Ask any coach who he wants on the field when the game is on the line and he will answer, “my best players”. Ask any CEO who he wants in the room when a huge deal hangs in the balance and he will answer, “my best players”. Ask any competent leader who he or she wants involved in the most crucial situations and they will always answer, “my best players”.
If you are in ministry the situation is crucial EVERY Sunday because for each person that walks into your church the game is on the line and a huge deal hangs in the balance. Any of us who are in leadership have a responsibility to play our best. I’m not just referring back my last post where I suggest that we are always supposed to put forth our best effort. I am also talking about playing our best… players.
Now, let me be as transparent as I know how to be. My tendency each week is to be alright with “that’s not too bad” instead of “that is our best”. My tendency is to put more weight on someone’s effort level instead of their execution quality. My tendency is try to find the one reason I should allow something to stay a part of the service (because of all the work that went into it) as opposed to quickly eliminating it because it doesn’t work as we had hoped.
I used to believe that tendency was a good thing. I told myself I was having a positive attitude or that I was supporting my team. Now, I believe that tendency is wrong and I may even go as far to say that it is sin.
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
Those of us in leadership love the first and last sentence… we love them so much we might skip over the middle one. Unfortunately, God does not. He adds the little phrase, “must give an account”. An account for what you might ask? I believe the account will be for the way we lead the people AND the situations we have authority over.
If all of this is true (and I believe that it is) then I am responsible for playing my best AND playing my best.
Does this mean that you should never give someone who is untested a try or never take a chance on something when the outcome is risky? NO. It simply means that when you take the chance on the person or the situation – as much as it depends upon you – you can say with integrity that you have played your best AND played your best. In most cases, though, we’re not faced with really taking chances on people or elements… we simply have to be honest in our evaluation of the person or the situation and be bold enough to do what is best… by playing our best.
I am learning that the stakes are too high to put someone’s feelings at the forefront of my decisions. I am learning that the stakes are too high to compromise the effectiveness of the most important message this world will ever hear by shrinking back from tough conversations. I am learning that the stakes are too high to put (or leave) someone in a ministry role (staff or volunteer) that they love but cannot execute with effectiveness.
When everything is said and done, we all will stand before our maker and have to answer the question “Did you play your best?” If you are a leader, I believe, you will face a follow up question, “Did you play your best?”
Good stuff Shane. Hard to swallow but good.
Typical Rhetoric from a “seeker” program driven church pastor…….
The CHURCH is people,(imperfect people) a community of believers trying to learn to be like Jesus and trying to be led by the Holy Spirit…….NOT a performance or excellency in Programming…….
I agree as long we remember that who we think is the best may not be who God thinks is the best…he always chose people no one else would choose (fishermen, tax collectors, shepherds, etc). If we rule from a performance or “outer cup” mentality, we miss the heart of God, while at the same time if we are careless and irresponsible with the ministry God has given us, we will lose impact.
You can’t go one way or the other, you just gotta be close to the heart of God!
It amazes me that so many people are so quick to dish it out on those who are dedicated to making the Gospel “attractive.” (Titus 2:10) Why is it that we’re ok with the church being mediocre? When I take photos at someone’s wedding, I am expected to give it my best. When I design someone’s logo and business package, I’m expected to give my best. When I design a website, I’m expected to give it my best. Why is it then, when a church is dedicated to giving it all and doing it the best way possible, that some turn their noses up? Yes, WE ARE the church. Yes, we are a bunch of screwed up individuals, who, were it not for the grace of God, would still be lost. Is God not worth our best?
Good stuff Shane! I’ve always found it interesting that some people feel as if the church has done something wrong when it takes sound business principals and applies them to a church. “We” expect our mechanics to use the best parts on our cars. We expect our teachers to give us the best education. We expect our bankers to make the best investment decisions with our money. But when it comes to church we demand mediocrity and become critical of the church if it strives for excellence.
Christ gave us His best. I don’t think it’s too much to ask to give Him our best in ourselves and our churches.
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Shane I really appreciate your transparency. Its somethying Ive noticed from the first time I met you over two years ago. I raelly treasure yours and Seans friendship to me. Thanks and keep being transparent. Friends Forever IN CHRIST.