Wednesday, February 15, 2023
by
Melinda Johnstone
As the mighty rapids of gift activation and the increasing flow in the brook of Inspiring Worship Services converge, we will see the rivers of living waters truly flow in a majestic expression of the kingdom of God on earth at Springbrook.
At Springbrook Community Church, Huntley, Illinois, there is a clear and enthusiastic, "yes and amen" to God and his ways. And the "yes and amen" has gotten much louder and clearer over the last year. But here are a few of their key no-no's:
Companionship on the front lines of serving, travelling sojourners on the road of learning, and a willing and constant apprentice by their side, is a must of leadership at Springbrook. No one should be alone. Pastor Richard Wollard knows that it benefits no one to be in isolation and it has diverse and widespread benefits if things are done together. Leadership that builds others up and builds them into strong and connected teams is their aim—anything less than that gets a big “no” from team Springbrook. Richard, the Senior Pastor, has, himself, the gift of leadership and is very passionate that leaders will follow in the footsteps of their Great Leader, the man from Nazareth, who takes others with him, raises them up, and draws effective teams around himself.
Serving others must not be to the detriment of one’s own wellbeing. The wellbeing of the individual from being connected to the Vine is of top priority in Springbrook. This wellbeing must flow from within and then out to the wider spheres of spouses, families, church family, and community. If the inner sanctum is under pressure and strain, the wellbeing of the wider community will be threatened. Richard and his team prioritise one another’s wellbeing, checking in with one another regularly, so no one is left to suffer silently. To be an emotionally healthy church that can share problems, go deeper with one another, pray for one another and help with the challenges of life, is of great importance at Springbrook.
GROWTH during a Pandemic? It’s possible. Springbrook did it. They figured out how to move their ministry beyond the confines of their building and beyond forced isolation. Having laid out a clear discipleship pathway before Covid manifested, they already had what it took to keep charging ahead. So, even during the worst of Covid, they had new families and new members becoming part of their community. Some had joined online small groups and become fully fledged members and had never even stepped foot in the building!
During the pandemic, they looked for ways to serve. They reached out to the local frontline health workers in their community to give emotional support; offered their church car park for a blood collection site, empowered small group leaders with zoom subscriptions so every member could be contacted and supported throughout the unknown emotional landscape of isolation. They spent time loving their buildings so when their people returned, it would reflect a sense of freshness and affection for this spiritual home. They raised financial support online to be strong enough to keep serving their church family and community. They lead the way through the sea and made it to the other side, stronger.
Richard was introduced to the NCD 3 Color Gift Test 20 years ago and has been a passionate advocate of gift discovery and gift activation ever since. Getting introduced to God without being made aware of his good gift-giving nature gets a big “no” from Richard. This personal drive of Richard’s has helped propel the church’s greatest strength to even greater heights. Gift-based ministry is a very loud, resonant “yes” and to be in the dark about how God has a unique purpose for you will get a “no, definitely not good enough!”, from Springbrook.
The NCD church survey is designed to empirically show the health of your church. The good... and the bad. Neither of these are a reason for personal pride, or, individual shame as a leader. For those at Springbrook, it is becoming natural to rally and join as one to celebrate, and solve, together.
Although Richard’s passion and attention to gift activation has had a large influence, no one person is responsible for creating a high gift-activation culture. And no one person is responsible for a lower atmosphere of inspiration—all must reflect on their part to play in creating a vibe of inspiration when gathering together. And they are. Even their current limitation of Inspiring Worship Services has new rivers of living waters starting to flow.
As the mighty rapids of gift activation and the increasing flow in the brook of Inspiring Worship Services converge, we will see the rivers of living waters truly flow in a majestic expression of the kingdom of God on earth.
Connecting their awareness of their giftedness to their unique part to play in inspiring one another more, is a journey they are still learning. But what the people at Springbrook say 'yes' and 'no' to is opening the channels for new life to flow through, so that even during a plague, they are like a “spring whose waters never run out" (Isaiah 58:11).
gift-based ministry inspiring worship service need-oriented evangelism
Releasing Rivers of Living Water
