For most of us, calling is difficult to discern.
Not many of us have the experience of a burning bush, taken up to heaven to sing with the seraphs, or swallowed by a large fish. Continue reading
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There’s nothing easy or pretty about surrender. Yes, we know the power and freedom it brings…once the surrender is in the rear view mirror and we can look back on the experience and clearly see the value. It’s in these after-moments that we can wordlessly nod like an ancient, wrinkled sage, agreeing that the surrender was good.
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I'm not a big fan of the phrase, “Stop fixing people.”
I get the meaning behind it: stop being so judgmental, stop thinking that you're so great because you can point out the flaws in others.
I believe in attacking that target! But I also think there's too much collateral damage.
“Stop fixing people” isn't specific enough. We need to stop doing what we think will fix other people because it's not working. Have you ever grown spiritually because you felt the disapproval of someone you admire? That may work in sports, but right now we're talking about our souls.
Good parents fix their children. Good friends fix one another. Much of the spiritual health you have today came through people very close to you. God worked through those people to change your life.
Jesus said to take the plank out first, before you help the other person with their speck. He could have said to leave their spec alone. Jesus said not to throw pearls before pigs, we shouldn't say something if there's not a good chance of it being heard. The proverbs tell us that an offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city.
We can't give up on fixing one another. We need to become better at fixing one another. That means accepting one another, praying for one another, listening to one another, forgiving one another, helping one another, and when the time is right: to correct on another.
The task at hand isn't to stop fixing one another. We need to stop judging, disapproving. We need to stop pointing out all the flaws.
To fix people, we must relearn what it means to actually help one another grow closer to Christ. And if we following his example, we'll know what to day.
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(in case you missed part I, you can get that here and if you missed part II, you can get that here)
The THRID thing I SEE and would like to SEE MORE OFTEN:
our ministry exists to
REACH non-believing students, to help them
CONNECT with other Christians, to help them
GROW in their faith, to challenge the growing to
DISCOVER their ministry and
HONOR God with their life.
These purposes are at the heart of our ministry. Everything we do ought to reflect or express one of these purposes. More activity isn’t our goal. We need to be moving in concert with the Holy Spirit as he builds the kingdom of God.
While our ministry needs to have a focus on evangelism and worship (see part II), we can’t loose sight of the other things God is calling us to be and do. Fellowship, discipleship, and ministry are also important. We must “take ground” in these areas as well.
So here’s my vision for our ministry:
PASSIONATE FRIENDS WHO LOVE GOD AND STUDENTS
OUR “FRONT DOOR” PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE MORE AWESOME.
WE NEED TO GO AFTER GOD’S PURPOSE FOR OUR MINISTRY.
The first part is about the kind of leadership team we need to be. The second is focused on the ministry we need to build. The third reflects the overall balance we can’t forget.
If you liked this article, forward it to a friend. Find Matt on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. Get great youth worker resources HERE. Request Matt to speak at your next event HERE.