I don't know about you but as a pastor the greatest joys and the greatest frustrations don't come from accounts, structures, a perfectly flowing Sunday service, or even a message that I have felt just hit the spot. The highest highs and the lowest lows come from my one on one interaction with people.
I love looking around and seeing lives that have been transformed by the love of Christ, often shown through His community. Then I see people who just don't seem to understand what we are all about. They are so focused on having their own personal preferences and problems dealt with. They are different from people with problems, I love them; they seem to realise that there is no one else to turn to and Christ is the answer. No, the one's I am talking about are the problem people. There aren't that many of them but they just seem to suck the life out of you and everyone around them. Everything is a drama.
Some of the major issues in their life are-
- The church music is too loud, I can't hear myself worship.
- I want to park closer to the building.
- I don't like it when you talk about money.
- You haven't recognised my gifting.
- I have no friends.
- I don't like doing what you have asked me to do.
- All my problems are someone else's fault, so I don't have to do anything about them. (Great point from Charlie Sullivan)
When we actually understand what we are called to be in this world then our focus is taken off ourselves and placed firstly on Christ, then our gaze is always directed to where His heart is. We are called to be servants, making disciples everywhere we go. As a servant my priority is to meet the needs of others; as a disciple maker I am here to replicate Christ in me in others.
We all have personal preferences that we have to get over to be part of a Spirit-breathed community. I need to look at my own life regularly and ask myself what preferences are defining me at the moment. When was the last time you checked the personal preferences you are allowing to control your life?
I agree - i often look at myself and try to be part of the solution - not part of the problem - struggling lately though - but Church is awsome - think i will start selling earplugs on sundays to the complainers - the music is great - just close your eyes and get carried away in the presence of Jesus, bless you Jon - your heart is in the right place -
ReplyDeleteI'm finding that a lot with some of the youth stuff, problem people always tell you it's someone elses fault. Whereas the other group takes responsibility and asks God to change themselves first. I pray I never stop asking God to change my heart to b more like him, hope ur well pastor and friend, C
ReplyDeleteHey Jon. I love reading this blog..
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with al of that, when I hear of those kinds of statement going round usally Matthew 16:24 comes to mind "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." To me that has always simply said get it over and see the bigger picture, if we did Church to match our preferences then how effective would they be, we need to be focused on Loving God, Loving Life, Loving People and seeing people come to know Christ. If we constantly focus on our preferences then doesn't take our eyes off of that call to see lives changed and saved?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree :)
Sparky