Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Matthew 28:16-17
You are probably familiar with the 80/20 principle of organizational dynamics. It holds that, in any organization of any kind, once it hits its stride and “normalizes”, 20% of the people are doing 80% of the “work”. I’m sure you have heard at least some version of it. I dislike that principle as it relates to the church. You probably do as well. I have tried and tried over the years to kick against it, because it is not indicative of the “revolution” I believe Jesus intended. If you are a leader in the church, you have probably tried to work against it as well, with varying degrees of success.
Want a sobering reality check? Listen to some of the 80%…
I am that dynamic, gifted young leader in the church whom you ask year after year to take on a responsibility and I just keep turning you down. I have doubts.
I am one of the huge percentage of your church members who is pretty steadily there for worship but have never darkened the doors of prayer meeting on Wednesday night. I have doubts.
We are part of that handful of couples who seem so spiritually mature in Bible study discussion but who choose not to be there more than half the time. We have doubts.
I am one of your elders or even staff members who start off so well but whose commitment dwindles over time and you begin to lose me. I have doubts.
I am one of the 15 e-mails in your inbox right now from church members who want to point out problems in the church, as compared to ZERO e-mails from anyone offering actual solutions. All 15 of us have doubts.
The truth is, I (as one of the 80%) have doubts about God, about church, and even about you. But be encouraged. After 3 years of life-changing ministry with Him, after seeing Him speak to the storm and calm the sea, after witnessing His feeding of the 5,000, after watching Him face crucifixion with unbelievable authority and peace, and after the miracle of the resurrection…Jesus’ own disciples had doubts as well. So bear with me and show me a little grace. Be patient. They came around. Maybe I will too.
To be one of God’s Shepherds is a very important calling. It must be undertaken very carefully with God’s word as our guidance. Paul warned in the book of Acts about wolves invading the Ephesian flock.
Acts 20:29 NIV
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Recognizing the wolf in us before we serve. What might be some of the charachteristics of wolves today? Some may be seeking recognition, glory, the slap on the back for a job well done. A slap on the back is great as long as that is not your motivation. Our motivation must always be stoked by our love of God!
Luke 20:46 NIV
“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.
Most wolves do not even know they are wolves. It takes real soul searching and cold hard looks in the mirror.
James 1:23 NIV
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror. 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.
Nothing better than a German Shepherd that recognizes their own wolf charachteristics but instead of utilizing them for selfish motiviations uses them to protect the flock.
Sheep in nature have no natural way to fight off wolves, they depend on the Shepherd called by God.
John 10:12 NIV
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.