Passmore: Christians should be 'culture-changers' instead of 'one-hit-wonders'

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DAYTONA BEACH (FBW)—Every Florida Baptist should be a "culture-changer," said Tim Passmore, pastor of Woodland Church in Bradenton, to messengers and guests to the Florida Baptist State Convention annual meeting Nov. 13. He cited Moses as an ex­ample of one who moved his people from slavery to proprietors of the Promised Land.

Passmore told those assembled he had discovered in his 17 years of experience that "ministry is hard, but it is worth it." With vision and passion we accept God's invitation to join Him in the "world-changing business," he said.

The pastor listed five requirements for "culture-changing."

PASSMORE

Each Christian needs a mountain-top experience. Just as Exodus 3 describes how Moses was changed by God's speaking from a burning bush, mountain top ex­periences be­come holy ground on­ly when we say "yes" to God. Moses' commission to lead the Hebrews out of slavery and God's assurance of His presence with him gave Moses "conviction, confidence and courage."

"Without a mountain-top experience, you will sway," Passmore said.

In contrast to mountain top experiences, some pastors experience "parking lot experiences" in which the deacons confront them with complaints.

"My response is 'when did this become all about you?'" he said.

Culture-changing Christians need to move past their pasts. Moses' past included living in a king's palace, and living on the lam while fleeing a murder charge. He also be­lieved himself to be a "bad preacher."

"We say 'what if' and God says 'I will,'" Passmore said.

Moses became a "culture changer" when he recognized the value of his future. Pass­more said two types of members color the future of our congregations. "One-hit-wonders" do not want to move beyond past successes; other members catch a vision of the future and "do whatever it takes to accomplish it. God raises up leaders to lead His people into the future.

"Moses was the right man at the right time in the right place to do the right things," he said.

To change our culture, Christians must become rescuers. Exodus 3:7 records God's observing His people's misery and hearing their cries for help. God led Moses to also see and hear the people He was called to lead. His empathy made him a better leader. Church members need also to see and hear the miseries of their communities.

Passmore said an added benefit of community ministry is that Christians "quit complaining." Jesus did not criticize non-Christians' naturally non-Christian actions; but reserved His criticism for be­lievers who did not love them.

To change the culture, Chris­tians must "see what is on the other side of the sea." As the Egyptian army ap­proached and the Red Sea loomed ahead of the He­brews, they be­came discouraged, wishing for yester­day's security in Egypt. God knew, however, that He was going to do something "amazing" with His people.

When things get tough, we com­pare the past with the present, he said. Instead, we need to look to the future from the present, and seek the route to get there. Seeing the fu­­ture "changes you from a wimp to a winner."

To become a "culture-changer," Chris­tians must "stop putting it off." As Moses was directed to "now go," we must follow God's direction with urgency. Leaders create confidence in the future through "collective IQ;" through the power of enthusiasm, which Passmore called a leader's greatest weapon; and through creative tension in focusing on the burden to change.

Culture changers celebrate in another mountain-top experience like the first, Passmore said.

"We worship because He calls us and because we followed," he said. "Now, what are you waiting for?"