I have been in so many situations where Christians have said they want to ‘watch’ other Christians to see if they are fit or ready for ministry. Ok, in theory I understand it. But here’s the problem. Do you know that this is an agenda that could interfere with the Lord’s work? How about with starting with understanding who this new person is? What are their struggles? Are they being fed? Are they safe? Do they understand their gifts, are they ok? Do they have shelter, food?
Do you know that “watching” a new person creates nothing more and a “We versus Them” mentality. What if the “them” sometimes needs to sit in the congregation or fellowship just to be fed, heal or learn about their gifts. Instead the “We” people approach the “Them” with this agenda - “are you going to join us, are you gonna serve, are you gonna bless people?”
This may sound petty, and especially if you think the person can serve and is a strong Christian, but it can be very damaging. This has been my frustration with leaders. It’s actually not a minor thing. Any environment where I have served, the Lord has led me there and it occurred naturally. It didn’t happen because someone was seeing if I could do it or not. And something crazy happened - I was fed too!!! Sooner or later the “Them” will find out they were just being “watched” the entire time and feel creeped out.
Unfortunately I have been in too many of these situations, and the Lord has told me to dust off my feet because the agenda of ministry was not right. Right now he has put me in the season of knowing how to be Loved, to receive, not being in the presence of those who were “watching” me. This means I am in a season of being filled by the Lord, so that I can give more. Each person has their own walk, a different season, and leaders in ministry should be careful to see where a new person’s needs are before they approach them with their ministry agenda.
I have wondered if Jesus was watched. Why YES He was and when He got wind, most of the time, he moved and left shortly after His work was done. And, He also left many of the “watchers” to sit in their own agenda, and to minister to those who could not be reached, outside the synagogues.
DoNotCopy
Do you know that “watching” a new person creates nothing more and a “We versus Them” mentality. What if the “them” sometimes needs to sit in the congregation or fellowship just to be fed, heal or learn about their gifts. Instead the “We” people approach the “Them” with this agenda - “are you going to join us, are you gonna serve, are you gonna bless people?”
This may sound petty, and especially if you think the person can serve and is a strong Christian, but it can be very damaging. This has been my frustration with leaders. It’s actually not a minor thing. Any environment where I have served, the Lord has led me there and it occurred naturally. It didn’t happen because someone was seeing if I could do it or not. And something crazy happened - I was fed too!!! Sooner or later the “Them” will find out they were just being “watched” the entire time and feel creeped out.
Unfortunately I have been in too many of these situations, and the Lord has told me to dust off my feet because the agenda of ministry was not right. Right now he has put me in the season of knowing how to be Loved, to receive, not being in the presence of those who were “watching” me. This means I am in a season of being filled by the Lord, so that I can give more. Each person has their own walk, a different season, and leaders in ministry should be careful to see where a new person’s needs are before they approach them with their ministry agenda.
I have wondered if Jesus was watched. Why YES He was and when He got wind, most of the time, he moved and left shortly after His work was done. And, He also left many of the “watchers” to sit in their own agenda, and to minister to those who could not be reached, outside the synagogues.
DoNotCopy
