SERVING STRONG

Play Your Part

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12.12 NIV)

 

One orchestra. Different instruments. One body. Different parts. If I am a flute player, how strange it would be for me to try and play the tuba part. If I were an eye, how strange it would be for me to try to hear what you are saying. And if I am gifted at creative expression in worship arts, how strange it would be for me to take care of the church's financial statements.

 

Here are a couple thoughts to ponder this week:

 

Since we are all different, are you trying to treat everyone the same? Think chess, not checkers.

 

If you were gifted with certain skills and abilities, should you stick to tasks that honor those skills and abilities? When would it be appropriate to step outside your gift mix (your comfort zone)?

 

If there is one body with many parts, why are you trying to take on too many roles?

 

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Behind My Back

I recently read an article in the Fall 2010 Leadership Journal, published by Christianity Today, by Gordon MacDonald entitled "Your Regular Checkup".

Gordon points out the importance of being examined by others:

 

"There was a time in recent years when a person I both know and respect accused me of harboring an attitude of bitterness. I could only take it back to three close friends who knew me extraordinarily well."

 

" 'Could you guys take some time and talk about me behind my back?' I asked. 'I want you to think back across the last several years and see if you remember any hint of bitterness in my life. And if you think you see something, please tell me. I must know so that I can deal with it.' "

 

I think we each must do this sort of thing on a regular basis, lest we fall into the trap of false self-acceptance.

 

What do you think?

 

Is this worth the effort?

 

What are the pitfalls?

 

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Job #1

Job #1 for the ministry leader is... 

Not talking.

Not pursuading.

Not vision casting.

Not delegating.

Not preaching.

Not blogging.

Not teaching.

Not fund raising.

Not caring.

Not visiting.

Not evangelizing.

Not team building.

...no, Job #1 is quite simple: Listening...

360 Listening (related post)

 

 

What helps us be better listeners?

p.s. Kevin Martineau pointed out recently that LISTEN and SILENT have the same letters

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Falling Quietly

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Falling Quietly

It's Autumn. The trees where I live are dropping their leaves. In fact, as I was preparing this post and the companion PowerMail issue for this week, I paused to watch as a gentle breeze touched the trees. A few leaves fell to the ground slowly... quietly. No fanfare. No noise. No trumpet call. Just quietly covering the ground one leaf at a time. To the right is a picture containing the phrase, "falling leaves hide the path so quietly." Little by little, they cover the path, making it hard to see where it leads.

No one sets out to lose their way. No one wakes up and says, "Let's see, how can I burnout by the end of the day." On the contrary, burnout happens over time. Little by little, as quietly as a falling leaf, unresolved conflicts, little unforgivenesses... gradually cover the path we are on. Before we know it, we're lost, burned out, disillusioned.

Scripture says:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4.16)

Let's enter the discussion now. Here's are the questions:

What are some examples of "leaves" a typical ministry leader deals with?

How can a ministry leader renew, avoiding burnout?

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Bless My Efforts?

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Bless My Efforts

God gives us gifts. God chooses to work through us to reach a lost and dying world.

You've heard people say, "God's given us brains. We should use them."

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3.5-8 that he, "...planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow..."  But that's been bothering me as I approach this week's issue of the PowerMail. I mean, does God give me a brain and then say, "Have at it"? When I think this way, I often end up serving in my own strength. I plan; prepare; practice; strategize and THEN ask God to bless my efforts. It's like we're two separate entities. I go off and do my thing, then think, "Oh, yeah. This is God's deal. I better ask Him to bless my efforts with His magical touch."

So, I've got some questions to kick around with you:

When does our effort end and God's power begin?

How much effort are we to expend on our own? Any?

Are we getting in God's way when we try too hard?

Is there such a thing as working too hard for God?

I bet you've got some great insight on this subject. I invite you to share your thoughts in a comment or two.

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