Getting the Left Foot of Fellowship

By Raul Rivera

Today, I want to begin with a story I often share at my Ultimate Church Structure conferences.  Has there ever been a time in our national history when a timely word from the Lord was more needed to bring healing to many than now?  It is possible that you have been sensing a nudge from the Lord that you are the one He will use to bring that word.  I think everyone reading this article would agree with me when I say that the moral fabric of our country is in disarray.  Our country is reaping the fruit of its moral choices and many people are once again beginning to cry out for the answers that can only be found in God.  However, there is one problem.  Fear!  Fear has kept you back.  The unknown, criticism from others (maybe your pastor), and a multitude of other doubts has kept you on the sidelines. 

Your struggles are not new to man.  Everyone who has been called by the Lord has gone through similar struggles.  In fact, let me share with you the struggles I went through that led me to start a new church.

My experience

I was driving back to the church office after visiting a family in the countryside of a community known as Montura Ranch Estates.  A scenic South Florida drive, with cattle pastures of green grass to my right-hand side, and miles upon miles of orange groves to my left, it was on this lonely road that I had a remarkable encounter with the Lord.  My heart was overwhelmed with joy as I felt the Lord tell me that my acts of obedience would be greatly rewarded.  At that time I pastored a church of about 100 people, had an annual salary of about $28,000.00, drove an older mini van, and lived in a very small home on an acre tract of land.  Yet I could not remember a time in my life where I had been happier.  If one were to judge my life by the circumstances that surrounded me, they would see me as a failure.  But no one knew what I knew.  I personally heard the Lord tell me how pleased He was that I responded to His call. That was all I needed to have a clear vision for my future.

A new year always creates perspective

Two years earlier, in the month of January, I had struggled with the decision of starting a church.  The difficulty was not in the actual starting, but rather the fear of the unknown.   However, there was something different in that New Year; I had a fresh perspective. Though I was in my twenties at that time, I felt a sense of urgency that made me question, "If not this year, when?"  I knew that if I sat on what I knew was the Lord's nudging, I would probably never launch out.  What was I to do? 

You may not know much

I did not know much about pastoring.  I knew I had a heart for the Hispanic community and that they were as sheep without a shepherd.  Outside of that . . . yeah, you can fill in your own blanks.  You probably feel the same way.  Who was I to think that I could raise up a church in an agricultural community that experienced 25% unemployment during the months of June through September?  Let me share three things I feel were key to the success of the ministry:

1. In leaving, I had to honor my former pastor:  My pastor struggled dealing with the challenges brought on by the growth of the Spanish outreach that I was helping to lead.  One day, out of frustration he gave me the equivalent of what I call the "left foot of fellowship."  Regardless of his actions and words, his opinion of me still mattered.  Unfortunately, those feelings were not mutual.  Instead of my call being celebrated, it was met with resistance and criticism.  I had always felt pretty sure about who I was in the Lord, but during the previous six months before launching out, my pastor's scrutiny and criticism had left me in a state of confusion and doubt.  Those were necessary moments that forged me into a new man.  Life as I knew it changed and as I mentioned earlier, if given the opportunity I would not alter a moment of it.  I made sure I did not speak ill of him as I moved on.  The thousands of lives that were impacted and the congregation that to this day thrives is a testament of God's ability to miraculously transform lives.
    
2. I had to give my life to an endeavor I did not know would succeed:  Let's face it; to launch out and start a church is not a decision made cavalierly.   It is a big decision that completely changed my life forever.  I had more questions than I had answers, but nevertheless, I stepped out and went for it.  My pastor sent me out but quit speaking to me.  It was a very tough and difficult start, but now that I look back, I would not change any of it.  I saw the Lord come through for me in ways that are purely miraculous.
   
   
3. I had to manage it with excellence:  From day one, I made every effort to manage the business side of the church with the utmost of excellence.  Whether it was the way we took up and counted tithes and offerings, managed taxes, IRS compliance, or the caring of the infants during worship services, I made sure it was always done in the absolute best way possible for our small congregation.  Though small, we never surrendered any State or Federal forms late.  Each year we strategically planned my salary and housing allowance to take advantage of every possible and legitimate tax benefit.

What holds you back?

It is possible that this article is speaking directly to your heart by causing a stirring within.  You may be going through a similar struggle and you know that to finally surrender your will to God's is sure to cause you great discomfort.  Whether that is through persecution from your family, pastor and church, or just plain fear of the unknown.  I encourage you to attend the Ultimate Structure Conference.  The encouragement you will receive, will make it a day you will never forget. 

my closing words to you are simple.  Look at the life of Abraham, Moses, David, Joseph, Miriam, Peter, Paul and John.  No person has ever accomplished anything worth talking about without first going through a period of trials and tribulations.  They went through it and made it.  I am fully confident you will, too.  So, I beg the question once more.  What holds you back?