Am I equipping or being equipped?

Most churchgoers are simply content to do their time in the pew, toss a few coins in the plate, and drive home, content until next week.

If you're reading this, I bet you're one whom has thrown themselves into fray, seeking the arms of the Father, aware you're a prodigal, yet assured you're a beloved child.

You're serving, living a life of worship, aware that everything you do is for God's glory.  But in the back of your mind you wonder: am I properly equipped to do what I need to do?  What's expected of me?  Where are the boundaries in my service?

Which is why the church (and those who are are the gifts Christ gave to it) need to focus on equipping God's people – especially those volunteers who are equipping others.  The equipping may not be what the church leadership thinks it should be.  If you're a pastor or a ministry director, have you considered asking your volunteers what they need to be properly equipped (and how they are motivated)?

After all, the role of good communications is to understand what your audience is listening for, not what you think they need to hear.

A bit of behavioral psychology and profiling may be in order, to understand what motivates (and demotivates key volunteer leaders.  Short of that, making expectations clear for what their roles are, and then equipping and empowering individuals to serve, can make up for the behavior analysis.

In practice: If you want to serve, make the way ready.  It may be another volunteer's role to prepare the way, in order for you to step in and serve.  It may be your role to prepare the way for another. Are both of you prepared?

We want to be like everybody else... just different

"Why does everybody look at me like I'm different?"

An innocent question asked by a young individual, for which the answer doesn't come easily.  Perhaps through clothing that sets them apart (or isolates them), not wearing the Hollister or Abercrombie or American Eagle.  Or because they aren't included among the small groups, preferring to spend time by themselves (by choice or by necessity).  Perhaps because they are awkward in small groups (and larger groups).  Perhaps because they are not like us.

Why different?  And if so, why are we so uncomfortable with an individual's differences that we can't find a way to reach out to them, to include them, to make them feel welcome?

Is it because we think we know better?  In our desire to be loved and accepted, we seek out those who will accept us as we are, because they are like us – and politely avoid those who aren't like us – even though we have the opportunity to give them what we all are seeking: love and acceptance.

Whether it's in a student group, or in our main church services, in small groups, in service opportunities... we all know who I'm talking about.  We avoid them, but they are like the people that Christ reached out to, associated with, welcomed into his presence. 

At some point, we are the outsiders.  Who will reach out to us and include us in their circle?  What happens when we have to ask, "Why do you look at me like I'm different?"

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Equipping the saints: Be ready for today

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I need to be ready for tomorrow," or "I know that God is preparing me today for the future."

But what about today?  All of the experiences, the insights, the wisdom and knowledge you have right now has prepared you for... today.

I remember long conversations with people who are so concerned with discerning God's will for their future, that they miss what He has allowed in their lives that has equipped them to be who they are, and where they are.  They are oblivious of the moment, of the day.

I've talked with people who are so paralyzed by indecision because they fear choosing the wrong path.  If it's the wrong path, then God will make that clear to you as well… and guide you to where He wants you through the decision you made.

Don't be afraid to choose.  Often our faith is proven by the choices we make, and being aware that who we are today is by God's design.

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