When people want to move toward becoming more incarnational and missional in their ministry, often their chief obstacles are church structures and leadership that is more focused on the institution than on the mission of Jesus. The reality for many of us is: “If I really did what Jesus wanted me to do, I might lose my job.”
What does that tell you about how far from our roots we as a church have come? Jesus is calling us back to the simplicity of following him. Sacrifices and costs are involved. Are you willing to follow Jesus regardless? Or is job security more important?
Agree? Disagree? Give me your thoughts:
Robert Quinn in Deep Change says, ‘If you’re not risking your job, you’re not doing your job.’ I’ve actually run up against this lately when a major influencer in our church gave some serious opposition to our desire to move towards a more missional stance in our church. I’ve had to come to grips with this question, and feel we must press on to be about mission. The possible blowback is worth it compared to the alternative of ‘slow death.’
I own a small insurance and financial services company in the Midwest and have been asking myself this same question: am I willing to lose customers by sharing the gospel with them? So the challenge is not limited to pastors who serve in the church. Every follower of Christ everywhere should ask the question. To date, my answer has been “Yes” in my head, but “No” in my actions. I need to be, I want to be, upfront about Jesus and sharing my faith with those who do business with me. I need to do this. Thanks for the blog. And Darren, thanks for the quote, “If you’re not risking your job, you’re not doing your job.” That’s a nail-on-the-head-AMEN.
A challenging, if not prophetic word Bob. However, I’m not sure I know what the balance is. Is it wrong to consider how one will care for their family? If one does is this a sign that job security is more important than responding to the call of Christ?
There are many facets to answering the questions you are raising, Dave. Obviously one needs to care for his/her family and lovingly obey Jesus’ commands.
– Some people have sacrificed their families to pursue “God’s call”
– Others sacrifice their calling by not obeying the commands of Christ and serving the expectations of others in the church.
It requires wise leadership to guide people and ministries into greater involvement in the mission of Jesus. Foolish implementation of change could cost a leader his/her job.
Wise leaders also set appropriate boundaries and proactively meet the needs of their families.
The main point of my question still remains. I have met a number of leaders who have given up on responding to what they know Jesus wants them to do because they are afraid of a negative reaction from people. And in a point of obedience…is it better to obey God or obey people?
as stated already, challenging question. but you have to downshift and do the groundwork of nailing the thing(s) God is calling you to, especially if you have a family that is looking to you. I’ve seen some guys seemingly ‘lay hands on themselves’ and head into a ministry that they thought they were being called into and i really sit back and i wonder was it God? was it emotions? did it just get hard somewhere else and this was an easier route? Worthwhile question to wrestle down and make sure that change is Spirit driven and not guilt led.
Bob,
This is something I’ve thought of for a while as I’ve observed various teachings, or the lack thereof, from different pastors. It seems there is wisdom in the pastor’s approach too.
I’ve often wondered if this sort of fear is one of the reasons for the decline in deep theological teaching and the willingness to call sin what it is. I can easily see how one might find comfort in personal praise, a paycheck and material comfort.