003 Looking Beyond the Rubble

Discerning God’s Future in a Time of Change

Focus on Relationships

Prayer

The book of Haggai takes place during a pivotal moment in Israel’s history.

The exile has ended. Some of God’s people have returned home. Yet the return has not produced the renewal many expected. The nation remains weak. Resources are limited. The population is small. The institutions that once gave Israel stability have been diminished.

When construction of the temple resumes, some of the older members of the community are discouraged. They remember the former temple. Compared to the past, the present appears smaller, weaker, and less impressive.

It is a deeply human moment.

When communities experience change, uncertainty, or decline, there is often a temptation to become preoccupied with what has been lost. Conversations can become dominated by comparisons, worries, limitations, and immediate challenges.

God’s response through Haggai is striking.

God does not deny the reality of the challenges. Nor does God offer a quick solution.

Instead, God invites the people into a larger vision.

“Take courage … work, for I am with you.”

The future will not be built through nostalgia. Neither will it be built through anxiety. It will be built through faithful discernment, courageous action, and confidence that God’s purposes are larger than the present moment.

Notice that God does not give the people a blueprint.

The work ahead will require many decisions. It will involve leadership, stewardship, organization, worship, relationships, and mission. The people will have to think carefully about how all these pieces fit together.

Healthy organizations rarely thrive because they excel in only one area. Faithful leadership requires attention to mission, relationships, stewardship, leadership development, organizational systems, and governance. The challenge is not choosing one of these priorities. The challenge is learning how they fit together.

Yet before any of those decisions are made, God reminds them of something more fundamental:

“My spirit abides among you; do not fear.” (v. 5)

Their future does not depend primarily on the strength of their institutions. It depends on their willingness to participate in God’s work among them.

As we think about the future of our shared ministry it may be tempting to focus on individual challenges in isolation. Finances matter. Leadership development matters. Congregational vitality matters. Governance matters. Partnerships matter.

Yet none of these exists independently of the others.

The task before us is not simply solving a problem. The task before us is discerning how God is calling us to build for the future. That work will require us to consider the whole picture rather than any single issue.

Haggai reminds us that faithful leadership begins not with fear, nostalgia, or quick fixes. It begins by trusting that God is still at work and then having the courage to join that work together.

Haggai 2:1–9

The Future Glory of the House

1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet:
2“Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 3‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?
4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD. ‘Work, for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of Hosts, 5‘according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit stands in your midst. Do not fear.’
6For thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7And I will shake all nations, and the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of Hosts. 8‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD of Hosts. 9‘The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of Hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of Hosts.”

The Future Glory of the House

1In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet:
2“Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 3‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?
4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD. ‘Work, for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of Hosts, 5‘according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit stands in your midst. Do not fear.’
6For thus says the LORD of Hosts: ‘Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7And I will shake all nations, and the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD of Hosts. 8‘The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD of Hosts. 9‘The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of Hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ declares the LORD of Hosts.”

Blessing for Obedience

10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet:
11Thus says the LORD of Hosts: “Ask the priests about the law: 12If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?” The priests answered and said, “No.”
13Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It becomes unclean.”
14Then Haggai answered and said, “So is this people, and so is this nation before me,” declares the LORD, “and so is every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.
15Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, 16how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17I struck you and all the work of your hands with blight and mildew and hail, yet you did not turn to me,” declares the LORD.
18Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider: 19Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.”

The LORD's Promise to Zerubbabel

20The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, ‘I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother.
23In that day,’ declares the LORD of Hosts, ‘I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD of Hosts.”

Notes

v01–03Some of the older generation remembered Solomon's temple and were discouraged by the modest appearance of the new structure.
v04–05God's answer to discouragement is not architectural grandeur but his abiding presence.
v05The covenant established at the exodus remains the foundation of God's relationship with his people.
v06–07The shaking of heaven, earth, and nations points beyond the immediate restoration to God's larger redemptive purposes.
v07The arrival of the nations' treasures emphasizes God's sovereignty over all peoples and resources.
v08God reminds the people that all wealth ultimately belongs to him.
v09The future glory of the temple will surpass its former glory because of God's presence and purpose.
v09Peace here reflects the broader concept of shalom—wholeness, blessing, and reconciliation.

Notes

v01–03Some of the older generation remembered Solomon's temple and were discouraged by the modest appearance of the new structure.
v04–05God's answer to discouragement is not architectural grandeur but his abiding presence.
v05The covenant established at the exodus remains the foundation of God's relationship with his people.
v06–07The shaking of heaven, earth, and nations points beyond the immediate restoration to God's larger redemptive purposes.
v07The arrival of the nations' treasures emphasizes God's sovereignty over all peoples and resources.
v08God reminds the people that all wealth ultimately belongs to him.
v09The future glory of the temple will surpass its former glory because of God's presence and purpose.
v09Peace here reflects the broader concept of shalom—wholeness, blessing, and reconciliation.
v11–14The priests confirm that uncleanness spreads more readily than holiness, illustrating Israel's spiritual condition.
v14Ritual activity cannot compensate for covenant unfaithfulness.
v15–19The people are called to compare their former hardship with the blessing that follows renewed obedience.
v19God's promise of blessing comes before any visible harvest appears.
v21–22The overthrow of kingdoms demonstrates God's rule over world powers.
v23The signet ring symbolizes royal authority, legitimacy, and divine favor.
v23Zerubbabel becomes a representative of God's continuing covenant purposes for the line of David.

Vocabulary

v03כָּבוֹד (kāḇôḏ)
“Glory.” Honor, splendor, and manifested significance.
v04חָזַק (ḥāzaq)
“Be strong.” To stand firm with courage and resolve.
v05בְּרִית (bĕrîṯ)
“Covenant.” A binding relationship established by divine commitment.
v05רוּחַ (rûaḥ)
“Spirit.” God's active and abiding presence among his people.
v06רָעַשׁ (rāʿaš)
“To shake.” To cause trembling, upheaval, or disruption.
v07חֶמְדַּת (ḥemdaṯ)
“Treasure” or “desirable things.” Valued wealth brought from the nations.
v09שָׁלוֹם (šālôm)
“Peace.” Wholeness, well-being, and covenant blessing.

Vocabulary

v03כָּבוֹד (kāḇôḏ)
“Glory.” Honor, splendor, and manifested significance.
v04חָזַק (ḥāzaq)
“Be strong.” To stand firm with courage and resolve.
v05בְּרִית (bĕrîṯ)
“Covenant.” A binding relationship established by divine commitment.
v05רוּחַ (rûaḥ)
“Spirit.” God's active and abiding presence among his people.
v06רָעַשׁ (rāʿaš)
“To shake.” To cause trembling, upheaval, or disruption.
v07חֶמְדַּת (ḥemdaṯ)
“Treasure” or “desirable things.” Valued wealth brought from the nations.
v09שָׁלוֹם (šālôm)
“Peace.” Wholeness, well-being, and covenant blessing.
v12קֹדֶשׁ (qōḏeš)
“Holy.” Set apart for God and his purposes.
v13טָמֵא (ṭāmēʾ)
“Unclean.” Ritually defiled and unfit for holy use.
v17שִׁדָּפוֹן (šiddāp̄ôn)
“Blight.” Crop damage caused by harsh conditions.
v17יֵרָקוֹן (yērāqôn)
“Mildew.” Plant disease causing agricultural loss.
v23חוֹתָם (ḥôṯām)
“Signet ring.” An official seal representing authority and ownership.
v23בָּחַר (bāḥar)
“To choose.” To select according to divine purpose and favor.

Chapter 1 is below for more context.

Haggai 1

The Call to Rebuild the House of the LORD

1In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
2Thus says the LORD of Hosts: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’”
3Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet: 4“Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
5Now therefore, thus says the LORD of Hosts: Consider your ways. 6You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never become filled. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes.”
7Thus says the LORD of Hosts: Consider your ways. 8Go up to the hills and bring wood and rebuild the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the LORD.
9“You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” declares the LORD of Hosts. “Because of my house, which lies in ruins, while each of you runs to his own house. 10Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hills, upon the grain, the new wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon man and beast, and upon all their labor.”

The People Obey

12Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.
13Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD's message: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

Notes

v01The book is carefully dated, rooting Haggai's ministry within a specific historical setting after the exile.
v01Zerubbabel represents the civil leadership of Judah, while Joshua represents its priestly leadership.
v02The people justify delay by claiming the proper time for rebuilding has not yet arrived.
v04The contrast between paneled houses and the ruined temple exposes misplaced priorities.
v05–06Economic frustration is interpreted as a covenant consequence rather than mere misfortune.
v05“Consider your ways” becomes a central theme of the chapter.
v08Rebuilding the temple is connected with God's glory and pleasure.
v09–11The drought and poor harvests are presented as divine discipline intended to awaken repentance.
v12The people respond positively to the prophetic message, unlike many earlier generations.
v12Fear of the LORD here reflects reverence, submission, and renewed covenant loyalty.
v13God's promise, “I am with you,” addresses the deepest need of the community.
v14The work begins because God himself stirs the hearts of the leaders and the people.
v14–15Genuine repentance results in concrete action rather than words alone.

Vocabulary

v01דָּבַר־יְהוָה (dāḇar-YHWH)
“Word of the LORD.” A message originating from God.
v01פָּחוֹת (pāḥôṯ)
“Governor.” A provincial ruler under imperial authority.
v04חָרֵב (ḥārēḇ)
“Ruined” or “desolate.” Left in a state of destruction.
v05שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם (śîmû lĕḇaḇḵem)
“Set your heart.” To carefully consider or reflect upon.
v06זָרַע (zāraʿ)
“To sow.” To plant seed for harvest.
v08בָּנָה (bānâ)
“To build.” To construct or restore.
v08כָּבֵד (kāḇēḏ)
“To be glorified.” To receive honor and weight.
v10טַל (ṭal)
“Dew.” Moisture essential for agricultural productivity.
v11חֹרֶב (ḥōreḇ)
“Drought.” A prolonged lack of rain resulting in scarcity.
v12שְׁאֵרִית (šĕʾērîṯ)
“Remnant.” The portion of the people preserved by God.
v13מַלְאַךְ (malʾāḵ)
“Messenger.” One sent to deliver an authoritative message.
v14עוּר (ʿûr)
“To stir up.” To awaken, arouse, or motivate.
v14רוּחַ (rûaḥ)
“Spirit.” The inner disposition, will, or motivating power of a person.
  1. What challenges was the community facing in Haggai’s day that seem similar to challenges facing churches today?
  1. Why do communities so often focus on what has been lost rather than what God may still be doing?
  1. What does it mean for us to hear God’s words, “Take courage … work, for I am with you” in this season?
  1. Which dimensions of our shared ministry will require attention if we are to build faithfully for the future?
  1. As we consider possible pathways forward, how do we ensure that our decisions are guided by God’s mission rather than by fear or nostalgia?
  1. What signs of God’s ongoing work do you already see among us?

Check-In & Mutual Prayer

Where have you experienced God bringing new life after a season of disappointment, loss, or uncertainty?

What gives you hope for the church right now, even amid the challenges we face?

What is one way this group can better support you in your ministry, leadership, or faith journey during the coming year?

Focus on the Future

The challenge facing the people in Haggai’s day was not simply rebuilding a structure. It was discerning how to participate in God’s future after a season of disruption and uncertainty.

Leadership teams face similar moments today. Before discussing budgets, staffing, programs, partnerships, or structures, it is often helpful to establish shared principles that guide decision-making.

The following framework offers one possible approach.

Planning Framework for the Future

The purpose of this document is not to propose immediate solutions or predetermined outcomes. Rather, it is intended to provide a framework for discernment we consider the future of our common ministry.

Before discussing specific strategies, pathways, staffing models, financial changes, partnerships, or structural adjustments, it may be helpful to establish a common set of principles that guide how decisions are made.

Healthy organizations typically begin with mission, values, and governing principles before moving into strategic planning. Likewise, Presbyterian polity calls councils of the church to engage in prayerful discernment regarding the mission and ministry entrusted to them (Book of Order G-3.0101).

The following principles are offered as a draft for discussion and refinement.

Draft Principles for Discernment and Planning

  1. Mission Must Drive Decisions

The purpose of planning is not institutional preservation but faithful participation in God’s mission.

Financial stewardship, staffing, property management, governance structures, and ministry programs should all be evaluated according to how effectively they strengthen congregational vitality, develop leaders, and advance Christ’s mission.

This principle reflects both Scripture and Presbyterian polity. The Book of Order identifies councils as instruments for discerning and guiding the mission of the church (G-3.0101).

Guiding Question: How does this decision strengthen participation in God’s mission?

  1. Stewardship Requires a Whole-System Perspective

Healthy organizations understand that finances, staffing, leadership development, congregational vitality, governance, property, relationships, and mission are interconnected.

No ministry, program, staff position, committee, asset, or budget category should be evaluated in isolation. Changes in one area inevitably affect the health of the whole system.

This principle reflects the work of Peter Senge (The Fifth Discipline), whose concept of systems thinking is widely taught in leadership, management, and nonprofit governance. Sustainable improvement rarely results from isolated interventions. Instead, leaders must understand how multiple factors interact to create long-term outcomes.

Ronald Heifetz’s work on adaptive leadership similarly argues that complex challenges require leaders to examine entire systems rather than search for simple technical fixes.

Guiding Question: How does this decision affect the health and sustainability of the entire system?

  1. Significant Decisions Should Follow Transparent and Disciplined Processes

Healthy organizations establish clear expectations, conduct regular evaluations, communicate openly, and make decisions through predictable processes.

Major changes should ordinarily emerge from careful assessment, objective information, meaningful dialogue, and prayerful discernment rather than isolated concerns or short-term pressures.

Research published through Harvard Business Review consistently identifies procedural fairness, transparency, and trust as essential characteristics of healthy organizations. Presbyterian governance likewise emphasizes shared discernment and accountability.

Guiding Question: Has this issue been reviewed through a process that is fair, transparent, and consistent?

  1. Faithful Stewardship Requires Active Management of All Resources

Ministry boards have responsibility for a wide range of resources including finances, investments, endowments, restricted funds, property, contractual agreements, leadership capacity, and institutional knowledge.

All significant assets, liabilities, partnerships, contractual agreements, investments, properties, endowments, and restricted resources should be regularly reviewed to determine whether they continue to advance the mission and long-term sustainability of the organization.

This principle reflects both biblical stewardship and accepted nonprofit governance standards. Effective boards exercise fiduciary responsibility through active oversight of all significant resources rather than focusing solely on annual operating budgets.

Guiding Question: Are all significant resources being stewarded effectively in support of mission?

  1. Leadership Development Is a Strategic Investment

The future health of our common ministry depends upon the development of pastors, ruling elders, Commissioned Ruling Elders, and emerging leaders.

Leadership development should be viewed as a core responsibility rather than an optional program.

The Book of Order repeatedly emphasizes the responsibility of councils to equip and support leaders for ministry (G-3.0301; G-3.0307). Leadership research consistently identifies leadership development as one of the strongest predictors of long-term organizational vitality.

Guiding Question: How does this decision contribute to developing leaders for the future?

  1. Long-Term Challenges Require Long-Term Thinking

Many of the challenges facing congregations and presbyteries have developed over decades and will not be resolved through short-term actions.

Decisions should therefore be evaluated according to their likely impact three, five, and ten years into the future.

Adaptive leadership research, particularly the work of Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky, demonstrates that sustainable change requires patience, experimentation, and long-term commitment.

Guiding Question: How will this decision affect the church’s capacity for ministry in future generations?

  1. Trust, Collaboration, and Shared Responsibility Matter

The future of our common ministry is not the responsibility of a single committee, congregation, elected leader, or staff member.

Meaningful change requires trust, collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership.

Patrick Lencioni’s work on organizational health identifies trust as the foundation upon which effective leadership teams are built. Presbyterian governance likewise assumes that discernment occurs through councils working together under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Guiding Question: Does this decision strengthen trust, collaboration, and shared ownership throughout the presbytery?

Draft Principles for Discernment and Planning

  1. Establish Principles

The board reviews, refines, and ultimately adopts a set of guiding principles for discernment and planning.

Immediate Action
  • Discuss and revise these draft principles.
  • Identify additional principles if needed.
  • Schedule a planning retreat dedicated to finalizing and adopting a shared planning framework.
  1. Evaluate Potential Pathways

Once principles have been adopted, the board evaluates possible pathways for the future through the lens of those principles.

Potential pathways include:

Pathway 1: Strengthen the Existing System

Focus on stewardship, leadership development, accountability, congregational support, and organizational health.

Pathway 2: Restructure for Mission

Focus on policy reform, asset stewardship, intervention practices, church transitions, and alignment of resources with mission.

Pathway 3: Build a Regional Ministry Network

Focus on collaboration, shared services, leadership development, and regional partnerships.

The board may ultimately determine that elements of all three pathways are necessary.

  1. Develop an Integrated Strategic Framework

Rather than selecting a single pathway, the board develops a comprehensive strategy that incorporates the most promising elements of each approach.

This phase should include:

  • Identification of strategic priorities.
  • Measurable goals.
  • Timelines.
  • Resource requirements.
  • Leadership responsibilities.
  • Assessment metrics.
  1. Broad Constituent Engagement

Before major implementation begins:

  • Present the framework to stakeholders.
  • Conduct listening sessions.
  • Hold one or more retreats.
  • Refine the framework based upon feedback.
  • Build broad ownership throughout the organization.
  1. Implementation and Continuous Learning

Before major implementation begins:

  • Implement agreed-upon priorities.
  • Monitor progress regularly.
  • Review key metrics annually.
  • Adjust plans as circumstances change.
  • Celebrate progress and learn from setbacks.

The objective is not merely institutional survival. The objective is healthier congregations, stronger leaders, faithful stewardship, and deeper participation in God’s mission.

Time Budget

Some of the most important work of the meeting has already taken place. The board has spent time attending to vision, relationships, prayer, and discernment. The remaining agenda should support those priorities rather than replace them.

Advise and Counsel

Each team or committee as an opportunity to seek advice and guidance from the board based on the larger board strategy and goals.

Action Items

Each team or committee as an opportunity offer action items to the board in pre-written motions.

Management and Structure

Management and structural requirements are import, but cannot be in the drivers seat. Such issues balance relationships and vision, but do not overcome them.

Benediction and Blessing

Scripture on this page is from The Shared Word Translation (SWT), an ongoing translation project within ChurchCommons.org.

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