Life in general has a tendency to become way too crowded, and so does ministry. There are so many things that need to be done in my ministry and I want to do all of those things, but I find that, sometimes, when I try to do all of these things I don’t do any of them very well. This is nothing new. I have heard this and known this for years – as, I’m sure, have you. But it’s so easy to let others pile more ministry on and it’s so easy for me to make commitments beyond my capacity because I want to do everything and I don’t want to miss anything.
Thom Rainer’s book, Simple Church, written with Eric Geiger, speaks of four strategic elements in a church: Clarity, Alignment, Movement, Focus. I highly recommend the book and, in fact, use it in virtually every ministry application in which I am engaged. In discussing Focus, the authors says that staying focused is in part a function of learning to say “No” to almost everything.
I hate to say “No.” I want to be helpful; to live up to others’ expectations. I want to see this ministry God has given me have impact, change churches, transform lives. The truth, however, is that trying to be all things to all people causes you to end up being no things to most people, at lease no things that are of worthwhile value. Wisdom seems to say not to try to be all things to all people but to be something valuable to someone. Then the challenge is to discern which somethings of value we’re taking about and which someones.
Yesterday I said “no” to something. I felt relieved the minute I did and gave myself an imaginary high five. Of course, today, I regret having done that because I really want to be there to offer my two cents worth. But I sense God telling me to keep that particular two cents in my pocket. I’m also sensing God pointing out my arrogance, as if this event couldn’t possibly be as effective without my being there.
I’m sure all that’s true – but at least I did say “No,” and I’ll have an opportunity to see what it feels like when that day arrives and I’m not there. Maybe I should take Simple Church’s Clarity, Alignment, Movement and Focus and apply it to my individual life – Simple Christian! I like the ring of that.
Say “No” to something today. You’ll feel better!
