I see an increasing number of posts on a social media platform which refers to the Church as an organisation. Well structured, pre-planned programmes and good ideas are some of the words used. The second trend that has gained traction is the unhealthy role of the ‘one man ministry’ and the factors that come to bear upon him/her as they suffer burnout from the volume of ‘ministerial duties’ such as admin, sermon preparation, preaching, teaching and counselling.
A BETTER WAY
There is a better way than this and we must learn to walk this grace path in wisdom. God imparts ministry gifts for the training of the Church in servant work. This can be full time if we are travelling too often to hold down a 9-5 pm job. Of course, there are ways around this which the apostle Paul examples through tent making. Mostly, local ministry need not be salaried. The Jesus way for servant leaders in the church is a plurality of eldership, speaking the truth in love and discerning the word of the Lord together. Too many churches reflect the same symptoms as the church of Ephesus.
“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance……..yet I hold this against you. You have forsaken your first [priority] love.” [1]
IS THERE A BETTER WAY?
My obvious question. Has God shown us a better way other than contacting a consulting digital specialist who comes into the situation and sorts out the issues for a fee? Having worked in marketing for over two decades I know the signs of ‘smoke and mirrors.’ It matters not what statement of belief a church advertises on its website. Most of them are much the same. The real test is how God perceives the body of believers. We may be working hard and persevering yet God’s assessment of the church of Ephesus was quite different. It is also unhelpful to add positions to individuals within a team. Terms like, ‘lead elder’ ‘pastor’ ‘worship leader’ and the list goes on.
There is an emphatic YES in my heart for the Church that Jesus has promised to build. He is even now at work in His Church, but it will be His way. Let us return to a plurality of elders and be done with this one man ministry, whatever the cost. As we gather together in our meetings let us come prepared in heart. Let us reject the entertainment style gatherings we have lived with for far too long!
A NEW WAY FOR LEADERS
God is more interested in the condition of our hearts than the words we use to attract outsiders into our meetings. He is more concerned about purity of motivation than religious obligation, lifeless sermons and unchanged lives. In the words of a book title… “discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction.“
We cannot compare leadership in the Church with the management of a business or use authority in the same way as politicians! Spiritual leaders are called to be servants of the Lord and not of church systems or man-made offices. A servant has no right to direct or control but only to carry out the expressed will of his master. The Head of the Church!
How wise the leaders who have taught by example the people to hear God for themselves. Can we find a fresh way forward in our churches to share fellowship with believers in other churches in our geographical area. Can we return to the Lord in our preaching and teaching so that every member of Christ’s body hears and obeys and grows into, “the measure of the full stature of Christ.” Will we pay the price for this high calling or settle for mediocrity?
LET US RETURN…..“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
[1] Revelation 2:1-7