Comments on: Brake On, Power Off http://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/01/brake-on-power-off.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:37:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Heatherhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/01/brake-on-power-off.html#comment-43533 Heather Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:37:58 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1134#comment-43533 I've been in church leadership before (Youth Director) and must admit that identifying gifts in my volunteers and delegating responsibility were not my strong points. I think a lot of the problem we have with sharing responsibility and trusting God to enable others to use their gifts effectively is the panic that if everything isn't done just right that people will leave. This is silly, of course; first of all, the people who would walk probably weren't there for the right reasons anyway. Secondly, it's the ability to offer one's gifts that makes people part of the body of Christ, perfect or not. I think part of the problem may be that those in leadership (especially paid staff) sometimes feel pressure to pretend we are capable in every area assigned to us, and that if we acknowledge our weaknesses by delegating certain things to others who are better gifted for them, that we might be out of a job. This isn't an excuse, just some insight. Anyway, great post Dan. I think this should be required reading at church leadership retreats :) I’ve been in church leadership before (Youth Director) and must admit that identifying gifts in my volunteers and delegating responsibility were not my strong points. I think a lot of the problem we have with sharing responsibility and trusting God to enable others to use their gifts effectively is the panic that if everything isn’t done just right that people will leave. This is silly, of course; first of all, the people who would walk probably weren’t there for the right reasons anyway. Secondly, it’s the ability to offer one’s gifts that makes people part of the body of Christ, perfect or not.

I think part of the problem may be that those in leadership (especially paid staff) sometimes feel pressure to pretend we are capable in every area assigned to us, and that if we acknowledge our weaknesses by delegating certain things to others who are better gifted for them, that we might be out of a job. This isn’t an excuse, just some insight.

Anyway, great post Dan. I think this should be required reading at church leadership retreats :)

]]> By: akaGaGahttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/01/brake-on-power-off.html#comment-43532 akaGaGa Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:02:37 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1134#comment-43532 You're right, Dan, that gifts aren't developed, and that the problem is in church leadership. From what I've seen, either leadership doesn't have any spiritual discernment themselves ... or they do, and they feel threatened, so they deliberately yank on someone else's parking brake. This is biblically known as bruising the tender reed, and church leadership is very good at it. You’re right, Dan, that gifts aren’t developed, and that the problem is in church leadership. From what I’ve seen, either leadership doesn’t have any spiritual discernment themselves … or they do, and they feel threatened, so they deliberately yank on someone else’s parking brake. This is biblically known as bruising the tender reed, and church leadership is very good at it.

]]> By: Jeraldhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2009/01/brake-on-power-off.html#comment-43531 Jerald Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:18:38 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/?p=1134#comment-43531 I agree that the leaders in a congregation need to be aware of the Spirit working in their church. But I've also noticed that some of those leaders have their parking brakes on too. You are right, we'd better wake up and realize that the future of the church is in the hands of the youngsters we sometimes dismiss out of hand. Good analogy, Dan. And, oh, I agree with Peter. Some pictures would have been enlightening if not down right funny. I agree that the leaders in a congregation need to be aware of the Spirit working in their church. But I’ve also noticed that some of those leaders have their parking brakes on too.
You are right, we’d better wake up and realize that the future of the church is in the hands of the youngsters we sometimes dismiss out of hand.
Good analogy, Dan. And, oh, I agree with Peter. Some pictures would have been enlightening if not down right funny.

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