Ever wonder if the terms you’re using just don’t cut it?
Ever feel like you’ve been telling folks something over and over again and they have no clue what you’re talking about?
I wonder if maybe sometimes in our churches we use “outdated” terms or terms that have a whole new meaning outside the church and folks misunderstand what we want to communicate.
I think there are terms that maybe we should re-use and re-define – but maybe we need to work harder at defining them.
I love terms and phrases like “the insurgency of love.”
We all understand insurgency thanks to our recent world conflicts, and when you tag that idea of love on it – it gives a completely different meaning and idea.
But here’s one I’ve been struggling with and trying to define to others.
“Leader” – a person who rules or guides or inspires others
I think we get this idea that a leader is someone who says passionate things, gets everyone gathered around them for a common cause and then wins a battle.
But I think in a community or church setting: A leader is one who loves. One who serves. One who gives.
Being a leader in church doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It doesn’t mean you have a seminary degree. It doesn’t mean you’ve read the Bible 4 times and understand the Greek and Hebrew translations.
It just means you’re willing to serve and give. It just means you’re willing to say, “I want to give of myself and love others.”
Karl Barth said “laity” is one of the worst words in our Christian terminology. With the introduction of this word we suddenly have two classes of people – the clergy and the lay person. Yet in Christ, there’s no division between white, black, Jew and Gentile. We may gladly admit that, but somehow we’ve gladly accepted the division between clergy and laity.
How can we better (re)define “leader” so that others may step up and say “I’m willing to follow Christ. I’m willing to give my life for others. I’m willing to love the unloved.”?
“I have decided to follow Jesus… Though none go with me – still I will follow…. no turning back. No turning back.”