Defining Passion for Ministry
November 24, 2008
Early in my first pastorate, I sat across from a veteran pastor at a luncheon. Others at the table welcomed me to the community and made typical small talk about their families and past ministry experiences. Then someone asked me to describe my vision for my church. Enthusiastically, I outlined our opportunities and challenges. I shared my vision for how we could reach people, how we might need to enlarge our facilities or relocate, and how willing the church seemed to expand its ministry and grow.
I concluded by saying, “I am really excited about our future and the vision God has given me.” The pastor across the table finally made his one and only comment, “You’ll get over it.”
His slumped shoulders and permanent scowl punctuated his comment. It was obvious he had lost any enthusiasm or excitement about ministry. He was beaten and defeated. Whatever passion had prompted him to enter ministry was gone. As I left that luncheon, I prayed, “Lord, please don’t ever let that happen to me.”
And, so far, it has not. God has moved me, however, from excitement about the ministry to passion for ministry. There is a significant difference between excitement and passion. Excitement, like most feelings, ebbs and flows. But passion is deeper than a feeling. Passion is a sustaining force God ignites for ministry. Over the next few weeks, let’s consider how to maximize this sustaining force in our lives.
A word switch
Passion is an interesting word. In modern usage, passion often has a positive connotation. But in the New Testament, the word most often translated passion usually has a more negative meaning. It is usually associated with baser passions, like lust or evil desires. The New Testament word more closely tied to the modern notion of passion is
compassion.
The word translated compassion literally means rumbling in the gut or stirring of the bowels. That is not too appealing until you remember the bowels, not the heart, were the symbolic center of life in the first-century worldview. Compassion, in the biblical sense, is the deep motive that drives a person’s actions. Compassion is part of a person’s core values, the heart issues that propel actions. This contrasts with the modern view of compassion that is generally more of an emotional response to painful or unfortunate circumstances.
Every leader needs empathy in situations that demand caring ministry. Genuinely identifying with and supporting followers emotionally is part of leading them. This is what is typically meant by compassion today. While this is important, it is not the same as having sustained passion for ministry. Every leader must discover ways to sustain passion. Remember, the biblical idea of compassion (not the modern notion) closely approximates this concept of passion. So, in the following weeks, we will look at how compassion was a sustaining force in Jesus’ ministry and can be in ours.
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Benchmarking Wisdom
November 17, 2008
Since gaining wisdom is a lifelong process, is it possible to measure your progress? Yes! There are several benchmarks you can use to measure growth in wisdom. These benchmarks will conclude our study of wisdom.
Benchmark 1: You are growing in your ability to see life’s situations from God’s perspective. As you grow in wisdom, you will more and more naturally view situations as God sees them. You will spontaneously start flipping through the note cards in your mind for applicable biblical principles when you confront a problem. You will find yourself thinking, “There’s a Proverb that relates to this problem” or “I remember how King David resolved this problem” or “In a biography, a missionary worked through this same dilemma” or “One of my mentors faced a similar incident.” As thinking about life from God’s perspective becomes more and more natural, you will know you are growing in wisdom.
Benchmark 2: You are able to relate biblical
principles to challenging life situations (rather than depending on legalistic proof-texting). Some contemporary problems are not mentioned specifically in the Bible. The leader must know God and his Word well enough to recognize the applicable principles for solving thorny problems. As you grow in this area, you will discover the Bible speaks to every issue and human dilemma. It may not speak chapter and verse, but it can speak principle upon precept. Wise leaders are growing in their capacity to use God’s Word this way.
Benchmark 3: You choose best behavior over license in questionable situations. As a young Christian, I wanted to live on the edge of acceptability to God. My question was, “How far can I go (morally, sexually, financially) and still not be technically disobedient to God?” As I have grown in wisdom, my new question is “Father, what behavior best models your grace?” Wisdom does not look for loop holes, it strives for holiness without legalistic overtones. Wisdom lives on a margin, not on the edge courting disaster. Wisdom pushes away from the edge instead of straining to peer over it.
Benchmark 4: You have a growing humility about your decisions, positions, perspectives, and insights. Wisdom doesn’t blow its own horn. Wise leaders have a growing confidence in their insight, but also have a corresponding humility. One of my wisest friends is also very slow to give his opinion. He often sits quietly while others with far less insight speak. Wise leaders are often like that. They know what they know, are more than willing to share when asked. But they do not parade their wisdom. Wise leaders are also very patient with people who disagree with them. They do not have to be agreed with because, deep down, they know they are right and are willing to wait for it to become evident.
So there is more to getting wisdom than just praying for it. Wisdom can be learned. Wisdom is a required character quality for leaders in every field. So, get busy learning wisdom. Measure yourself by these benchmarks and continually evaluate your progress as you grow in wisdom. Someday, your leadership legacy will include wise decisions and wise behavior. Effective leaders do not settle for less!
For more insight about wisdom, check out my book The Character of Leadership.
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False Wisdom
November 10, 2008
We are in the midst of several columns about wisdom. So far, we have focused on gaining true wisdom. Today, let’s shift our attention to avoiding false wisdom.
All good things, all godly things, have been counterfeited by the devil. Wisdom is no exception. True wisdom has clear origins, so does false wisdom. True wisdom has measurable results, and so does false wisdom. True wisdom is readily available, but so is false wisdom. Leaders must be alert to the differences and seek the right kind of wisdom.
True wisdom is closely related to the gospel, to preaching about salvation. It is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit and found in relationship with Jesus Christ. You should pray for it and expect God to give it to you by his grace. True wisdom is revealed through humble living that demonstrates character shaped through your relationship with Jesus. We should strive to get it, while at the same time trusting God for it (1 Cor. 2:1-7, 12:8; Col. 1:28, 2:3, 4:5; 2 Tim. 3:15; Eph. 1:8, 1:17, 3:10; Jam. 3:13-17).
False wisdom is not related to the gospel. Instead it points to idolatry and immorality. It attempts to confound the message of the cross but is instead confounded by the cross. False wisdom can masquerade as legalism, binding you with rules and regulations rather than freeing you by the Spirit. It can also throw off moral restraint, encouraging rejection of God’s standards. False wisdom originates with the devil and produces all kinds of destructive behavior like envy, selfishness, immorality, and disorder (Rom. 1:22; 1 Cor. 1:18-27, 3:18-20; Col. 2:23; Jam. 3:15-16).
Beware of leaders who have all the answers or who always have the final answer! Legalism produces leaders who claim all wisdom. They know how every Christian should dress, be entertained, raise their family, decide complex moral problems, and participate in church. False wisdom is so sure of itself. Leaders with false wisdom may seem humble, but they are really arrogant. They claim the final word on everything, but no matter how piously they pronounce it, it’s still legalism.
Leaders with false wisdom, particularly leaders in public or political life, often make decisions contradicting the gospel and biblical standards. Some of these are suave, sophisticated leaders. They want to sound insightful and wise, claiming to build on ethical foundations to take our society to new levels of awareness. But in reality, they are often in dogmatic denial of God’s standards. We are not ascending when we follow these leaders. We are spiraling downward.
Religious leaders sometimes fall into this trap. American Christian television is often an embarrassment to biblical Christianity. Designer clothes, make-up artists, and beautiful set design make the preachers and presenters so adorable. What they are saying must be right. Wrong! When religious leaders promote greed and envy by a get-rich-quick gospel they are just as guilty of demonstrating false wisdom as any misguided politician.
No matter how smooth the operator or how ear-tickling the information, false wisdom is always destructive. Real leaders, wise leaders, work hard to avoid these traps and teach their followers to do the same.
Check out The Character of Leadership for more help on growing in wisdom and other essential character qualities.
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Behaviors revealing a lack of wisdom
November 3, 2008
We have learned in the past few weeks that wisdom is revealed in our actions. A lack of wisdom is also displayed by our actions. The book of Proverbs outlines three categories of behavior demonstrating a lack of wisdom.
Compulsive behavior or addictions (Pro. 20:1). Drunkenness is condemned throughout Scripture. Alcoholic beverages, particularly wine, were available in the biblical world and used by biblical characters. While the prevalence of their use and the potency of the beverages can be debated, abuse of alcohol was enough of a problem it was repeatedly condemned in both the Old and New Testaments. The abuse of alcohol is always called unwise in the Bible.
Other potentially addictive behaviors, like drug abuse and pornography, are not specifically mentioned in the same context as drunkenness. It is appropriate, however, to understand the prohibition on drunkenness in a broader sense. Drunkenness was specifically condemned, and by inference, all addictive behavior could be included. All indulgence leading to possible addiction is unwise.
Leaders understand this principle and are not deceived by their supposed strength. Many leaders have strong appetites. They like to eat heartily, drink merrily, and can become convinced they are the exception to the consequences. Sometimes this arrogance leads to tampering with alcohol, drugs, pornography, or other potentially addictive behavior. Leaders convince themselves “they can handle it.” They can’t.
When you involve yourself in any potentially addictive behavior, you are not wise!
Financial irresponsibility (Pro. 21:20). Growth in financial stewardship measures wisdom. The use of money – your total financial responsibility is a barometer of wisdom. Wise people recognize God as their monetary source, give generously to his work, manage the remainder of his provision carefully, live on their income, invest for the future, and put no trust in wealth.
Leaders often make good salaries and are expected to model sound personal financial management. They are also entrusted with significant financial decisions, sometimes involving large sums of money on behalf of their organizations. Financial irresponsibility, personal or corporate, reveals a lack of wisdom.
There are several red flags that reveal financial irresponsibility. One is living above your means. For example, your credit cards are maxed out. You live paycheck to paycheck. You obligate yourself for more than you can reasonably pay. You keep financial secrets from your spouse. You ignore financial advice because you are sure you are the exception to the financial rules. These choices indicate personal financial irresponsibility.
Another red flag is when a leader is not a generous giver. Ministry leaders often ask others to give generously and sacrificially to various projects. Sometimes these same leaders do not tithe, much less give additional offerings. Every ministry leader must model generosity. Every ministry leader must be a disciplined giver, exceeding the tithe, and setting the pace for those he leads.
Spending habits and giving decisions reveal a leader’s core financial values. These financial practices measure and reveal wisdom. How you handle your money is a clear biblical indicator of your level of wisdom and your willingness to submit to God’s standards in this very practical, tangible area of life.
Resenting correction (Pro. 15:12). Wise leaders invite correction and respond positively to it. They are life-long learners, eager to improve themselves. They have an ease about them that is attractive to others. They are not know-it-alls or braggarts. They do not have delusions of adequacy. A leader growing in wisdom is approachable and interested in the opinions, perspectives, and insights of others.
This is an interesting contrast. The more wisdom you gain, the more wisdom you will seek.
One negative expression of resisting correction is resistance to supervision or evaluation. God has given every leader a supervisor, a board, group, or person to whom they are accountable. Some leaders resent this relationship and resist supervision. They do not like regular performance reviews and discussion of their shortcomings. Hearing about areas of needed improvement is unwelcome. Suggestions for continuing education or training are unheeded. Beware of these leaders! Their arrogance will be their downfall.
Wise leaders are also lifelong learners. They read books, watch videos, go to seminars and conferences, discuss new ideas with friends or mentors, and take advantage of other opportunities to learn and grow (like enroll in seminary!). Wise leaders learn new things. They are open to changing their mind, even about important subjects.
A lack of wisdom is seen in compulsive behavior, financial irresponsibility, and resisting correction. So, how are you doing?
For more information about wisdom, take a look at my book The Character of Leadership.
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