There’s Only One Holy Spirit, and It’s Not Me…or You
No one enters a season of ministry thinking, “I’m going to use my offering to the Lord as a method of punishment and guilt against my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
But unless we remember some very important principles, that is exactly what can happen. Especially when we are bridging the gap between church staff and volunteers.
Passion for our calling can quickly become a tool of Biblical guilt when wielded against our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
None of us mean for this to happen, so let’s take a deeper look at how my passion turns into your shame.
When the Holy Spirit calls a believer into a ministry of using their spiritual gifts, there is a beautiful and redemptive picture of a life laid down in offering to the Lord. There is purpose and assurance. However, a believer who is serving in a ministry because they feel a sense of guilt or even a deep people-pleasing mentality, there is exhaustion and ultimately resentment and disillusionment.
This is where, as a spiritual leader, we have to lean in and discern God’s purpose for ourselves and for our ministry. And when we make sure we are on the same page as God, then we can trust Him to bring those who He has called to serve alongside us.
We can lead our ministry off-center when as well-meaning, passion-filled people, we attempt to fill the role of the Holy Spirit in anyone else’s life and tell them where and how they should be serving.
So what are the practical steps we can take to ensure this does not happen?
I’m going to say something that will, at first, sound controversial. I promise it’s not, so hang in there.
First, stay in your lane. Then take those blinders off so you don’t get tunnel vision.
Here’s what I mean.
Staying in our lane means understanding that my calling is not necessarily your calling. Listen again, my calling is not necessarily your calling.Taking the blinders off means you graciously work as a team, a Body.
Here is an example (and I promise this is a random example and not towards anyone or any ministry). Chill out and don’t become easily offended. That’s another step, but I digress.
Perhaps God has called me to widows’ ministry, and I joyfully serve in this ministry. And because I joyfully serve, I want others to serve with me. No fault there. But here’s the rub: maybe my sister in Christ has a calling on her life to work with foster kids, and even though she certainly can serve the widows with love and honor, she will not feel whole in her personal walk with God until she is living in her own calling, not yours.
Just because you or I or your brother or sister CAN fulfill a ministry need, it does not mean we or they SHOULD.
A calling is a God thing, not a you or me thing.
If God has called you to a ministry, He will fulfill the needs you have for help within the Body.
Now for those blinders.
The church is a Body of believers, not just a big toe pushing itself over the finish line! Work together or you will find yourself working exhausted and alone.
Next, be sure the work you are doing within your calling is in line with God’s calling. Sometimes, we are guilty of planning events rather than ministry. I’m not saying events are bad in any way! Events offer fellowship for our church body and our community. Events are opportunities to share the Gospel and the love of God with others who might not otherwise come to a Sunday morning gathering.
But…we should count the cost first.
What is the purpose?
Does it honor God or highlight us?
What is the practical plan for making this happen?
Do we have enough volunteers onboard with the plan to make it successful?
These questions remind me of an old adage I heard on a woodworking show (yes, my husband loves woodworking, “Measure twice and cut once”
Before an event moves forward, it is wise to sit down with staff, to sit down with those involved in the ministry, and to assess the need and the desire for this event to happen.
And here is the hard part, if you don’t have enough volunteers willing to help…then you might want to consider holding off. It might not be a ‘no’ but a ‘wait’.
Better to serve with excellence than mediocrity.
And if people say no, oh this is hard, it is not our job to tell them how God has gifted them for OUR service and they are disobedient to Him when they tell us no.
Ouch.
Obviously, the Holy Spirit may impress upon us, or the person may ask what we think. That’s a different scenario and must be addressed with love and grace and discernment. But in general, we have to let God deal with His other kids.
I promise, you and I have enough to deal with in our own Spiritual walk.
Finally, express appreciation.
I cannot say it enough!
The world is full of people who will take advantage of those who are tenderhearted enough to offer a helping hand.
Don’t be one of those people!
And yes, they are within the church…and might I say in my own mirror at times.
People desperately need to know they matter.
Never should your volunteers leave an event without knowing you appreciate them being there.
Always remember, your job is their volunteer time.
They are not obligated to be where you think they should be.
Be thankful.
For servants in the Body, whether that is staff or leadership roles within the church, we are called to a higher purpose.
And it is not always easy.
This old saying still holds true, “ministry would be a whole lot easier without the people.” And I say, “Amen, ain’t that the truth?”
All joking aside, we are in the people business.
Not only are we in the people business, we are in God’s people business.
Steward the calling well, friends.