There is a statement that I’ve heard over a thousand times in which I fully agree with: “you have to learn how to lead and love of out of the overflow of your life”. And I feel with some exceptions that most ministry leaders not only understand the importance of this principle, but also shift their life accordingly to uphold it.
There is another statement that I’ve heard hundreds of times that I fully agree with as well. But this principle I haven’t heard in staff meetings or ministry conferences as of late—I hear this every time I board an airplane. “In case of a sudden decrease in cabin pressure an oxygen mask will drop for you to place on your nose—if traveling with children please make sure to place your mask on first then place their mask on them.”
This statement covers the first ministry principle that we led off with, but speaks to one that I’m not sure we’re fully executing and talking about anymore. We’re very good at putting our own oxygen mask on while those around us are gasping for air.
This all hit me when I was reading this short book in the Bible without any chapters named Jude. It’s nestled in between III John and Revelation, a very precarious spot for this little book. In this book Jude is warning followers of Christ against godless men who are perverting, twisting, and manipulating the Gospel message for their own gain. They were taking the truth and coercing it into a compliant, self-preserving faith. (another post for another day)
But the verse that really struck me and convicted me was found in verse 12, “These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.” They are airline passengers who only give oxygen to themselves.
This wouldn’t be a big deal for me if it didn’t seem to be within my selfish and impure reach. It’s so easy to pursue personal growth, spiritual development, and a myriad of ministry visions and convictions. And what’s even more difficult about these endeavors is that we get applause, affirmation, and ministry credibility for almost all of these pursuits. And to be clear—these are God-honoring pursuits when the motives are pure and the impact gives glory to God. But unfortunately, I find within myself an ever constant battle brewing between pure and impure motives—between impacting God’s Kingdom and building my own—between investing and feeding those around me or hoarding the grain for myself.
And the scary landing point is that we become shepherds who only feed ourselves. We become consumed with our own stomachs being filled beyond what’s normal and healthy. We begin to see people as objects instead of people. We begin look for ladders to climb and agendas to fulfill. We belly up to the spiritual and ministry buffet and eat all we can. Simultaneously, those who are in our leadership wake are weak and malnourished. They keep following, wandering, and hoping for food and feasting from the ones who were called to be suppliers, developers, and shepherds.
And the end of the day there is a fine line for all of us leadership between being the one that is warned and being the one that is warned about.
Questions To Discuss:
What are the ripples of those in leadership who are only concerned about feeding themselves?
What are some personal and ministry indicators that we’re not feeding those that we’re leading?
What are some practical and realistic ways that we, as leaders, can pour into those that we’re leading?
There is another statement that I’ve heard hundreds of times that I fully agree with as well. But this principle I haven’t heard in staff meetings or ministry conferences as of late—I hear this every time I board an airplane. “In case of a sudden decrease in cabin pressure an oxygen mask will drop for you to place on your nose—if traveling with children please make sure to place your mask on first then place their mask on them.”
This statement covers the first ministry principle that we led off with, but speaks to one that I’m not sure we’re fully executing and talking about anymore. We’re very good at putting our own oxygen mask on while those around us are gasping for air.
This all hit me when I was reading this short book in the Bible without any chapters named Jude. It’s nestled in between III John and Revelation, a very precarious spot for this little book. In this book Jude is warning followers of Christ against godless men who are perverting, twisting, and manipulating the Gospel message for their own gain. They were taking the truth and coercing it into a compliant, self-preserving faith. (another post for another day)
But the verse that really struck me and convicted me was found in verse 12, “These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves.” They are airline passengers who only give oxygen to themselves.
This wouldn’t be a big deal for me if it didn’t seem to be within my selfish and impure reach. It’s so easy to pursue personal growth, spiritual development, and a myriad of ministry visions and convictions. And what’s even more difficult about these endeavors is that we get applause, affirmation, and ministry credibility for almost all of these pursuits. And to be clear—these are God-honoring pursuits when the motives are pure and the impact gives glory to God. But unfortunately, I find within myself an ever constant battle brewing between pure and impure motives—between impacting God’s Kingdom and building my own—between investing and feeding those around me or hoarding the grain for myself.
And the scary landing point is that we become shepherds who only feed ourselves. We become consumed with our own stomachs being filled beyond what’s normal and healthy. We begin to see people as objects instead of people. We begin look for ladders to climb and agendas to fulfill. We belly up to the spiritual and ministry buffet and eat all we can. Simultaneously, those who are in our leadership wake are weak and malnourished. They keep following, wandering, and hoping for food and feasting from the ones who were called to be suppliers, developers, and shepherds.
And the end of the day there is a fine line for all of us leadership between being the one that is warned and being the one that is warned about.
Questions To Discuss:
What are the ripples of those in leadership who are only concerned about feeding themselves?
What are some personal and ministry indicators that we’re not feeding those that we’re leading?
What are some practical and realistic ways that we, as leaders, can pour into those that we’re leading?
