And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not…(Jeremiah 45:5 – ESV)
One of the ironic problems pastors in small or growing churches face happens when they call the people in the pews to service. Some, instead of coming to the leadership and asking what needs to be done, take it on themselves to decide what needs to be done. Then they ask the leadership to put their stamp of approval on it, and more, to participate and sometimes to actually do the thing. It gets out of control, and ironically people are getting geared up but you want them to slow down. We want people to do something, and we already have an idea in mind, yet they don’t or won’t come to us, they feel like they have this big thing they want or they feel like the church needs to tackle, and then they expect us to sign on, and its out of order.
It would seem that when we surrender to the person of Jesus, then the idea is that we can now just do what we want as far as service is concerned. It is like those movie stars who get saved and then they justify in their minds that of course they should have a big ministry because they have a big platform, etc. We need to submit before we serve, we don’t just get to serve in whatever way we want. We submit and do what needs to be done and then we find what we are suited for. It is part of the process of being integrated into a community of faith. God will then allow us to be used “properly”, but first God wants us to be humble enough to admit that we aren’t right to have the mentality of, “if I decide to serve I get to do it my own way”. That isn’t service that is selfish.
Some know they aren’t movie stars but they want to be ministry stars. “If I could just find a church that would let me do my thing, then they would see.” No you need to see that you are completely out of order. It is hard to tell people these things however, because they will get offended and stop doing anything and give the old “I was just trying to help like you asked” but they are wrong. They may be sacrificing time or money or talent or whatever but they are not sacrificing their will, not really. What they are saying, in effect, is, “Okay I’ll serve but you still aren’t going to tell me what to do.”
The would be ministry star has these projects that they want to do, when what they need to do is all the ordinary boring stuff that they just won’t do. You will hear the retort in many different, subtle forms, “But I have been trying to do this for so long and someone else gets their thing before mine”. They won’t be faithful in a little thing and they expect to be promoted in their big thing. How many people do you know that have big talent and never move on? Why? This is why! You must be faithful with little things and in another person’s ministry before God will let you and let them promote your own.
Here’s my advice, just suck it up, and let it go. When you are satisfied in God, and content to NEVER be able to do that great big ministry you have in mind, then maybe, God will give it to you, but not before. God forbid that He does allow you to have it when you aren’t submitted, because if you get to do it before you are fashioned in submission then what is happening is that God is allowing that, your dream, to be the means of your downfall. I tell you the truth!
It’s not about some heavy handed “this is what you must do” thing it is simply a matter of perspective. Instead of coming and asking how can I help we state, “this is the way I want to help”, and “will you help me”. It is turned on its head; the church is asked to help the member with their mission instead of the member asking to help the church with its mission.
Service without submission can be well-intentioned, but will be ineffective, it is often professional, paternalistic, problem solving, and wanting to do good by “sharing” from a position of superiority. The Bible deliberately pushes us into the area of discomfort, forcing us to accept a posture of submission until our pride is exposed, and our desire to be controlling is revealed. Instead we have no control over our own lives and yet we want to and think we can fix others.
Like Baruch, we must learn that significance is not prominence. God is watching, and we need to be faithful to give Him glory in all we do, whatever that may be (Colossians 3:23). Be a shining star in the world He creates for you, not in the one you create for yourself.
14 comments:
Amen! You must study your
Bible...
Your words were inspiring , refreshing, and convicting.
Thank you for being faithful to the Word and showing us how much it is not about us.
I wonder whether church size affects this. Do you know what I mean? A smaller church would have certain limitations on resources, whereas a bigger congregation could possibly have the freedom to try different things. If an idea does not conflict with the church's vision, I could see it being beneficial to say to say to someone, "that sounds good--how would you go about doing it?"
On the other hand, if the pastor (shepherd) is trying to lead the flock in a certain direction, and renegade sheep want to explore different paths, it can be disruptive and problematic.
I've been a member of two churches. The first one had a membership of 40. When we moved, we joined a church that's more like 400. It could be my imagination, but that seems to have made a difference.
What do you think?
Without trying to derail this into a discussion on church polity, I also wonder if this is more of a problem in churches that are congregational rule? A church that is clearly elder run, or even one that is supposedly congregational rule but where an unacknowledged heirarchy exists (deacon board; oldest members; etc.) might be less susceptible to this problem.
I would say I have only seen this kind of an issue once that I remember. I think there was some allowance for it by leadership because it seemed to be positive for a certain portion of the church, but in the long run it turned out to be detrimental.
Craver, I agree...
Taliesin, I agree...
Elder rule, yes, but it still happens...
My point is about the heart, this was an example of manifestation...
How about this one: "That's not my spiritual gift."
How about this one: "I don't feel called to do that"...
To which I say: "What do you mean, I just called you to it?"
Now here is something that bothers me. If children have to obey their parents, because God has given them a mom and dad and commanded each child to obey his parents, and if we have to obey our civil magistrates in a similar manner, why is it so easy to dismiss the request of a pastor or elder?
Once upon a time, I was an elder at a small church and I served on a nominating comittee. We prayed and labored over how the church could be best served...Who should be in what role? And then, after shuffling names around different positions until we finally agreed on who could do what jobs, we would ask them to accept the nomination for deacon, or treasurer or whatever.
I felt quite annoyed that some folks were able to decline so quickly and so easily.
No pressure...it's just that the elders and pastors, prayed much over this, and we feel that you were the right one at this time, but if you, by yourself, without seeking the Lord, think we should start over, that's fine...grrrrr.
10-6-06
This one still rings true, and it is part of the reason why our recent post "No Pets Allowed" is so relevant at all times...
Excellent points by all (post and comments inclusive).
As I was pondering this I couldn't help but think how the analogy of "using the tools" applies here as well. Okay Lord, this is what I'm willing to do, now gift me and bless me to do it well. Oh, and by the way, show everyone else they should bless my efforts as well by letting me do MY thing, MY way and show them it's Your will. After all, I'm the foreman, using Your tools.
Ow ow ow. Suddenly what I was internally moaning about the other day makes a little more sense.
On another note, it's so easy to fill roles in the church that are visible. Greeters, musicians, singers, speakers. There's often a waiting list. Yet no one shows up for Sunday school nursery duty even though names are posted on the overhead and in the bulletin? No one can be found to clean the church or empty the trash cans. It kinda goes back to how you have to be a good servant to be a good leader. Wanted: Servants!
Exactly...
In the wise words of my pastor:
"It's not how you feel...it's how you deal"
Who cares if you dont feel like you are called to serve there. God will honor your service cleaning the toilets and teach you a lesson if you shut up and listen.
I agree, of course, knowing your pastor as well as I do...
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