November 28th, 2008
Scott
For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established. –Romans 1:11
The Apostle Paul is known as the greatest evangelist of the Christian Faith. He referred to himself as a debtor to Christ, one who had no choice but to preach. While we accredit a great many of the churches planted in the early days of those following Christ to Paul we see another passion revealed in this passage. Paul speaks of coming to Rome to establish them in the faith. This word establish could also be read disciple them in the faith.
I am fortunate to be a part of a church that is reaching our city with the gospel. Every weekend we open our doors to thousands of people and most every weekend can celebrate new souls who have accepted Christ. Then what?
The Church serves the world in two capacities. We are light in the darkness as we share the good news to a lost world and we speak into believers lives to establish them. We have spent some time lately asking ourselves what does it look like to be established? How do we know if someone is growing in Christ? I have to confess as a card carrying member of Generation X, the anti-establishment, grunge music, reality bites generation, this notion of quantifying spiritual maturity makes me a little uneasy. My Father’s generation says give me a 10 point check list of maturity and we will do an audit. Those younger than me insist it’s not anyone’s right to judge, everyone can be right. Me, I am more prone to just say buzz off. (Possibly exhibiting my own spiritual immaturity.) BUT, I run headlong into another of Paul’s letters… “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” (Colossians 1:28-29)
We proclaim, admonish, and teach so that we may present every man complete? This is the work of establishment and it is the calling of God on those of us in ministry. As that verse has bounced around in my head for the past year I have come to understand I will give an account to God for the people he places in my life and my ministry. So I am back to the question; what’s it mean to be established?
My son is almost two. When we visit my wife at work we walk be a statue of Jesus. My son points each time and says, “Jesus.” When we sit down to eat he clasps his hands and says, “Pray.” As a parent of a little boy I’d say he is established, for now that’s pretty good.
360 degrees
If you haven’t already go out and get a copy of the 360 degree leader by John Maxwell. Our Pastor has recommended the book several times, I just re-read it and agree with him, it’s one of the best Maxwell books out there. 360 and 21 irrefutable laws of leadership are all you really need to read and you can be a Maxwell expert.
The 360 degree leader teaches us how to lead down to the people who work for us, to the sides for the people who are at the same level as we are and up to the people we work for. All the chapters are great, but if you have never read about leading up you are really missing something! Take some time this week and do a quick exercise to polish your 360 degree leadership!
For those who report to you:
1. What’s the single most important thing I want my staff to know?
2. How often and how effectively do I communicate #1 to them?
3. What’s the greatest challenge I face with leading them?
4. What’s the one area I would like to improve in leading my team?
For those you work alongside:
1. What is the focus of my teammates ministry?
2. How can I help them achieve their goals?
3. How can I more effectively collaborate with the people not in my specific ministry but on the same team?
4. What’s the greatest challenge I face leading those who are on my same level?
5. What’s the one area I would like to improve in leading to the side?
For those you report to:
1. What’s the single most important thing to my boss regarding our ministry?
2. How can I help she or he achieve that win?
3. What is my bosses personality type and how does that influence the way I communicate with she or he?
4. What value can I add to the over all organization?
5. What’s the greatest challenge I face leading up?
6. What’s the one area I would like to improve on in leading up?
After working on staff at a church for awhile you will usually end up in one of four situations…
1) I am aligned with my pastor, I like my job
2) I am aligned with my pastor, I don’t like my job
3) I am not aligned, I like my job
4) I am not aligned, I don’t like my job
What do you do?
4′s Quit! You probably already did. Ohhhhh, wait, you still work there? Number fours who refuse to move on can be the most destructive force in the church. They grumble at the leader and at the organization. These guys are usually just cashing a check and hoping something really big changes. If you are a number four still punching your clock trust in God’s provision and move on.
It’s a crazy thing when you heart begins to change. Listen closely to where you are and make the moves you need to make. Unless you are able to thrive in your current location it will leave you jaded with how you see God and how you lead other people in maturity in Christ.
1) I am aligned with my pastor, I like my job
2) I am aligned with my pastor, I don’t like my job
3) I am not aligned, I like my job
4) I am not aligned, I don’t like my job
What do you do?
#3′s Change you, not your church! Number three’s are crusaders. These guys like to fight the man, i have been one most of my life. Up until the church i currently work at i fought the system, loving the people but angry with the leadership. You can work like this for awhile but you will find yourself resentful and more than likely will build a small faction of complainers who all “pray” for the pastor to get a clue, errrrr have his heart warmed. Number three’s can have their heart changed by God but as far as changing the church it’s the path of martyrs. God may call you to this kind of ministry but for the most part, quit.
Here’s the deal with three’s… you will get fired! I have seen it over and again, right up till the end they are waving the flag of change and then they are cashing a severance check. The people in your church chose your church. The people not in your church chose another church. Go with them. You can’t be silent hoping no one will know. Your programming, preaching, and counsel will all end up running toward argument with the “man”. Quit when you are ahead. When God begins to change your heart put your resume out there or interview for another department in your church (if it’s your immediate boss you have the issue with). If you leave quick you will preserve your own integrity and have fond memories of the ministry you were a part.
After working on staff at a church for awhile you will usually end up in one of four situations…
1) I am aligned with my pastor, I like my job
2) I am aligned with my pastor, I don’t like my job
3) I am not aligned, I like my job
4) I am not aligned, I don’t like my job
What do you do?
#2′s Speak up! My pastor says if you like your job 51% of the time you have a good job. I love that saying. If you find yourself loving the organization but not liking your job set up a meeting with your boss. WAIT!!!! Before you go in answer some questions… 1) What specifically don’t you like about your job? 2) Are the task you don’t like necessary just not in your gifting or are they unnecessary? Do you have a better solution to accomplishing the task? Do you have something you are passionate about that will bring something to the pastor’s vision for the church?
Please don’t just meet with your supervisor and say, “I don’t like my job.” More than likely they were assuming you were doing just fine. If that’s not the case you need to give them some solid ideas as to how they could use you better and how the task you are currently accomplishing can be delegated. Two’s will eventually find themselves frustrated and resentful with the organization. They will either be fired or resign under a high level of burnout.