August 29, 2007
-
What to do …
It’s amazing how one’s life can go from manageable to one seemingly bursting from the seams. In a span of one week, a co-worker was promoted to upper management (good for him) but that meant the loss of his position and the distribution of his work to the rest of the team. Following that two co-workers have put in their two-week notice which again means distribution of workloads and increasing the number of weekend work shifts. How bad is that for a team of eight (soon to be seven) to lose three people in basically a week. Our team was already pretty busy but now I guess we’re heading to the overworked stage.
So I know it looks bad in my mind but we’ll hire people … eventually. Then everything will be normal again. It’s just a matter of when that will happen.The real issue at hand is about time and my potential use of it. I’ve been asked to discern God’s will about serving on the church Board for the next two years. My immediate response was “Thanks, but that’s OK.” I had served on the Board for six years previously and honestly, that was a very draining experience physically, mentally and especially spiritually. I learned a lot about relying on God and how my particular way of thinking doesn’t always mix with how the rest of the church leadership thinks. Thankfully, through God’s grace I know the church leadership is changing and becoming more God centered in it’s thinking. (This isn’t supposed to be a discouragement to those discerning the same decision.) I figured that currently I don’t have much time to spare. That if I were to decide to be on the Board I would have to give up something such as leading our weekly Bible study. Both are extremely time consuming but I felt my spiritual growth is much better served being a Bible study leader but what matters more is what would give more glory to God? So unless I got a clear sign from God I would continue to stand fast in my decision to not be on the Board.
We’ve been studying the book of Revelation and preparing study on the seven churches (Chapters 2 and 3) I sorta felt the Holy Spirit revealing certain things about these churches. Especially the church of Sardis and the church of Philadelphia. The church at Sardis was alive physically but dead spiritually. Their routine was set, the church was not glorifying God in any way because the people had become complacent and smug. They needed to be woken up spiritually. Yet the church in Philadelphia was the opposite. A small, yet vibrant church that Christ was pleased with. Even in the time of opposition and trials they continued to glorify God. Every opportunity to bring glory to Him they did. Was this a sign that being on the Board was the best way for me to do bring glory to God? To take the opportunities presented to our church and help ensure that we are not a spiritually dead church?
With more work looming, would that interfere with church or should the question be presented in a different fashion? Is work interfering with church? (And obviously I’m leaving out how all this would affect my time with the wife which I believe both would do so in a substantial manner.)
What to do? I have no clue …
I just wish I had some mac and cheese to eat.
Comments (4)
The reason why you do not know what to do is that this decision goes beyond you and requires prayer because you are being called to ask for help from others to be successful at what you are proposing. There two important people God has put in your life to help you but have no idea about the requirements of what you are attempting. I posted the following on my wall: James 1:5 and Prov. 3:5.
Whoever this affects–you are *advised* to consult with. You already know if this affects the spouse, you will also benefit from the advice and consent and support of your spouse. If this affects your work, you will also want a supportive supervisor so that work is supporting rather than contradicting the idea you suggested. In any event, this is not a task you will complete without having a Nehemiah-like prayerful prepared discussions with at least two people who God knows to be important. This goes without saying that letting the person who asked you make the decision is not ideal because that person might be out of the prayer loop with respect to ensuring the compatibility of responsibilities that your spouse and supervisor will have for you in the months and years ahead.
FYI — w/r to the Revelations study. John MacArthur series on “When Jesus Comes” is happening, check it out at http://www.gty.org. Good stuff. Solid biblical teaching. Free CD lesson available for those who never contacted Grace to You (1-800-55-Grace, letters at gty . org) entitled “Jesus is coming.” ( otherwise the CD is $5. )
Shyeah, I applaud your desire to glorify God and for acknowledging your husbandly duties for those things should continue to be top priority! Ditto with Joefunguy, abundant prayer and good counsel are paramount.
My two and a half cents: While godly leadership is important, remember it is the hearing of the Word that changes hearts, not political activism. So whatever you end up doing, remember to share, teach, & reinforce the centrality of the Gospel message — belief, repentance & submission to the grace, mercy & lordship of Christ Jesus. If the members do not have this in their hearts no act of church board decisions will tranform souls for the glorious & wondeful Kingdom.
Argh, excuse the typos.
Happy Labor Day! Haha.
Sorry, one more thought: Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Jansen’s old church) is hosting a seminar on Gospel Growth vs. Church Growth. My pastors are going, and I am hoping to join them as well. It is held on October 30 to November 1, 2007. Speakers are pastor Mark Dever (CHBC), Phillip D. Jensen, and Tony Payne. More info: http://www.matthiasmedia.com.
Mark Dever has long been a proponent of biblical gospel growth (versus the faddish methodologies promoted in the Xtian bookstores. *sigh* ). Should be an excellent Christ-centered seminar!