The Secret to Finding GREAT People to Serve in Ministry
Ever notice that Jesus didn't spend much time trying to attract "superstars"?Jesus DID, however, invest his life in training regular (and irregular) folks... who, by the way, after they were trained, "turned the world upside down."
Yet, instead of investing in the training of people under our nose (like Jesus), we seem to be on a perpetual search for the superstar who will come in and save the day. Instead of investing in a 2 Timothy 2:2 and Ephesians 4:11-12 approach to training others, we squander our limited time tryin to attract homerun hitters--even though we all know that homerun hitters strike out much more often than they actually hit home runs.
But think about WHO Jesus invested his short earthly life in. We're they the superstars and homerun hitters of the day? Hardly. If there was anything remarkable about who Jesus invested in--it was that they were remarkably unremarkable.
What would have happened if Jesus would have sought the counsel of current day church and business pundits on his choice of the first twelve disciples? He may have gotten a response letter like this:
To: Jesus, Son of Joseph
Woodcrafter's Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922
From: Jordan Consultants
Dear Sir:
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.
The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully.
As part of our service, we make some general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes without any additional fee.
It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.
DON'T MISS THE POINT: Is there some "unlikely one" (like one of Jesus' first twelve disciples) right under your nose that you should be encouraging and equipping for service and leadership--perhaps even to eventually take your place? Of course he/she doesn't look like a world changer right now. That's precisely why they need you to encourage and equip them!
Not sure where to start?
To download your FREE copy, CLICK HERE NOW! Way to read all the way to the end.
Comments
Train others? Yeah right! That'll be the day....
Sar*casm- the gap between my humor and those who don't get it! Love 'ya bro!
You posted at 5:14 AM (I was deer hunting)... I post at NOON! I need to let the caffeine set in first!
You are almost a prophet.... stay tuned for the next blog entry... it's about choosing the "most unlikely ones"... people like you and me! (No sarcasm there... just gut level honesty...)
Love ya back...
BA
1. Was the coffee good?
2. Did you get a deer?
BA
BTW - say "hi" to Minnesota this weekend for us!
Will do on the MN thing... wished you were there with me.
BA
BA
I realize that, what you are trying to get a cross, but what evidence supports that they were not superstars before following Christ? What traits reflect that they were not super stars? Were they not super stars in there own right? Perhaps being able to show compassion, i dont know?
That's a GREAT point really. What is a superstar? I think God has a WAY different definition of that one! But I was speaking humanly... from our current culture's understanding (which needs to be challenged with God's understanding--hence my feeble attempt wiht this blog). And I think current Christianity often buys into what the world things a good leader is--and tries to translate that to a church. Of course, the Bible's term for a good leader is SHEPHERD... but how uncool is that term in light of the CEO model????? So you raise a great question. But I was simply using the current and flawed definition to make a point--based on research by Harvard--that hiring a superstar pastor, youth pastor,etc. from one church doesn't mean they will excel in another church. I go even further: Many of the superstars of today (see your latest conference speaker line up)--could NOT serve well in a REGULAR CHURCH setting. SO that makes REGULAR church leaders superstars in their own right. Thanks for the input--stimulating...
BA
It is amazing how we "dedicated" Christians turn our nose up to so many people! Including myself, unfortunately! What a great reminder to accept people for who they are, where there at, what they are doing...and God, not us, will draw them to himself!!! Cool reminder!