Do you have what it takes to be a GREAT church staff member?
I'm not talking about that MDiv diploma on display.
Or the ten years experience on your resume.
I'm talking about what it REALLY takes to be a good staff member.
Are you agreeable?
Are you sympathetic?
Are you loving?
Are you compassionate?
Are you humble?
Those are the admonitions from I Peter 3 for all of us.
But wait. It gets better.
There is to be no retaliation.
No sharp-tongued sarcasm.
Ouch. Really?
(If 'sharp-tongued sarcasm' was a spiritual gift, I'm pretty sure I score highly. Probably much higher than you.)
What should we do instead?
One word: Bless.
Bless? Yes, Bless. That's your job (and mine)... to bless.
Here's what Peter says will happen when you bless. Two things, actually:
1. You'll BE a blessing.
2. You'll GET a blessing.
Here are the power-packed words from I Peter 3:8 (from the Message... because it's early and the first day in the office for most of us):
"Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing."
It's a four day work week (three for those that regularly take Friday off). What would happen in your ministry if you made it your goal to be more agreeable, more sympathetic, more loving, more compassionate, and more humble?
What if you diverted all of your sharp-tongued criticism to your cat? (it's ok... he's already judging you).
Join me on the journey this week. As we bless others, we, in turn, will be blessed.
It will ultimately help you lead your church well.
I'm not talking about that MDiv diploma on display.
Or the ten years experience on your resume.
I'm talking about what it REALLY takes to be a good staff member.
Are you agreeable?
Are you sympathetic?
Are you loving?
Are you compassionate?
Are you humble?
Those are the admonitions from I Peter 3 for all of us.
But wait. It gets better.
There is to be no retaliation.
No sharp-tongued sarcasm.
Ouch. Really?
(If 'sharp-tongued sarcasm' was a spiritual gift, I'm pretty sure I score highly. Probably much higher than you.)
What should we do instead?
One word: Bless.
Bless? Yes, Bless. That's your job (and mine)... to bless.
Here's what Peter says will happen when you bless. Two things, actually:
1. You'll BE a blessing.
2. You'll GET a blessing.
Here are the power-packed words from I Peter 3:8 (from the Message... because it's early and the first day in the office for most of us):
"Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing."
It's a four day work week (three for those that regularly take Friday off). What would happen in your ministry if you made it your goal to be more agreeable, more sympathetic, more loving, more compassionate, and more humble?
What if you diverted all of your sharp-tongued criticism to your cat? (it's ok... he's already judging you).
Join me on the journey this week. As we bless others, we, in turn, will be blessed.
It will ultimately help you lead your church well.
