I've met lots of people along the journey who've said to me, "Pastor, let me know what I can do to help." And although I love hearing that, to be honest, time always proves what level they're willing to get involved in.
I love meeting people who are PASSIONATE about serving in Ministry. Their excitement is contagious. They are like a breath of fresh air with their light hearted outlook. They are a joy to serve with and their love for JESUS resonates.
However, have you been around people who act bored out of their mind or they hardly smile, serve or share the load? Have you witnessed their lethargic approach to the work of ministry? They're not a lot of fun to be around.
Which of the two describes you?
If you attend church but aren't involved, or if you're serving right now and LOVE it (which if you are, I'm glad!), you might not even understand why I would ask this question.
But if you've ever served at a local church as a dedicated VOLUNTEER or a PAID STAFF member, you likely have an idea of what I'm talking about.
Sadly, I've seen a trend in churches that disturbs me. It's a trend of people who used to serve in ministry but now are content to sit in the pew.
I've personally seen...
- Pastors who used to lead a church who now just sleep in on Sundays and have given up on all forms of the local church.
- People who only attend when they're "ON" the music team, the greeting team, serving in student/kids ministry, or speaking.
- People who stop attending the moment they stop serving.
Every time I hear this or see this...it breaks my heart!
Please understand, I know the local church is not perfect. but I honestly do believe the PROMISE of the local church is greater than the PROBLEMS of the local church. And I realize the Church (as Jesus sees it) is bigger than any local church. But to pretend the local church in all its forms around the world isn't a part of the Church is, well, just not accurate.
Lets me clear, I intend to be part of the local church as long as I live, whether I'm paid to lead or not.
Why do you attend your church?
I want to share several reasons why you may be struggling to attend your local church:
1. YOUR IDENTITY IS TIED TO WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHO YOU ARE
- Who are you really?
- A preacher?
- A musician?
- A worship leader?
- A student director?
- An elder?
- An usher?
- A group leader?
- A staff member?
NO...that's not who you are. You're a child of God redeemed by a Savior who came for you! So many of us define who we are by what we do.
Before you ignore this, take this test:
If work (or ministry) is your idol,
if you are successful it goes to your head,
if you are a failure it goes to your heart.
Maybe your IDENTITY is more tied up in WHAT you do, more than you think.
2. YOU LIKE BEING THE CENTER OF ATTENTION
Many people LIVE FOR THE APPLAUSE. Could it be that you've grown accustomed to being the center of attention, no matter how small your audience may be?
Often my decision that something doesn't FIT "me" is far more a statement about me that it is about whatever I'm uncomfortable with.
3. YOU'RE DISENCHANTED WITH PEOPLE
Yes, church is messy, flawed, disappointing and a times deeply hurtful. Largely because PEOPLE are messy, flawed, disappointing and at times deeply hurtful. And we live on THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN.
Hurt, unresolved, breeds CYNICISM. and there are SO many cynical former church attenders who simply haven't addressed their unresolved issues.
Part of MATURITY involves realizing that I contribute to some of the MESS. I am part of the problem. And so is almost every leader who has abandoned church.
Jesus never said we would be known for our perfection. But he did say we would be known by our LOVE.
Love owns my share. Love forgives. Love says I’m sorry. Love reconciles. Love works toward a better tomorrow.
Love sees who you really are and stays anyway.
4. YOU'VE BECOME MORE OF A CRITIC THAN A WORSHIPPER
This one's hard. Once you've been on the INSIDE, you listen "AT" a sermon as much as you listen "TO" a message.
You ask “What’s he doing here? Why did he make that transition this way? What’s up with his body language?”
Musicians critique the music.
Guest services people criticize greeters.
Graphic design people laugh at other designs.
And lead pastors critique everything.
What’s missing in this picture?
HUMILITY. SUBMISSION. GRACE. That’s all.
5. YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER OR SMARTER THAN THE PEOPLE WHO MERELY ATTEND
This one’s ugly.
I don’t know what else to say about it except STOP IT! Really.
Okay one more thing. So maybe you are smart. Or more successful. Got that.
If you think you’re too
important to help someone,
stop fooling yourself.
You’re not that important.
6. SOMEWHERE IN THE PROCESS, YOUR PERSONAL WALK WITH GOD WAS ABANDONED
Leadership is best when it springs from the OVERFLOW of our personal walk with God.
There are many ways unusual church leaders struggle with God, but just because you lost your closeness to God while leading in a church doesn’t mean church is bad.
He loves you, and He loves the church in all of its weakness.
7. YOU'VE FORGOTTEN YOU'RE A FOLLOWER, NOT JUST A LEADER
Originally all of us got into ministry after we decided to become followers of Jesus. That following should never stop.
The BEST LEADERS are actually the BEST FOLLOWERS.
A leader who can only lead but not follow is actually not a great leader. And certainly not a godly leader.
8. YOU'RE NEGLECTING THE FACT THAT YOU STILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
I know it’s cliche, but the goal is not to attend church or go to church. YOU ARE THE CHURCH.
I think the church is so much stronger when we are TOGETHER, not when we are apart.
While we can all use some REHAB in a back row of a church somewhere from season to season, ultimately, every follower of Christ has a role to play in the local church. Even if it’s not your favorite role or a role you’re used to.
Being involved is one of the best ways to stay engaged, even if it’s not what you used to do or want to do.
9. "WHY" HAS DIED ON THE ALTER OF "WHAT" AND "HOW"
Church leadership is a lot of ‘what’ and ‘how’. I find I have to remind myself daily of the ‘why’ of church.
Why?
- Because God is good.
- Because he loves us.
- Because Jesus gave his life for a world he desperately loves.
- Because our cities are full of people who don’t know the love of Christ.
- Because my life is not my own.
- Because the church was Jesus’ idea.
- Because grace ultimately makes all things new.
So does that help? I realize these reasons will not address every issue, and that some will flail against any organized church no matter what is said.
But so many leave unnecessarily. Maybe you’re one of them. If any of these reasons are true, what will you do about them?
I know that working through them has kept my passion and hope for the local church strong, even if it flickers in the wind some days.
