Thoughts Along The Journey

Most of us were excited when we joined our first church planting team; excited to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Whatever form that church planting team took (translation, mercy ministry or small group outreach), we quickly recognized the benefit of being part of a team that was more than just one (1) person engaged in the work.

However, at some point, the team or a team member called us to account for the work that we had or had not been doing.  It may not have been something major, but our reaction made the proverbial ‘molehill into a mountain’.  To put it in other words, we took it personally.  Someone else was taking us to task; our work was being put into question. 

In that moment, we made the conscious choice to centre the work in which we were engaged around ourselves.  It was more about us in the end than it was about God’s purposes in this world.

I would argue that many of us easily slip into this mindset and way of thinking. And in many respects, it’s a natural reflex. However, the Scriptures are clear that the work that God has called us to is His work: “I will build My church”.  We don’t read that text as “David, Paul, Laura or Heidi will build God’s church”.  And yet, by our actions and reactions, we often say that very thing.

The mission, the vision that God has called us to as a community beats or trumps all!

When you find yourself reacting to the feedback or criticisms of others by defending yourself and putting yourself at the centre of what God is doing in the world, step back and take a deep breath.  And remember, or ask someone else to remind you, that the work is first and foremost about Him and His vision, His project for this world.

That’s why we need the larger community. That’s why we work in teams.

Filed under: Accountability, Teams, Vision |