Ministry Is Not Messy!
How do I balance Johnny the person with Captain Gainey the Corps Officer/Pastor?
I am learning more and more that being a leader of God's flock is synonymous with self-ostracizing. The lessons I’ve learned after three and a half years of pastoring have taught me why so many church leaders end up bitter and alone, questioning their calling, and pampering a low self-image.
I don’t agree that ministry is messy. That may sound catchy, but the truth of the matter is that Satan’s intervention in ministry is messy, not ministry. Ministry is an extension of the love of Jesus Christ. How can that be anything but beautiful?
In Marshall Shelley’s book, ‘WELL-INTENTIONED Dragons’, Shelley says, “A pastor’s authority requires two ingredients: God’s appointment and call, and the body’s respect for his leadership. Losing either side of the equation spells an end to effective ministry.” pgs115-116
Shelly also says, “Every pastor walks that delicate line between steering and being steered by the congregation. As they weigh the criticisms, most ministers occasionally wonder, Am I being followed or chased?” pg. 115
This is a serious dilemma in the church, because too often God’s flock forgets the role of the shepherd, which is to lead. Too many sheep believe that they are supposed to train the shepherd to listen to sheep, rather than assist the shepherd in listening to God.
I could be wrong. I’ve been wrong before.
Forever learning,
Johnny
4 comments:
You are a phenominal leader. Your flock would do well to trust you and your leadership. Then the people of the Charlotte temple Corps would not just end up somewhere, but they would end up somewhere on purpose. Don't doubt God's power through you, even though everything around you may try to inflict you with self doubt.
We miss you.
I wish people would quit breathing their "well-intentioned dragon breath" all over you! Slay those dragons!!
I know what you mean. . . I share your frustration.
Jesus told a parable in Luke 15 and in verse 4 he said, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?”
It seems to me that we as sheep have some how come to a place where we think it’s all about us. As leaders, we sometimes coddle the “frozen chosen” all in the name of “loving them through.” I have heard leaders say, “Well, we have to love them too.” Of course we do, but not at the expense of the lost sheep!
Jesus clearly had his priorities in place. He went all the way to the cross for the lost sheep. Until we come to the place where we care more about the lost than we do our religious practices, our personal preferences, and our man made traditions, we will continue live in constant frustration. After all, Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. (Matt 6:24)”
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal 6:9-10).”
Blessings!
Jesus in Matthew 23 shows three causes of ministry messiness: natural personality differences, emotional illness, and sin. We as humans are also responsible for the "messiness." Read the book, When Ministry is Messy: Practical Solutions to Difficult Problems, St. Anthony Messenger Press, just released. Thanks! Richard
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