David E. Parks

Question — What do airplanes and churches have in common? Answer — they can both crash and burn if their leaders lose sight of "the big picture."

In a recent edition of the National Aeronautic Association's Newsletter, For The Record, this problem was addressed under the title "Cockpit Leadership Losing the 'Big Picture.'" Eric N. Wickfield spoke to a group of pilots at the Aero Club of New England's annual "Crash Course" safety seminar.

In part he said, "There have been many well publicized instances where a pilot, or even an entire crew, became fixated on a mechanical or system abnormality. The fixation became so total that they lost situational awareness and, tragically, the aircraft as well. In one instance, a highly experienced crew flew a wide body into the ground as they investigated an unlit landing gear bulb; in another, the crew of a four engine jet ran the aircraft out of fuel as they pursued a mechanical problem; in yet another, a three pilot crew flew a fully loaded airliner into the side of a mountain as they debated an ATC clearance. Task fixation is an indication of a loss of situational awareness. Set priorities. Assign tasks. Fly the aircraft first, everything else is secondary" (underlining mine).

"Fly the Aircraft first, everything else is secondary." Sounds like common sense doesn't it? But! More than one congregation has "gone down in flames" because the members and leaders lost sight of "the big picture" and forgot to "fly the airplane first."

Jesus said that the primary reason he had come into the world was to "seek and to save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10).In spite of all the challenges he endured, Jesus fulfilled his mission because he never forgot the big picture — souls were at stake.

As he neared the end he explained "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour" (John 12:27).

What is the "big picture" for the church today? Uncountable multitudes are headed for eternal doom and God has called us to take the pure, unadulterated soul saving gospel to a lost and dying world — "fly the plane first everything else is secondary!"

Too many Christians are majoring in minors. Christians are trying every gadget, gismo and whiz-bang widget imaginable to revive dead churches. They are telling us we need to get with it — special music, solos choruses, drama, special effects. Be more like the world they tell us. Go along to get along.

Still others fight to maintain human traditions that were expedient to yesterday's culture as the solution .

We should each remember that "The gospel is God's power to salvation" (Romans 1:16). Forget the gimmicks! Forget yesterday's customs. Forget the "foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." (1 Timothy 2:23).

When we proclaim the Gospel, God will give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). Only the faithful and consistent proclamation of the gospel from our pulpits and our daily conversation can produce real growth. All other supposed growth is a house of cards that will not endure the judgment.

© August 31, 1998 David E. Parks
dave@wcofc.org

Changes last made 03/30/07 12:05 PM
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