Keeping Leaders Aflame
Robert J. Morgan
October 1, 1996
Josh was one of the most zealous workers we'd seen at church, but I realized
he was three steps beyond "weary in well doing" when I read his letter:
"My walk with the Lord is nonexistent. I've allowed the pressure of church
work to crowd out time with God. Now it seems impossible to get back in touch
with him. We've also gotten seriously into debt, and I've been trying to
do "ministry" while working five part-time jobs. I'm short with my wife and
kids, and we're having problems. I'd like to talk to you … "
To keep volunteers from stagnation, frustration, and burnout, I'm learning
from several pages in the Operations Manual.
Ezekiel: think empathetically
A friend dropped out of pastoring for awhile, taking a "normal" job. He later
told me, "I have new respect for lay people. I can't possibly do everything
I once asked of my workers."
I've thought a lot about his words. He was learning, like Ezekiel, to sit
where they sat (Ezek. 3:15). When we do, we gain respect for people's schedules,
and we guard workers against overinvolvement.
Last night, I grew wary while chatting with a new member, a hard-driving
sales executive, thrilled with his new Christian life and eager to be involved.
"I've signed up for drama ministry," he told me. "We practice on Wednesdays.
I have Bible study on Thursday nights and church softball on Fridays. We're
going to a Sunday school function on Saturday."
"I don't expect you to be here every night of the week," I said.
As far as I'm concerned, the unwritten motto of lay ministry should be: One
Person, One Ministry. That may be unrealistic, but it gives us a goal and
keeps us sensitive to demands on our workers.
Nehemiah: create systems
Years ago, Jim, who was in charge ...
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