Am I overly demanding? I seek not to be critical, but sometimes I'm irritated by those who don't put their best foot forward in ministry. I mean if God has called us to a specific area of ministry, isn't it our responsibility- our duty to operate in excellence? Now I know that some people do the best they can with what they have, but what happened to improving ourselves. I mean if real estate agents are required to attend refresher courses to keep their licenses, just as insurance brokers go to classes to be re-certified and people in their various careers attend seminars, workshops and conventions within their given fields, why do we as Christians think that we don't need a refresher at times and that the knowledge or giftings we have relied upon and drawn from for the past 20 years will do in a world with people of ever changing needs.
It may seem like I'm being hard, but come on people, God gives us opportunities to make advancement for His Kingdom. He gives us opportunities for learning and growing so we can better serve Him and His people. The least we can do is read a couple of books, do some online study classes - something to stimulate continued growth in our areas of ministry. There may be a time someone taps us on the shoulder and tells us that what was once considered good is no longer good enough. We need to see it as a wake up call to step up our game! To get a new pair of glasses and see things in a new light. See it as a challenge and a kick in the pants to shore up the ship, get our act together and become better use for the kingdom. If we have resigned ourselves not to change or to think that what we have done over the past two decades and continue to do is still relevant and good enough, we may need to re-evaluate and take another look at ourselves. We may need to take some courses or be mentored by those who are already on the path or we may need to bow out and allow those who are ready, willing and able to progress to do just that. It may be that God wants to use us in a different way and our season has changed.
We as leaders also need to help youth come into the fullness of who they are. I remember when I was young, I think they allowed me to serve on every auxiliary board and department in the church - from usher, choir director, announcement reader, Sunday school teacher, etc. The older saints (Over 35) would push the youth to find their niche in the church. Nowa' days older saints are so busy trying to hold on to their ministry departments (control which is as the sin of witchcraft) that little emphasis, if any is placed on helping others to succeed and progress in ministry. UGH! It really is a sore spot with me. I did say I would be venting in this blog just a bit.
Lord help us (me) to give you my best, to think of others, to treat others as we (I) want to be treated, to make room for others that you lay on our (my) heart to help, to be patient with others just as You have been and continue to be patient with us (me) and to be kind and gentle to our (my) brothers and sisters despite our (my) thoughts and preconceptions that through love and kindness WE all will make it together.
