My mind has been drifting back to some previous posts (see here and here) where we were discussing individuals who function in various ministry positions (like pastors and worship leaders), who find themselves displaced when they no longer feel they belong within institutional Christianity. Their gifts don’t go away, but they no longer know what to do with them. My blogger friend Glenn has talked about it; I can certainly relate; and I know there are others.
This is understandable, because in institutional Christianity, we knew the protocol, we knew the score, and we worked to establish our place within that system. For those of us who had platform ministries and gifts that work well in those parameters, we had a nearly perfect set-up to use those gifts. But with the shift that is occuring (for those of us who have already been affected by it), it can leave such ministers in an identity crisis, wondering what to do with themselves. (This, I believe, is also one of the reasons why some church leaders are vehemently defending the institutions and are opposed to more organic expressions.)
For me, as a worship leader and musician who was at one time on staff at an institutional church, and now pastoring a house church, it presents a similar quandary. My gifts work very well in the corporate worship setting, to the point that numerous folks have identified me as a “gifted worship leader.” There are some who know me and my gifts who probably think I have somehow drifted from my calling by moving away from the institutions. But from my perspective, I’m not trying to abandon anything here…it simply has meant I’ve had fewer and fewer opportunities to function as a worship leader. I still lead worship for our house church, occasionally host public worship events here in town (poorly attended), and still occasionally lead corporate worship for conferences, and even in institutional churches who are not threatened by the direction I have taken. But knowing how things are changing, I am left wondering what this is going to look like, and my place in it in the days to come. It sometimes feels, to me as well as to others who formerly had opportunity in the institutions, like our gifts are for a season that is passing.
But something in me says, No, that can’t be. That simply does not sound like God to me. There’s got to be something we aren’t seeing.
I’ve talked numerous times on this blog about the importance of discerning between principle and method. There are principles in Scripture, and there are methods to fulfill those principles. Principles do not change; methods do. When we confuse method for principle, we begin to idolize the method, form mindsets, and get religious about our methods.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about this in the context of various gifts and talents that God gives us.
There’s a Scripture that says, “The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29) That sounds like something that does not change–something on the level of principle rather than method. Now, I’m not trying to box God in here…but maybe, just maybe, the reason some of us are having identity crises right now is that we have equated our “irrevocable” gifts with methods rather than principles.
Let me use myself as an example of what I’m saying. There are some who would say I have a gift of worship leading. I have an ability, through music, to lead people corporately into intimate worship of God. So what happens if something happens to America and our church buildings and equipment all get confiscated and Christianity is banned? What happens if we end up having to do like the Chinese and sing “silently” to avoid being detected? What happens to the gift of worship leading when there is no outlet for it?
Here’s the thing. Worship is a principle. But worship leading is a method. In fact, the concept of having someone up front leading corporate worship is a relatively new concept in church history. So what would my gifts have looked like if there were no such thing as worship leaders? Maybe my gift is not actually to “lead worship”; maybe my gift is a bit deeper than that, and it just enables me to lead worship well. That means that there are other, equally viable things my gift will enable me to do as the need arises.
To me, that’s actually a healthier way of looking at our gifts, because if our gifts (whatever they may be) are truly irrevocable, then God must intend for us to use them. And if things change where we no longer function in the same way we once did–our gifts don’t go away. They simply need to adapt to function within the new order–to be retooled for a new season. I’m beginning to believe that this must be true for all our gifts, whether they be leadership, speaking abilities, prophecy, music–whatever. If things change around us and it looks like there is no more use for our gifts–it is probably because we have defined our gifts by a method rather than a principle. If we would look outside the box, we might see a host of other creative ways our gifts could be put to use. Whatever the case–while I know there are seasons of waiting, I do not believe God gives people gifts only to have them become obsolete or sit there indefinitely.
Looking at this shift from the other direction, it really can be a good thing. It is true that certain gifts like preaching, teaching, worship leading did well with the platform ministries of institutional church. But it is also true that because of that system, there are many others with various gifts that did not have an outlet, because the opportunites were relegated to a select few who happened to have more visible gifts. Now, however, while some of us former leaders are wondering what to do right now…this shift may actually give a much larger number of people opportunities to function. That’s not a bad thing; that’s a GREAT thing. And not only that–whoever gave us the idea that our gifts were ONLY for the church setting? What possibilites could there be outside the parameters of our meetings and gatherings, opportunities to utilize our gifts to reach others with Jesus’ love? Just sayin’. 🙂
So…even if some of us are in a season of wondering what to do next…instead of seeing the end of “Christendom” as the graveyard for our gifts, I think perhaps the Lord is actually opening up a whole new thing for us. So many of us define our gifts by certain methods, and we put those gifts in a box; and it seems this whole shift is about getting rid of the boxes, taking the limits off. I don’t pretend to know what everything is going to look like, but I believe we can trust the Lord on this. We can retool our gifts for a new season; we just need eyes to see.
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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Jeff,
I think you have a pretty good take on this one. I also believe that God is removing the “boxes” we put ourselves, others, our spirituality and even God himself into. I think that God is showing many people that there is another way to live this gospel out and it is not about being in a club or a successful business. I don’t blame institutional churches for the way things have gone that have rendered them ineffective and insulated from the hurting world around them. It is people. We do this. We want to buy a magic pill that will get us to Heaven and that way we don’t have to worry about it or do much to get the desired effect.
I think sometimes we assume we know what our gift is and we think god should use us in this certain way and it ends up He wants our obedience. I think sometimes, when we are less sure or less comfortable, god really uses us in ways we never would have imagined. I think that is one of the great things about this deconstruction that so many of us are going through right now. It isn’t comfortable. We don’t know what to do or how to just worship with our lives. That is so much harder than going to church every week and being a volunteer for every VBS or just a faithful tither.
I used to get such a big spiritual boost from working at my huge charismatic, contemporary church. But while these things in and of themselves aren’t bad, they did take lots of my energy and looking back wonder how much of that huge effort really mattered. I think actually getting to know people and not just having a bunch of very spiritual conversation with them is closer to what god intends. I have had the odd person ask me very probing spiritual questions during or after one of those huge services. But even then , I rarely got to know these people.We had no effect on each others lives really and it certainly wasn’t any form of evangelism to speak a bunch of Christianese with people who were already “saved”. I mean in my mind, I ‘m not even comfortable with the term “saved” anymore.
Good stuff you have here – I’ll be back.
Great thoughts. As always, you have got me thinkin’ about stuff. You have a way of articulating what a lot of people are feeling and going through. I am admittedly still “institutionalized” to a degree. Being a “former” leader (no longer leading) in a lot of capacities has actually allowed me to re-prioritize and examine my own motives. I want to use my gifts, but for the right reasons. Thanks for keepin it real.
Some of those ideas are humming away nicely in the back of the brain.
Jeff – I agree with these thoughts. I’m finding that it is the wives of us “ex leaders” that seem to flourish in the ordered disordered nature of the new situations we discover ourselves in.
I see Hamo has shared similiar thoughts, my wife was once “the pastor’s wife”, now she is known as Kerry and to be honest is way more active than me in the nuts and bolts of our fellowship.
We have used the model of the established church to define how gifts operate – that is, within the confines of the 4 walls, it would be pretty exciting to see them in operation in the marketplace as well.
I once had the gift of OHP operating, this is true!!!! This is the gift I had!!! (nah, just joking)
Yes, this is where charismata and missional meet. 🙂 I’ve seen a lot of good fruit (and less self-promotion) in the prophetic being focused outside the church. When it’s in the church, it can be great – but it can also have this ‘wowing’ effect that is unhealthy. The gifts become a tool of self-promotion or power-base building or some other social manipulation. None of that happens in the context of non-believers. Because the only agenda is that God would express His love to them through you (and the use of your gift). It doesn’t impress them like it does the church. It doesn’t get you anything – except the satisfaction of watching God love on people.
God is able to speak to people without them even knowing they are receiving a “prophetic word.” The point is that God loves them enough to speak to them.
Same with all the gifts really. I see them (the gifts) just as tools for Him to express His love for people (both inside and outside of His body). But who needs this more? Well, everyone does. But, the church is more healthy when she’s looking to serve (outward) than when she’s looking to receive a blessing (inward).
I think this is true of all gifts. I believe God pastors people outside the church through those with pastoral gifts that he’s positioned among them. He teaches them about worship through those who are worshippers.
If we just are who we are, then our gifts are being used (even when we’re not trying). For example, teachers are always teaching – it’s part of who they are. So, ya. I totally see agree with what you’re saying here. 🙂
A few years ago when I stepped down from a full-time ministry position (or stepped up, depending on who you talk to), I had to come to the realization that the position I hold and the gifts I have may be inter-related, but they are not the same thing.
The pastoral gifts I have don’t go away with the title. It’s not like being a policeman or in the army.
I think you hit it on the head, Jeff.
A few years ago, when Ben Pasley from 100 Portraits was addressing a group of young musicians, he told them that they should always realize that their worship gift doesn’t depend solely on their skills or ability. His simple example to these teens was, “What if someone who was gifted in the area of worship with drums paralyzed? Does his gift change?”
Definitely something to chew on.
Wow, lots to chew on in these commments. 🙂
Shaun,
“I think sometimes, when we are less sure or less comfortable, god really uses us in ways we never would have imagined.” I really like this statement. Also, as you said, it’s harder to know what to do with ourselves when we don’t have the built-in, easy, good-churchgoer activities to keep us busy. But I think that’s where things can actually get really creative.
Thanks, Joel, for coming by. Look forward to hearing from you again.
Steve, thanks. Tracking with you on your blog, I can totally respect and appreciate where you’re at. It’s good to be in fellowship with you online.
DP, is that the droning sound I was hearing??
Mork,
Excellent point. Come to think of it, my wife has flourished in much the same manner since leaving the IC. Maybe all our wives could get together…oh, wait. You guys are halfway around the world. 🙁
Sarah,
Thanks for the remarks, and especially for tying this train of thought into the use of spiritual gifts in particular. Very insightful.
Aaroneous,
You are one of several I know who have purposefully stepped out of the typcial ministry position to see how they could be used of God in the “outside world.” It is excellent that you recognize that your “gifts” were not shelved because you changed the context. That is an important point–as well as the point Ben shared.