Some of you know that one of my main passions is the martial arts, and that I spend a good (my parents would say disproportionate! ) amount of time training at my coach's gym. Lately, I've been teaching a lot of classes as well due to the fact that my coach's mum has been criticially ill. The irony is that far from being a drag on my schedule or a stressful situation, I've actually enjoyed it. Why is that? And why do I not get the same level of satisfaction from serving at church?
Now I know this is inherent blasphemy to some. And believe me, I've thought long and hard before writing this. Gym over church? Heresy! Hear me out first
I believe that one reason why most people don't want to serve at church in the first place, or give up serving is not because they are worldly (although some are) or not sacrificial. It is that their experience bucks one integral rule of continuing service - positive feedback. In other words, the sense that you are doing something useful and beneficial.
If I serve, and I see that I make a difference, and that my work is appreciated - I will endeavour to do more. But if I suffer ridicule, negative backchat and the slings and arrows from those whom I try to help - well, in the parlance of the times, only a doofus would stay.
So, this is the critical issue. If a church provided an environment where service - true service and not blind slavery - was appreciated, there would be a slew of people begging to want to part of this. But most times, the church is a full of mini napoleons, fiefdoms and self-interested groups which at times looks more like the secular world than my gym, which is avowedly secular.
The church was never supposed to look like that. It was intended to be a place where the light shone in the darkness. And those in the darkness would gravitate towards it. But instead, in many cases, it reflects the darkness so well that people get confused.
I now choose not to be a part of that mechanism, which is why I have gradually dropped my level of service in various ministries. Does this mean I love God less? On the contrary, this has given my faith a new and more vibrant dimension and I am more in touch with God than I ever have before. It's like throwing off a backpack full of rocks. A backpack is only useful if you have necessities like water, food etc. Rocks are useless, and thus, it is better discarded.
Discard what is useless. Appreciate the minimalism and sheer simplicity of a life in Christ alone. And then, you'll see the abundance.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Most of the time ppl are being ridiculed cause the party doing it are jealous... I guess??
Most people don't think of the effort put in, even if the job failed.
I'm expecting something this Sunday after service that there are gonna be people talking about my song choices, me walking around the stage (i don't think it's wrong to do so)
hmm..i agree that the lack of appreciation deters people from serving and makes serving a burden. i take sound system people as a prime example. if something goes wrong, the soundman receives all the stares and is blamed. but when everything goes alright, everyone acts as though the soundman doesn't exists. that is maybe one reason why we are short of sound and video people...they are so afraid that something goes wrong.
One cannot help but agree. One who has spent any time serving, that is. Ian's observation about the soundman struck a chord in me. As has oft been said, people don't appreciate what's there until it no longer is. Still, I suppose one does it for God rather than for the praise? Yeah, I know, you've heard that one a million times. But while serving may be of not much use as far as building your faith goes, I may attest that it has been so to at least one person here. *wink
Don't worry Ian! It takes patience to be a soundman cause you have to man everyone. A guitarist like me just have to man my amp whereas you have to make sure my amp comes out nicely on the speakers, if not I'll hantam you! :P
I don't think people needs praises for every good job. It's better that there is appreciation showed.
What about bad job? Need I say more, they won't let you forget it. Do 99 good but 1 bad, they'll remember the bad.
Check my blog for my latest post!
For me, I don't serve 100% because I don't feel the sincerity in church members. There are so many stories that I have read and seen for my self that I decided not to put in 100%. Not that I do not love GOD, just don't like the way people behave.
Or I should say, the more I see, The more I dislike...
Anyway, you got your point there. WE ought to focus our view on GOD, not people.
Whoa! Where did all this traffic come from?haha..
I totally agree with Jason on this part: "Most people don't think of the effort put in, even if the job failed"
What should differentiate us from the world is the way we treat people. But we bring the world's dictum of "if you succeed, you get praised. Fail..and we hantam you".
But the church doesn't do this and one should recognise the subtle guilt association that goes with it. Instead of using money to bribe you, they use the fear of offending God to do so - so many serve out of fear and guilt rather than joy and love
Yes, Ian. I totally concur - the soundman don't get no respect usually. Again, it's a sad reflection on how we idolise flashy things but forget the things in the background that really matter
Nick, first of all, welcome to my blog.Yes, it's sad because I've seen many examples of people's faith pulled down by the very people who should be building it up
However, this does not preclude us from serving as serving is a visible demonstration of our love for God. But as Jarrod says, this service might be tempered, muted, less than 100% for precisely those reasons
When I used to worship lead, I occasionally bought my team suppers and cakes to show them that I (even if no one else did) totally appreciated their service and dedication.
I think we need more of those visible shows of support from the church. Definitely. Not blank blur stares or gossiping about the choice of songs (btw, my auntie liked your choice of songs, Jason :-) )
Haha too many aunties and uncles liked the song choices.
You better keep it going this Sunday! :P
In time, you'll come to realise like I did that whether they like it or not is immaterial.
As they say in Sanskrit, it's all " Maya" - an illusion
Hey, since when did this become a Buddhist Blog? :-)
I'm more interested in their response to you. Did someone who hated the songs still come up to you and say "I loved your effort for the Lord, brother, even if the songs didn't resonate with me"
Ah,now when that happens...we'be got a REAL church!
Haha I'm guessing those who shook my hand and gave that super hard cold stare hated my songlist...
Post a Comment