“Start With Why”

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead, I have called you friends, 
for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit
— fruit that will last. (John 15:15-15)

WHY do we – as a church – do what we do?  It is because of what we believe.  

A few years ago I read a book to prepare for a conference.  It was called “Start With Why” by a man named Simon Sinek.  Mr. Sinek is a motivational writer and speaker whose focus is on reminding businesses why they exist.  In doing so, he uses what he calls “The Golden Circle.”  

Take a look at this diagram.  

“WHAT” is on the outside.    It describes the actions we do; the ministries we coordinate.  

“HOW” is in the middle.  It describes the plans or strategies we use to guide our “WHAT” actions. 

“WHY” is on the inside.  It describes the belief we hold that fuels the “HOW” and “WHAT.”

Sinek argues that very few have the wisdom to start with “WHY.”  While pretty much everybody knows WHAT they are doing, fewer people and/or organizations think about HOW they are doing it, and then shockingly few truly understand WHY.  His claim, therefore, is that we tend to live our lives backwards – we waste time and energy worrying about and trying to coordinate the “WHATs” rather than letting them fall into place naturally when we truly understand the “WHYs.”  

The church certainly has something to learn from this!  We need to firmly establish the “WHY” of what we do as a church in our hearts if we are to “succeed.”  

Check out John 15:15-16 (above).  Jesus says that His disciples are to know His business.  When they do, they will know that they are chosen and appointed to “go and bear fruit.”  

WHY do we do what we do?  We do it because we recognize the call – the appointment – of our Master!  The question is: are we close enough to Him to truly know our Master’s business?  

If our belief in Him is certain and sincere, we will truly recognize His call to be His fruit-bearers to a world that needs His love, His joy, His peace, and so forth!  

If we understand it rightly: it is WHY we live!  May your every HOW and WHAT reflect this truth! “May the Lord bless and keep you …” always!  Pastor Bill

 PS: If you want to see the book masterfully condensed, just check out his famous “Ted Talk”.