Though it seemed slow, God’s timing was perfect.
✔ A leader must trust that God’s delays are not denials and that every season has a purpose.
2. Security in One’s Calling, Not Comparison
Key Verse: Galatians 6:4 – “Let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.”
- A leader who is secure in their calling does not feel pressured to compete with other churches or chase ministry trends, instead focusing on their unique mission and the specific community they serve, trusting that their commitment to authenticity and purpose will ultimately lead to genuine growth and impact.
- Insecurity leads to rushed decisions—either overextending oneself in an attempt to compensate for self-doubt or hesitating due to fear of failure and making the wrong choice.
- Example: David refused to fight Goliath in Saul’s armor (1 Samuel 17:38-40). Every leader must walk in their unique calling, not someone else’s.
✔ A leader must stop comparing and trust that God’s calling for their church is unique.
3. Clarity on the Church’s Mission and Season
Key Verse: Habakkuk 2:2-3 – “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time.”
- Every church has a specific assignment from God, and not all churches are meant to grow or expand at the same pace. This divine purpose may manifest in various forms, as some congregations thrive in smaller, intimate settings, focusing on deep community connections, while others are called to reach wider audiences and larger gatherings. Each congregation should embrace its unique role in the larger tapestry of the faith community, recognizing that growth can be qualitative as much as it is quantitative.
- A church without clear vision gets distracted by every opportunity or trend, wandering off course and losing sight of its core mission, which ultimately affects its ability to serve its community effectively and spread its message of faith.
- Example: Jesus did not rush to heal Lazarus (John 11:6-7) because He understood God’s timing.
✔ A leader must seek God’s vision and move at the pace set for their church, not others.
4. Patience to Move in God’s Timing
Key Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
- Impatience leads to premature actions that can weaken the church and disrupt the harmony that is essential for nurturing a strong and united community of faith.
- Example: Moses tried to deliver Israel too soon (Exodus 2:11-15), which led to 40 years in the wilderness before God’s perfect timing.
- Faith includes waiting. A leader must recognize that some seasons are for planting, some for growing, and some for harvesting. Each stage requires patience and understanding, as the journey of leadership often involves nurturing ideas, allowing them to develop over time, and ultimately reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication.
✔ A leader must develop patience and not force growth before its time.
5. Courage to Resist External Pressures
Key Verse: Galatians 1:10 – “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”
- Leaders often feel pressure from people to move faster—launching new programs, expanding ministries, or making hasty decisions.
- Example: King Saul lost his kingdom because he gave in to pressure and rushed ahead instead of waiting for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-14).
- God’s pace is not dictated by expectations from the congregation, social media, or other churches; rather, it flows in perfect synchrony with His divine will, purpose, and timing, which often transcends human understanding and judgment.
✔ A leader must have the courage to follow God’s timing, even when others expect immediate results.
6. Focusing on Depth Over Speed
Key Verse: Luke 6:47-48 – “He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock.”
- Fast growth is not always healthy growth. Without deep foundations, rapid expansion can collapse.
- Jesus invested deeply in 12 disciples instead of prioritizing numbers.
- Some churches prioritize quick success over lasting impact, but spiritual maturity takes time. It is essential for congregations to focus on building relationships and fostering deep connections within their communities, as these elements contribute significantly to a more robust and enduring faith journey.
- Example: The early church in Acts grew in depth first before it multiplied.
✔ A leader must value strong discipleship over quick numerical growth.
7. Resting in God’s Provision and Timing
Key Verse: Mark 6:31 – “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
- A leader who never rests is not trusting God’s ability to sustain the church, demonstrating a lack of faith in the divine provision and support that comes from placing our burdens in His hands.
- Burnout happens when leaders believe they must make everything happen, resulting in overwhelming stress and fatigue that can impede their ability to lead effectively and sustainably.
- Example: Jesus took time away to pray and recharge, even when crowds still needed Him.
✔ A leader must prioritize rest and trust that God’s work continues even when they slow down.
Conclusion: Leading at God’s Pace
✔ Trust that God is in control of the church’s pace (Proverbs 16:9).
✔ Be secure in your calling, not driven by comparison (Galatians 6:4).
✔ Seek clarity on the mission and the church’s unique season (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
✔ Move with patience, knowing that every season has a purpose (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
✔ Resist external pressure and follow God’s leading, not human expectations (Galatians 1:10).
✔ Focus on depth before speed—true discipleship takes time (Luke 6:47-48).
✔ Embrace rest, trusting that God’s work continues beyond human effort (Mark 6:31).
The healthiest churches are not the fastest-growing but the ones that walk in step with the Spirit. A leader who trusts God’s pace will build a church that is strong, sustainable, and centered on Christ.
budi hidajat 