Let’s talk about sacrifice and service …
Memorial Day is a great opportunity to not only remember and honor those who have given their lives in service to our country, but also to step back and, seeing their example, take stock of our own service and sacrifice we make as Christians.
Imagine this scenario: a Marine grunt goes in to see his sergeant. He complains that he is constantly being relocated, he is away from his wife and children for months at a time, that his work day is long, and what’s required of him is demanding. So the sergeant asks what he wants, and the grunt says he would like eight hour days, 40 hour weeks, delegation of some of his duties to others, a permanent residence with no more relocation, and a sizeable raise.
Wouldn’t you like to see the sergeant’s face while listening to such requests?
Certainly, providing the Marine with such requests would make life more safe and comfortable for him. But his work as a Marine is about making certain sacrifices in order to best serve his country. Fortunately, as we remember today, our country has been blessed throughout its short history with men and women who have been willing to make great sacrifices for the best interests of America.
That is an example the church needs to look at.
Again, we are fortunate that throughout the history of the church, there are many who have been willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of Christ. But there are many more who aren’t.
Let’s look at two different roles.
First, let’s look at the service provided by those in vocational ministry. We human beings have a bad habit of trying to fix things with a “pendulum response,” swinging too broadly one way or the other. In the past, we have expected far too much of those serving in church leadership (especially those serving in bi-vocational positions). We placed such a great burden on them that they were burning out in large numbers. Even today, hundreds of ministers resign and leave vocational ministry every month.
However, for some time now, we’ve swung the pendulum the other way. There has been a strong emphasis on ministry being like “any other job” — working 9 to 5 and being unavailable beyond that. We’ve looked around at other jobs and have seen other professionals having time to play golf, go boating with friends, and do a lot of other things we were missing out on.
But here’s the problem: ministry is not like “any other job.”
As a leader in Christ’s church you’re leading followers through spiritual warfare.
Given that, the “job” cannot always be contained to 40 hours in a week, or eight hours in a day. Bad things happen in the middle of the night that people need their spiritual leaders for. Yet today, we have a lot of people serving in ministry who, like the Marine grunt, find the demands of “war” too inconvenient for them and their families.
That’s where the service requiring sacrifice comes into play. Every potential church leader needs to sit down with spouses and family before entering the ministry and work through the issue that serving in church leadership will require some sacrifice, and it’s better to make some decisions together as to what you’re willing to sacrifice and how you can do that as a couple or a family. Working together will help you be better able and willing to face those times of sacrifice when they come.
And for those who want ministry to be just another job, perhaps with some service but without the sacrifice, it would probably be wise you find an actual job elsewhere.
Now, for Christians not serving in vocational ministry, we see that often about 80 percent of the work done in the church is carried out by about 20 percent of the people. Real service and sacrifice is extraordinarily shallow among those whose Leader calls His followers to give their whole lives in service.
A primary inhibitor to service or sacrifice is the “worship” of children by parents. Today’s parents wrap their lives around the activities of their children, then say they can do little or nothing else because they are too busy.
Here’s a simple question: who signed the kids up for all those activities? Parents, you actually can create time to serve in the church and minister to the community by not signing your children up for every activity offered in your city. Maybe they will have to pick one or two sports to be involved in. Instead of playing every sport, taking dance, learning an instrument, studying a language, and doing mixed martial arts, you may have to limit what you offer your children so all of you can actually do what is the greatest calling in all of your lives: serving Jesus Christ.
Making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives is taking on a life of service and sacrifice. Jesus said it this way, “Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
Today, as we make time to remember those who have been great servants by offering the greatest sacrifice — that of their lives — let’s use this as an opportunity to consider the service and sacrifice we are offering. After all, it is impossible to follow Christ without both service and sacrifice.
Scotty
June 1, 2010 at 1:29 am
How does all this factor in when you are one of the 20% and you experience burn-out? What is suppose to happen when you need to take a break from service?
Are you now looked down upon or cast aside because you have put someone out? Aren't there times when we need to stop being the 20% and heal?
I am rather disappointed that I have taken a break from ministry and not one of the people that I served with has even checked in on me. To be honest makes me want to sign the kids up for flag football.
Yes I know it isn't about me, it is about Jesus. How can I be a good servant when I am broken?
June 1, 2010 at 1:50 am
Thanks for sharing this, and let me share a few thoughts. First, it frustrates me to hear when someone has burned out; leadership needs to help guard against that happening.
There are times that all of us need refreshing, re-filling and re-energizing, encouragement and being ministered to. Jesus Himself routinely withdrew for this purpose. The key is, we need to make sure we're doing this while we serve to keep us from burning out.
With that said, be encouraged you're tired but not done, down but not out. Take time to refresh yourself with Christ. Make sure you gain a new focus on Christ rather than be distracted by the responses of others because, sadly, since the church is made up of imperfect people, you may be disappointed. And while the church can shine the most bright when people are in need, it can also disappoint the most when people need ministering to.
Enjoy some real time of communion with Christ, and enjoy those who you're close to who will be a gentle encouragement to you, and you will find you will bounce back quickly.
One last thing, when God shows your your next step in service, build in those regular times for rest and refreshment. We want to avoid having wounded soldiers!