Seth Godin’s recently written a post titled “Different Kinds of Work” which got me thinking about some of my disillusionment in people within the Church recently…
There are so many jobs/ministries/roles/things that people seem ok to put up with, whether it be finance and property committee, the flower roster, making sandwiches for morning tea, washing dishes, cleaning the building, reading the scriptures to putting up with long and boring sermons…
And yet…
And yet when we ask them to look people in the eye, be creative, brainstorm, be generous, find a way to communicate with a young person, work with a bully, learn a new skill, dream of a new way of being Church or bring joy to Church, suddenly the excuses pile up. Is this a different sort of ministry/role/vocation? Is raising your hand in class too much to ask?
The Church that we’d all love to be a part of require us to take on roles and ministries like this. And yet we put up a fight when given the chance to do them well.
I’m reminded over and over again about a quote from Chap Clark in a lecture where he suggests that everyone seems to know what they need to doing order to have young people feel welcome and a part of the community, it’s just that we don’t seem to care enough to do it, instead we offer excuses.
About djwright
As a year 12 Sunday School in the Coptic Orthodox Church, I’ve been witness to the difficulties in keeping youth engaged as they make the transition to adulthood.
One idea we had was to make a video about “the apathy syndrome” I hope you enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJGAgz1x_WY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOh6yAylyo
I feel the burden and often times overwhelming angst to keeps youth engaged. Their is a time lapse that appears to be taking place in which the observer is still. The youth are in constant motion and if we do not interact and proactively search for new and innovative ways to reach them the world will. You see as quick as the world keeps the trends moving our youth change.
I am passionate right now about reaching students in a new a fresh way. Doesn’t mean the method changes just asking God to send His Spirit to grab them. “As we minister outside the box, but inside the book, we will catch greater nets full.”
Keep seeking the Lord and praying for a moving of His Spirit!
Interesting post….I’m torn on this concept. On one hand I do get annoyed by people within a church that constantly want to change or improve something, but not lifting a finger to get the ball rolling.
On the other, I’m so thrilled that God created us all with unique abilities and talents. We need different personalities within a church to organize a church dinner, or care for children in the nursury, or tend to the landscaping, or visit the sick….
How great would it be if everyone in a congregation were able to say “here’s how I can best serve the church”?