FlowerDust.net | Anne Jackson

THE COMPETITION-DRIVEN CHURCH

We are creatures needing affirmation. And the spotlight seems to promise us everything we’ve ever wanted. Whether it’s an actual spotlight on the platform, in front of an adoring congregation, or a more passive spotlight – perhaps you glow under the praise of a certain leader – it’s natural that we seek out opportunities in which we can shine at our best.

One of the problems I see plaguing unhealthy environments is ego. Ego can be loud and abrasive or it can be subtle and deceiving. Either way, it’s the antithesis of the character of Christ.

Society today is competitive. We feel that our voices must be the loudest and carry the furthest in order to be heard and validated. It breaks my heart when I hear pastors of small churches say, “we only had seventy-five people today” or “only two hundred people showed up.”

Only? I’m sorry. Are those seventy-five or two hundred people not enough for you?

I am not going go into length discussing the perceived importance of numbers. Keeping track of “how many” is a valid metric to measure some kinds of effectiveness in what we are doing. Numbers do represent people. Christ did say that he would grow his Church.

However, our view is so limited as far as what that actually looks like in our church today.

Unfortunately, I think numbers have become an addiction. We flaunt our numbers, we despise our numbers, we fret about our numbers. Our numbers can validate us. But they shouldn’t. We have absolutely no right to know how God is using us. We only need to know he is, and be grateful.

This spirit of competitiveness (whether clearly stated or implied) has damaged so many churches and leaders who haven’t seen the same “success.” After hearing it over and over again, leaders who aren’t as “successful” start believing the lies that maybe God just hasn’t blessed them like he “blesses” other churches or leaders. And at that point, those leaders either shut down or they begin to be driven by their need for man’s affirmation.

Just yesterday, I met with a church leader. She went to a church creative leadership conference (and she is self-admittedly a conferenceaholic, loving to meet other leaders to encourage and network). But after walking through some hard times in her own church and ministry, at the conference, she sat on the back row and wept.

“How can I ever keep up with this? I’m just not good enough.”

Looking back, she knows that nobody is good enough and it is by the grace of God we do what we can do, but when most churches are under or around 500 people, with little resources, although aspects of these conferences are practical…it seems like a lot of times, they can do more damage than good.

Not because a host intendeds to flaunt their stuff. Not because they are able to hire professionals when someone else is lucky to have found Bob who can play guitar on Sundays. But because the church culture has gotten so competitive. And it’s happened so slowly, we don’t even notice it.

When we think our calling is to be the biggest, the most creative, or the best, we have completely lost sight of the only important fact.

And that is that we are called.

===
[this is an excerpt that may or may not be cut from Mad Church Disease. thought i'd give yall a little peek as i finish editing this week].

STARBUCKS AND WORMS: WHY I AM GIVING UP STARBUCKS

two years ago, being the color-coded spreadsheet chart-and-graph making weirdo that i am, i decided to analyze chris’ and my starbucks spending pattern. in april and may 2006, we spent $237.21 (or $118.61/month) on coffee drinks that make us gain weight.

seeing it on paper like that was a shock, so we have cut back significantly.

well, at least, that’s what i thought.

i just went in and added up our starbucks for the last two months. in april and may 2008, we spent $42.82 (or $21.41/month) on coffee drinks that make us gain weight. actually, that is way more than i thought (and hoped) it would be.

monday, i shared with you a decision the pinkhairedgirl and i made to forgo our annual tradition of tattooing. with that donation, the one-month salary for a rescue center employee was just paid. with crystal’s donation on top of mine, two employees had their salary paid.

today, i am sharing with you my “no more paying for starbucks” decision. i am not going to buy anything at starbucks for the next year. the java chip frapp i am sipping on right now will be my last until june 1, 2009. i am taking that money ($20) and de-worming 128 kids a month. because really? that is a lot of kids with worms and that just isn’t right.

i am sharing these facts and figures with you not as a “oh, check out MY sacrifice” kinda thing…but to show you that we are putting our money where our mouth is (or perhaps taking away our money from where our mouth is?)

your starbucks fund can help feed children. even if you just gave up two or three lattes a month, look at what you can do.

as aaron said earlier…we are unapologetically asking for your help and sacrifice.

it’s your turn. you will make a decision today. what will you do?

WILL YOU GIVE UP YOUR STARBUCKS (OR _________) WITH ME? ONE YEAR. DARE YA.

my thoughts on boobies

did you know?

–there is a female feature we call breasts. they can also be referred to as “boobies,” or “the twins,” or “the rack,” or “jugs,” so on, so forth.

–most men find this particular feature interesting. tempting. and amazing.

–upon catching a glimpse of said feature (regardless of how much is actually exposed), it is likely for a man’s mind to go to places it shouldn’t.

–with above knowledge, women, you now are educated and have no excuse.

–PLEASE USE WISDOM WHEN YOU DRESS YOURSELF.

aside: call me a prude. call me whatever. i don’t really care. and as much as this may seem like “casting judgment” (said in a very, scary, echo-y loud voice) on members of the female gender, please get a freaking clue.

i was doing some bloggy-clicking-around during my lunch and it amazes me how many “nice christian girls” (some who are even in church leadership - gasp!) show quite a bit of skin. in the office, at church parties, whatever (oh, and then post them ALL OVER THE INTERNET!)

please forgive me if it seems i have something stuck, as they say, where the sun don’t shine.

I DO.

it’s called modesty.

and if you are supposed to be living examples of godly women…you should too!

that is all.

sermon over.

please, carry on.

[this is also part of watercooler wednesday!]