There was a couple who, wishing to be involved in a church that was actively involved in ministry, searched for a church family with which to join. This couple had spent many years in full-time and part-time church ministry, prison ministry, and children’s home ministry. They had served in the capacity of Sunday school teacher, Minister of Music, Children’s pastors, and Youth Pastors and processed many talents and abilities. She was an organizer. God had given her the ability to take what was and organize it so that it ran more efficiently. She would work, behind the scenes, planning and setting things in motion, so that it ran smoothly and, although her efforts often went unnoticed, the lack of these efforts would surely have been detected. God had given him talents in music, singing and oratory. He was a teacher and expositor. Their gifts were complimentary and served to enhance the ministry of each other as well as others.
In their efforts to find a church were they could serve, they would always consider their children. Whenever they visited a church, they would try to ensure their children would be ministered to, in order to avoid the “minister’s plague”. The minister’s plague is a debilitating disease that afflicts ministers’ families. Ministers who put such an emphasis on ministering to others, often neglect their own families, resulting in spouses who turn to others in order to have their needs met, and children who gain a certain reputation due to lack of parental supervision and/or guidance. (It is often said that “The preacher’s kids are the worst kids in the church.”)
This couple searched and searched, but were always disappointed when, after attending a church for some time, they would find that their present congregation was a “nominal” church; that the members were happy to be a social organization, and that the pastorate was happy with the status quo, ignorant as to how to change it, unwilling to shake up the apple cart, or overwhelmed by the amount of work ahead. After all, if a church has a good number of congregants and the bills are being paid, then many a church folk will settle in and ride this train to glory. After all, people really don't like change.
Early on, the couple made sure that the pastor knew their heart and abilities. They laid it out for him to clearly understand, that they were ready to get involved and work. They desired no position and wished to displace no one. They merely desired to enhance the ministries of the church. And they waited… The man saw that there was no one to play the guitar and volunteered. When needed, he would play other instruments, due to absence of fellow musicians (due to work or illness). He expressed interest in teaching. And he waited… The couple would attend church dinners. They desired to have friends, in the church. They felt that because they were outsiders, they should not intrude into already established cliques. They would rather be invited. They sat together, alone, hoping for an invitation. And they waited… The woman hoped for friends that she could share life with, but she was shy and reserved and wished for an invitation to friendship. “At least” she thought “the pastor’s wife will understand and reach out.” And she waited… Finally an invitation came. “Maybe we should accept,” said the woman “Even if it is from the senior’s ministry and we are no where near their age.” And she waited…Their children hoped that someone would reach out to them. And they waited...
The couple, and their children, got tired of waiting...they began their search again...
How many times does this story play itself out on the stage of churches around us? Are we the ones that should be looking around our church for those who are waiting for someone to reach out and make the effort? Are we the minister or leader that needs to reevaluate our role as a manager and learn to nurture those new people, motivate those cold people, and equip those people who are ready to serve? Are we the person who holds a position, in church, that is satisfied with having a position, for position's sake? Do we have a sense of urgency for those who are within our reach or do we settle for going to church, socializing with our little group of friends, being “friendly” to everyone without putting in the effort to actually become friends with anyone new? Are we satisfied with the way things are?
Showing posts with label ability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ability. Show all posts
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
TRUTH, CALLING AND ANNOINTING
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi3813670937/
John Wayne has always been one of my favorite actors. He always portrayed the kind of guy that I would like to be; tough but fair, strong yet gentle. As John Bernard Books, in The Shootist he said "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." When he was of a mind, he could kick butt with the best of them.
When I read the Bible, I tend to be pulled to characters who fall into the same category. David and his Mighty Men (the "Dirty Dozen" of the old Testament, right?) are recorded as having such exploits that their story would make a great action/thriller movie. The Bible records where each of them would find themselves in a bad situation and the Holy Spirit would anoint them and there they go...they would fight and fight, usually against great odds, while all the while being poorly armed. They would defeat a bunch of highly trained, motivated soldiers and then move on (some might say that they "kicked butt and took names").
Then comes Shamgar. This Old Testament hero wiped the floor with 600 soldiers, with the anointing of the holy spirit. Wow! All he had was an ox goad (8 ft pointy stick) and his God...and that would suffice.
So, why is it that we have people in church who seem to misunderstand this very simple biblical concept: If God anoints you to do something, then you will be awesome? People make silly comments like "She can't sing very well, but isn't her singing anointed?" or "Pastor Mike. That choir may be well rehearsed, but we are anointed!" They were awful! Also, I am also reminded, when people want to justify allowing a soloist who can't carry a tune in a bucket, that "The Bible says to 'Make a joyful noise'." How often that is misquoted, and out of context.
People often covet gifts that they do not posses. They fail to realize that God does not bless all of his children with the same gifts and talents. We aren't all arms in this body, you know. So many lust after the position of vocal chords, though. I have to remind people that if God calls you to do something then he will also equip you to do that something. Therefore, common sense dictates that if he has not equipped, then maybe he has not called. I once was asked to organize a youth praise band, as I am both a musician and singer. I started off our first meeting with "If you are called to sing, then you will sing. If you are not called to sing, then we need to find where your gifts and talents lie and help you to develop them in that area of ministry." I was not allowed to tell these interested teens that they could not sing. Instead, I was instructed to give them a dead microphone, so we did not offend them or their parents. (Remember the Andy Griffith episode where Barney was given the dead mic and someone else sang from back stage?) Needless to say, but I will anyway, I would not do it. How can I, as a professing Christian, lie to these kids and their parents? What happened to "Speak the truth, in love?" Wouldn't it make sense that if we taught people that we would tell them the truth, even if it hurt, that they could always trust us to be honest. If not, would we not teach our congregations to suspect our honestly?
There are many things that I lack the knowledge and skills to accomplish. I truly believe that an intelligent person knows what they don't know. Therefore they know what they need to learn to avoid ignorance. If God has not given me the talent to sing, then I should not ask to be a soloist. If he has not called me to preach, then I should avoid the pulpit. (Following this line of reasoning, some folks might argue that I shouldn't blog.) After all, we wouldn't allow someone with no musical ability to play the piano for Sunday morning worship service, would we? Shouldn't we take a look at all the qualified candidates (believers with talent) and choose the best. If my savior was to physically walk down the aisle and sit in the front row, this Sunday, I would want our best musicians and singers on the praise and worship team. I would want to please the boss, so to speak.
John Wayne's J.B. Books said that he treated people the way he expected to be treated. Sound familiar?
Afterthought: Can anyone give me the scripture reference for "Blessed are the tithe payers, for they shall be coddled and appeased"?
John Wayne has always been one of my favorite actors. He always portrayed the kind of guy that I would like to be; tough but fair, strong yet gentle. As John Bernard Books, in The Shootist he said "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same from them." When he was of a mind, he could kick butt with the best of them.
When I read the Bible, I tend to be pulled to characters who fall into the same category. David and his Mighty Men (the "Dirty Dozen" of the old Testament, right?) are recorded as having such exploits that their story would make a great action/thriller movie. The Bible records where each of them would find themselves in a bad situation and the Holy Spirit would anoint them and there they go...they would fight and fight, usually against great odds, while all the while being poorly armed. They would defeat a bunch of highly trained, motivated soldiers and then move on (some might say that they "kicked butt and took names").
Then comes Shamgar. This Old Testament hero wiped the floor with 600 soldiers, with the anointing of the holy spirit. Wow! All he had was an ox goad (8 ft pointy stick) and his God...and that would suffice.
So, why is it that we have people in church who seem to misunderstand this very simple biblical concept: If God anoints you to do something, then you will be awesome? People make silly comments like "She can't sing very well, but isn't her singing anointed?" or "Pastor Mike. That choir may be well rehearsed, but we are anointed!" They were awful! Also, I am also reminded, when people want to justify allowing a soloist who can't carry a tune in a bucket, that "The Bible says to 'Make a joyful noise'." How often that is misquoted, and out of context.
People often covet gifts that they do not posses. They fail to realize that God does not bless all of his children with the same gifts and talents. We aren't all arms in this body, you know. So many lust after the position of vocal chords, though. I have to remind people that if God calls you to do something then he will also equip you to do that something. Therefore, common sense dictates that if he has not equipped, then maybe he has not called. I once was asked to organize a youth praise band, as I am both a musician and singer. I started off our first meeting with "If you are called to sing, then you will sing. If you are not called to sing, then we need to find where your gifts and talents lie and help you to develop them in that area of ministry." I was not allowed to tell these interested teens that they could not sing. Instead, I was instructed to give them a dead microphone, so we did not offend them or their parents. (Remember the Andy Griffith episode where Barney was given the dead mic and someone else sang from back stage?) Needless to say, but I will anyway, I would not do it. How can I, as a professing Christian, lie to these kids and their parents? What happened to "Speak the truth, in love?" Wouldn't it make sense that if we taught people that we would tell them the truth, even if it hurt, that they could always trust us to be honest. If not, would we not teach our congregations to suspect our honestly?
There are many things that I lack the knowledge and skills to accomplish. I truly believe that an intelligent person knows what they don't know. Therefore they know what they need to learn to avoid ignorance. If God has not given me the talent to sing, then I should not ask to be a soloist. If he has not called me to preach, then I should avoid the pulpit. (Following this line of reasoning, some folks might argue that I shouldn't blog.) After all, we wouldn't allow someone with no musical ability to play the piano for Sunday morning worship service, would we? Shouldn't we take a look at all the qualified candidates (believers with talent) and choose the best. If my savior was to physically walk down the aisle and sit in the front row, this Sunday, I would want our best musicians and singers on the praise and worship team. I would want to please the boss, so to speak.
John Wayne's J.B. Books said that he treated people the way he expected to be treated. Sound familiar?
Afterthought: Can anyone give me the scripture reference for "Blessed are the tithe payers, for they shall be coddled and appeased"?
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