Temporarily/Permanently

Other people can stop your dreams temporarily, but only you can do it permanently, especially if your dreams are bigger than those who desire your to fail. Many pastors have had their dreams shattered by someone in their congregation who did not receive the vision God had given them for their church. Those kind of people will stop you or at least hinder you from doing what God has said to do.

Whether it's a treasurer who acts like the church's money is theirs, or an elder who doesn't want change, or even a church member who decides that fulfilling your vision will put their position in jeopardy-these kind of individuals will stop you temporarily from fulfilling your commission from God. The only one that can stop your dream permanently is YOU. God said that if He was for you, who could be against you. I know from experience that sometimes it's easier to roll over and play dead than pursue what God has placed in your heart, but if I had to do it all over again I would have shaken the apple tree a little more and pressed forward with what God had placed in my heart to be done.

It's easy to give up a dream that you have to fight for because frankly you get tired of fighting. You know it as well as I, some people are never going to change, even if Jesus were to be their pastor. And if statistics are right between 700-1500 ministers give up their churches each week in America because they let somebody stop their dreams permanently and just give up on their ministry. 

I challenge every pastor to hold onto your dream and pursue it until you accomplish what God wants you to accomplish. Nobody can do it the way God spoke to you to get it done. In spite of all the rhetoric you hear from well-meaning individuals who say there is a season for your labor and once it is passed it's somebody's else's turn, don't believe that junk. Others may hinder you, but hold on and keep working. Your God will finish what He started in your life and use you in spite of that bunch that wants to take you down. If He is for you then stand and don't give in or up! Keep your dream alive!