At first it seems impossible. How can a Boeing 747, weighing nearly one million pounds, ever get off the ground? Nothing that big could suspend itself in air. Feathery birds can fly but not massive tubes of metal. Nope, it just can't happen. It's impossible. 500 tons of shiny steel will never be airborne.

But the truth is; it has to fly. In fact, it can't do anything but fly.

Here's why: When an aircraft moves down a runway the air pressure around the wings changes. The air moving over the rounded surface on the topside of the wing is forced to travel in a curve. As it does, its air speed increases which causes the air pressure to drop. Meanwhile, on the bottom side of the wing, the air moves in a straight line and, because it's moving slower than the air on top of the wing, the pressure is intensified.

Now, here's where it really gets exciting! Any high-pressure area always moves toward a low-pressure area. Meaning, the underneath-air pushes up on the wings trying to get to the area over the wings. Therefore, the faster the 747 rolls down the runway, the greater the pressure on the bottom of the wings. And the greater the underside-pressure the more lift to the aircraft.

As the jet increases its speed there's more and more pressure pushing on the bottom of the wings. And in moments, bingo! One million pounds of 747 lift off the ground.

What at first appeared impossible becomes an everyday occurrence, because it has to. It's not a miracle, it's simply a physical law designed by the Architect of the Universe.

The role of the church-God's handmade instrument to engage and change the culture-is not dissimilar to the principle of flight. Everything tells you it's impossible, there's too much opposition, the odds are against us. But, whether your church is a 747 or an Ultralight, divine rules apply. The same great Architect who crafted the universe has also birthed the Church. And, He's laid out biblical principles that govern her survival and effectiveness.

And yet, at times, it still seems impossible; unmet needs are staggering, the leadership shortage continues, sin abounds, and staff clashes threaten to bring down years of ministry. It all seems to spell doom to His church.

But, this Master Builder has issued an iron-clad guarantee: "The gates of Hell will not prevail against it." This is His church, and His promise is irrefutable.

The job of leading His church is daunting to be sure. But, the great Architect has purposely placed His handpicked recruits-you and me-to insure the proper building and maintenance of the Body. He's even gifted us with the necessary tools for the work. Nothing will derail His church.

Ours is no ordinary role. No calling in the world is quite like God's call to lead His people. Pastoring is the ultimate life and death profession. Our job requirements differ from every other occupation; the demands are intense, the hours are long, and the stakes are high. Tending wayward sheep has never been easy.

But, it is doable.

At times our jobs may look impossible. But in every generation frail leaders, just like us, have taken the reigns for the task. And, surprisingly, God does the undoable. He uses mortal pastors to accomplish His work. It's not a miracle, it's simply a spiritual law designed by this same Architect.