Increasingly before speaking into any issue, I ask myself, “Will this help move a person closer to Jesus or further away from Jesus?”
Many of our half-thought-through and even deeply held ‘opinions’ in all likelihood move Christians and non-Christians further away from Jesus.
So why offer them at all if they’re not core to the scripture or the Gospel?
Instead, why don’t we all get comfortable saying “I’m not sure” or even better, “What do you think?”
Then just listen.
You’ll be amazed at what you learn, and how your listening might actually help move someone closer to Jesus.
5. Claiming privilege
Sometimes there’s a really good reason you need a reserved parking spot. But often there’s not.
You just want it.
Or worse, you think you deserve it.
Right now I have the smallest office of any staff who have an office. In the new facility we’re building, I have an office but it’s not the biggest one.
Jesus came to serve, not to be served. The more I claim privilege, the less I’m like Jesus.
The challenge, of course, is that many of us are privileged economically or socially. So it will be a daily struggle.
But sharing what you have with others, taking the low place and serving alongside others can make a big difference, even if after it’s over, you retreat to an office to write your message in silence.
What Would You Add?
These are five things I see that give local pastors a bad name with unchurched people.
What would you add to this list? I’d love to hear what you’re learning.
