Press On Towards The Goal: Faith & Trust
Since returning to Calgary, Chris and I have had many conversations with people from our church. The majority end up being about how tired/over-worked people feel from working in the church OR about how disconnected/uncared for people feel. They are frustrated and don't see an end.
There are so many things wrong with this, but I am most struck by the attitudes of the heart.
Naturally we (perhaps more me than Chris) challenge these people about what their part is. No one is a victim, no one can be forced to serve in the church. Yet MOST people (all of which were in leadership/teaching positions) said that they do their job out of a sense of duty--not out of passion/answering God's call on their lives. The big comment we have heard was 'well no one else is going to do it and it needs to get done--so I guess I'll have to do it'.
My heart grieves for God's kingdom, His body of believers. If this is the mentality of the coming generation of leadership then our church does not have much to look forward to.
My heart breaks at the lack of faith the people have. If we can not even trust God to rise up people to fill positions for HIS WILL to be done in HIS CHURCH--then what else will HE trust us with?
Mediocre is not of the kingdom of God.
At one Bible study we got into a very tense discussion about church duties. I told everyone present that if they are not answering God's call to fill a role in His church then they should stop doing that job.
I do not regret it--it is the cry of my heart. God does not need our help. God wants us to love Him, see where He is working and follow.
And God is working amongst the broken hearted of our church--while we worry about filling roles.
If there are programs where no one wants to do the job, then is it time for it to stop?--or for us to back off from doing it in our own strength and allow God to do it in His?
We limit God to our own strength. And are missing out on how AWESOMELY God can bless!
We have a generation of followers who do not follow in faith, who do not trust that God is all that He says He is--and I am torn.
There are so many things wrong with this, but I am most struck by the attitudes of the heart.
Naturally we (perhaps more me than Chris) challenge these people about what their part is. No one is a victim, no one can be forced to serve in the church. Yet MOST people (all of which were in leadership/teaching positions) said that they do their job out of a sense of duty--not out of passion/answering God's call on their lives. The big comment we have heard was 'well no one else is going to do it and it needs to get done--so I guess I'll have to do it'.
My heart grieves for God's kingdom, His body of believers. If this is the mentality of the coming generation of leadership then our church does not have much to look forward to.
My heart breaks at the lack of faith the people have. If we can not even trust God to rise up people to fill positions for HIS WILL to be done in HIS CHURCH--then what else will HE trust us with?
Mediocre is not of the kingdom of God.
At one Bible study we got into a very tense discussion about church duties. I told everyone present that if they are not answering God's call to fill a role in His church then they should stop doing that job.
I do not regret it--it is the cry of my heart. God does not need our help. God wants us to love Him, see where He is working and follow.
And God is working amongst the broken hearted of our church--while we worry about filling roles.
If there are programs where no one wants to do the job, then is it time for it to stop?--or for us to back off from doing it in our own strength and allow God to do it in His?
We limit God to our own strength. And are missing out on how AWESOMELY God can bless!
We have a generation of followers who do not follow in faith, who do not trust that God is all that He says He is--and I am torn.
posted by Shannon Laser | 6:56 a.m.
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