Dear Pastor/Leader,
You know, I’ve been thinking, “How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!” When we move in unity the tribe grows and matures. I’ve been thinking about how blessed each church is with dynamic people, teams, and leaders. However, I also know how tempting it is to choose to heed only one's own gift and perspective while doing ministry. We often find it inconvenient to wait, listen, submit, and move with others.
We often think that...
…a leader is most happy when she/he is in “control”.
…a leader is most at peace when she/he has no “conflict”.
But do we realize that leaders are most fruitful when she/he walks in unity with others?
In order to walk in unity, you have to work on “listening”. The church is called to be choir not a collection of solo acts. And did you know you can’t really harmonize if you can’t or won’t listen? As leaders, we must become great harmonizers. I like the NLT version of Psalm 133:1: “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” Notice how it doesn’t say, how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in productivity. Productivity is important, but living together in harmony is good and pleasant.
Check out the PDF to the 5 Fold Ministry with it’s Roles Defined, Core Tasks Described, Potential Explained and Negative Impact Shown if we Monopolize Power (by Alan Hirsch). I often go back to this to make sure I’m moving in humility and in unity. There are many times I’ve fallen short but I believe in team work, therefore I continue to remind myself of this beautiful gift God’s given the church, i.e. the Five Fold Ministry. I invite you to look over your “gift” and see how beautiful and powerful it can be when it is used in harmony with others.
Balance is boring, harmony is dynamic… let’s go for harmony.
Two Questions |
1. How does Hirsch’s explanation of the 5 Fold ministry help you think about your role and the role of others in your ministry?
2. Who can you make a greater effort to harmonize with? I.e., who can you spend time listening to and appreciating, so that you can harmonize with them, rather than expect everyone to harmonize with you?