What propels you?

Passion or Position?

Recently, I was sharing some challenges I'm having in ministry with another lady and she suggested: "Give them positions and they'll show up and participate." The first thing that came to my mind was: "What?!" Thankfully it didn't come out of my mouth because there were other words that quickly followed the "what" in my mind...and they may not have come out right.

I was both surprised and disappointed that she could come up with such an idea and as our conversation progressed, I told her so. I mean why should people be "bribed" to attend and participate in meetings. The way I see it, you do not need to have a position in order to do things in the House of the Lord. If anyone does, then there's a problem.
So what happens when the term of the position ends? Will you reinstate the person or offer a lifetime position - just to "secure" their participation?

Personally, I think it is wrong to do that. I'm not saying that Pastor and his wife need to do everything themselves - that's the other extreme and I believe tends towards insanity. However, we can learn from Moses whose his father-in-law suggested that he appoint leaders to assist him using clear criteria:

capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes.*

Note that they were capable people who had a passion for God and hated bribes - which their positions could have attracted. In essence, these were men who if they saw the position as a bribe would more likely than not turn it down.

I've shared** before how even for us as Mrs. Pastor, what we do for the Lord should be born out of our passion for Him not because of our position. Whatever you do, in giving people positions to assist you in the ministry, let one of the criteria be their sincere passion for the Lord, not their strive for position (or recognition) otherwise you may find yourself in more misery rather than ministry because people will think that by showing up to "serve the Lord," they are doing you a favour...when they are doing themselves the favour.***

Neh 4:6 tells us:

"So we rebuilt [and connected/joined together] the wall to half its height, because the people were willing to [enthusiastic in their; had a heart to] work."****

When there's a heart to work (passion), hands will work regardless of position. Be an example*****: in all you do, remain propelled by your passion not your position, so others can follow your lead.


References:
* Ex 18: 21 - But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. (NLT)
Ex 18: 17 - 23 - Moses’ father-in-law said, “This is no way to go about it. You’ll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can’t do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They’ll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They’ll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they’ll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you’ll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also.” (Message)
**http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/10/roberta-or-robot.html
*** Heb 6:10 - For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name’s sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do. (Amplified)
1 Thess 1:3 - Every time we pray to God our Father, we thank him for all that you have done because of your faith. And we thank him for the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (EtRV)
****Expanded Bible
***** 1 Tim 4: 12-14 - Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. (Message)