The Power Of One Word

I am a big fan of high school ministry. I was employed as a chaplain for 4 years and got to experience, first hand, the rewards that come from well executed, well delivered and well thought through programs. I love getting among young people, in their environment, where they rule the yard and where their characteristics, norms and behaviours begin to evolve.  I find it an essential and enjoyable part of youth ministry.

 

However, throughout the week I have a lot of things that call my attention. I have attendance roles to check, services to plan, pastoral calls to make, sermons to write and Occupational Health and Safety matters to ignore (only joking). Throughout my short career in youth ministry, I found one word that saved me from wasting my time on what wasn’t important and refocused my mind to what deserved my complete attention. That word is simply… “NO!”

 

You can’t say yes to everyone

 

 

If you’re seen as a person in your church community that is passionate and competent, you will quickly and unsurprisingly become the centre of attention for many pastors and leaders in need of help. Expect phone calls, expect taps on the shoulder and expect a lot of, “we’ve been praying and think you would be perfect for x,y and z”. This shouldn’t surprise or frustrate you. Matt 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few”. There is always more work to be done!

 

The sign of a great leader is someone who has the strength of character and the humility to say, “I’m sorry. I can’t do that. It’s not my focus”. As the leaders of a ministry or leaders in a ministry, we need to respect what God has made us accountable for and be diligent in protecting the integrity of our responsibilities. If you’re saying yes to something you are saying no to something else and when we spread ourselves too thin our potential level of impact is damaged.

 

I know that God will give you everything you need to be successful in ministry. My prayer is that we will all learn what deserves our “yes” and what deserves our “no”.

 

Much love,

 

Carl.