Drew Boswell

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Establishing Trust in the Local Church

trust

In ministry all you have is trust. There are no promises of wealth, power, or property. Most move away from home and place themselves at the complete mercy of the local church. The mortgage, the food you feed your children, braces, the car payment, etc, they have to trust the church to do what they said they would do regarding salary, benefits, etc. But the church also expects to be able to trust the staff person.

So, when it is all-said-and-done it all boils down to trust. If the church does not trust their pastor or the pastoral staff or they do not trust each other then growth, planning, stability, or even team cohesion is greatly limited or eroded.

There are ways that one gains trust (just do the opposite of these to break down trust):

A.  Consistently doing or exceeding their job expectations over a period of time.

Even little things like being prepared for meetings, being on time, doing what you say you will do.

B.  Maintaining one’s character and moral moorings over time.

This may include not being alone with someone of the opposite gender that is not in your family, telling the truth even when it makes you look bad, etc. Yes, you will sin, but there should a regular practice of praying, Bible study, repenting, and making things right with other people. No one expects you to be perfect (if they do then it is unreasonable) but you should be growing in your walk with the Lord like all other Christians.

C.  Being able to balance family, marriage, and ministry over time.

They may not like that you said “no” to something they asked you to do on your day off, but they will respect that you are guarding your family time. Again, you are not always going to get it right at home with the family – but there should be learning how to make it work. Your family is more important than your ministry. Please go back a reread that last sentence. Once you leave a church, in five years they won’t even remember your name, but your kids will remember you as dad forever. It’s up to you to determine if it is a good memory or a bad one.

D.  Communicating what you are doing to others; i.e. staff, boards, elders, deacons, parents, etc.

If you are not communicating in the gaps, then people will fill in the gaps with their own assumptions. And people naturally tend to be negative in their assumptions no matter how long or how faithful you have been.

Does the church, pastor, staff members, etc. know what is going on? What is the mechanism that you use to keep people informed and is it consistently updated (i.e. Facebook, e-mails, staff meetings, etc.)?

faithfulness + time = trust

Once you have an opportunity and privilege to minister to others, then do it to the best of your ability and continue to do so for a long time. This is a good way, if not the best way to gain trust. One should not expect trust to be there the moment you put your books on the shelves in your office. It will take time, especially if your predecessor was not trusted or had to leave for nefarious reasons.

When one takes a position where this may have happened then you should expect to inherit the distrust that is there for the man before you and to climb the mountain of trust to even be able to do your current position. I have several friends who are in this situation and are incredibly frustrated because of even after years of faithfully doing their job, the church still does not trust them.

Any staff position candidate could ask, “What actions have the church taken to intentionally deal with the broken trust that has taken place?” And “how will the church help the incoming pastor/staff to rebuild this broken trust?” If no action has taken place, or they don’t see it as their responsibility to help in this situation then the church does not understand how this will affect the incoming staff person.

_____________________________

Let’s be honest. Everyone in ministry makes mistakes and blunders. The only way to avoid this is to never do anything new, stay with what’s safe, take forever to make decisions, and not take any risks. But these actions (or lack of them) will eventually catch up with the leader in a negative way and they will be criticized anyway. Songs grow stale, programs loose enthusiasm, and people get bored. But let’s assume that you are an awesome leader and want to lead toward new horizons and reaching new people for the gospel. So what do you do if you have done all of these things (faithfulness + time = trust) consistently over a long period of time and you are still not trusted?

Why is it that I don’t feel that I am trusted?

  • Are you in a position to where you should be included in certain information loops, budget discussions, or whatever the topic may be? Figure out if what you are feeling is genuine or have you jumped to a false expectation? Sometimes our feelings can guide us to false expectations.
  • What actions have been taken to make you feel that you are not trusted or excluded? Can you give specific example? If so, write them down and begin to look for opportunity s to talk with the leadership about these instances.
  • One of the main keys to building trust is time on the field. Has a reasonable amount of time passed to where people should trust you? If you have only been there a few months then you should not expect to be trusted yet (but you should be taking advantage of the honey moon period: see below).

If you have been there more than two years and are still not trusted then there is a problem and you should spend some serious time trying to figure it out why. Knowing where that balance should be is a matter of prayer and calling to a specific place of ministry. If your predecessor was dismissed then expect that time period to be even longer.

“The Honeymoon period

Every person in a new ministry position has about one year that is commonly called the “honeymoon period.” You can forget people’s names, not know where something is stored, forget appointments, etc. and everything will be ok (within reason of course). But after this period your second year will be rough. Now people expect you to know everyone, everything, and to know “how things work here.” Take advantage of the honeymoon period. If you need more money for your budget, ask for it. If you need staff, ask for it. If you need equipment, ask for it. Strike while the iron is hot. You will not be in the honeymoon period for long.”

What blunders have you made and are these things big enough to push back the timetable of trust?

_______________________________

Tokens

Every new staff person is given a few tokens to spend (they are free during the honeymoon period) Every time they do something well they get more tokens. But to take action they have to spend tokens, and the bigger the action the more tokens it costs. So to take big actions they can cash in all their chips and if it works, then things are wonderful. But if it fails they are tokenless and have to save up (over time) more tokens. It may take a long time to rebuild the savings after a big blunder. Let me caution you against using phrases like, “The Lord has told me we should do this . . .” or “I’m the pastor, staff position, etc. and I say this is what we should do!” You have a direct link to the Lord through prayer but so does the rest of the congregation.

“A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing” A Warning Against False Prophets; Matthew 7:15-20

wolf 1Matthew 7:15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (ESV)”

This passage comes from a series of Jesus’ teachings that range from prayer, the Golden Rule (which immediately precedes it), building one’s life on a solid foundation, etc. It is a warning to the church against false prophets. It begins with the warning to “beware.” They should be aware that false prophets will come and want to be a part of their group.

False prophets in the Bible tended to fall into three categories:
1) those whose worship false gods and served idols, 2) those who falsely claimed to receive messages from the Lord, and 3) those who wandered from the truth and ceased to be true prophets.[1]

It is this last group of false prophets that are the most to be feared. They could have come to your group and been vetted, and even have been an esteemed leader, but over time their hearts have changed and they now have different motives and reasoning to be apart of a group of God followers. It is characteristic of this last group of false prophets to be employed by the powerful and rich and that they tell what these groups want to hear. They give flattering, positive, and pleasing words in their sermons, and are focused on being popular but give false messages (Jeremiah 28:1-17).

wolf 2The false prophet appears, on the outside, to be gentle and like everyone else around them, but on the inside are “ravenous.” The greek word here translated as “ravenous” (ἅρπαγες) is used three times in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 7:15, Luke 18:11, and 1 Cor. 6:10. In the second two examples it is translated as “swindler,” and the first as “hungry, famished.” If you take into consideration all three examples it carries the idea of desiring to take and consume.

The wolf wants to get close to the flock because he desires to consume them. His stomach growls, his mouth waters, and his entire focus is to devour. The false prophet is incredibly dangerous, but he is not seen as such because of his “sheep’s clothing.”

The danger of allowing a false prophet into the fold is the resulting “diseased” fruit (vv. 17-18). His messages sound appealing, popular, and pleasing to the hear, but they are void of truth and the resulting spiritual fruit in the lives of the congregation leads to disease.

Before a prophet (teacher, leader, etc.) Is allowed into the flock to teach their “fruit” of past leadership should be carefully inspected.


The Wolf’s Motivation

The wolf described here is incredibly hungry and desired to eat/consume the sheep. He wants what they have. The lost world or even those who have fallen away want what they see other believer’s as having — they just don’t understand how to have it in an acceptable way. In their lost or wayward condition they hate others for what they have and want to destroy them because of it.

In the Orchard; A Comparison

A True Prophet
Speaks the truth
Prunes, treats for illnesses, strengthens, and may even cause momentary pain for the purpose of future strength, is focused on the overall health of the orchard, known by good fruit, are open with their lives, giving

A False Prophet
Speaks lies
Pretends nothing is wrong, ignores problems, takes what he can, no thought for the future of the orchard, is only focused on today, consumes, seeks to hide, keeps things hidden, will be known by bad/diseased fruit, may even seek to blame others for past poor leadership

How Should One Respond to a False Prophet?

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

Whereas the wolf sought to consume the sheep, in the end it is they whom are destroyed. So what should the group do when they realize they have a false prophet among their midst?

1. Cut the false prophet off from its’ “roots.” Cut his influence down to the ground. His immediate separation from the group should be immediate.

2. Do not allow the false prophet to have any kind of foothold in the church at all “thrown into the fire.”

When you cut down and burn a diseased tree a new tree can be planted to take it’s place. As long as the diseased tree is there in the orchard it takes/consumes sunlight, nutrients in the soil, space, etc. It has to go because it consumes needed elements from the trees around it.

wolf3How Does One Protect Themselves From a Wolf In Sheep Clothing?

1. Take time to investigate, don’t assume.
2. Don’t let appearances guide decision making. Both true and false prophets look the same from the outside. All leaders should be “allowed in” based on what is on the inside, and from past leadership’s “fruit.”

_______________________

Jesus gives this teaching as a way of encouraging the church to compare His teachings, actions, and “fruit” of His ministry to see if He is indeed a genuine prophet. But it is also given as a warning to church to beware of false prophets. Once they are in the fold and amongst the flock the damage they inflict can be extremely devastating and life changing for the sheep they influence or consume.

___________

[1] Ronald F. Youngblood, Gen. Ed., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, Tennessee; Nelson Publishing) 440.

Malachi 1: How Do You Respond to God’s Love?

*The following is an approximate transcript of a sermon given on 5-15-2016 at First Baptist Church, Valdosta, GA.

How Do You Respond to God’s Love?

Malachi 1

There is a story about an old village in Spain. The people of this village heard the king planned to visit there. No king had ever done that. So naturally, they became excited and wanted to offer a great celebration that would show their adoration and that would honor the king. But what could a village of such poor people offer?

Someone proposed that since so many of the villagers made their own wines, they could offer that to please the king. And they each decided that they would all take some of their best wine, and combine them as a gift for the king.

On the day of the king’s arrival, they all came to the village square early in the morning with a large cup of their finest wine and poured their offering into a small opening at the top of a large barrel. They were excited to see the king enjoy the best wine he had ever tasted.

When he arrived, the king was escorted to square where he was ceremoniously presented with a silver cup and invited to draw wine from the barrel. He was told the villagers were delighted to have him taste the best they had to offer.

He filled his cup from the spigot. And when he drank the wine, to his surprise he tasted only water. Had some miracle-worker turned wine to water? Had someone stolen all of the wine that was meant for the king?

No. Each villager had reasoned, “I’ll withhold my best wine and give water. There will be so many cups of excellent wine poured into the barrel that mine will never be missed.” After all was said and done, the king was left with a town full of people who simply went through the motions of showing their love and admiration for him.[1]

In Malachi the people of God were just going through the motions of worship and service. Their attitudes were bad and their hearts toward God were hardened. How are you responding to the full and complete love of God for you? How is the understanding of what He has done for us affecting how you live?

Prayer – Lord help us to see how you view our worship. Let us put aside our preference, cultural trappings and expectations, and truly show us your heart and how we should approach you. You alone are worthy to be praised and worthy of our worship. Forgive us for when we approach you in a half-hearted and ungrateful posture.

Malachi 1:1-5

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. “2 I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ˜the wicked country,” and ˜the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

I. Israel’s Reaction To God’s love — #1 Questioning of God’s Love

The Lord begins by telling his people that he loves them.[2] The tone of the book is set in the opening verses. It is their reaction to this love that causes the oracle to be given, and the book to be written. Israel’s reaction to God’s election is not one of humility or thankfulness, instead they are arrogant and indifferent toward God’s love and favor.[3]

God’s people have a rich history of how He has loved them. Just to name a few:

  • They were chosen among all the people’s of the earth to be the receivers of His Word.
  • They have been protected from their enemies; winning impossible victories against them.
  • Escaping from slavery in Egypt.
  • Guidance as a pillar of smoke and fire through the wilderness (manna, quail, etc).
  • Even in their rebellion and cycles of sin, the Lord disciplines them, but always brings them back close to Himself.
  • Their plants and livestock prospered. When there were droughts and plagues it was a result of the people’s sin, and God always sent a prophet to warn them ahead of time.
  • God sent prophets, judges, and leaders to guide them through difficult times.

In spite of this unprecedented display of love, the people say, “How has God loved us?” As if all of the historical accounts of his mighty hand were not enough, they wanted more. It is amazing how, even with the presence of God in our lives and our seeing Him work, that we grow complacent and apathetic. We always want more.

The Lord then gives the examples of Esau and the city of Edom. Jacob (Esau’s brother) sinned against his family, went away, and was disciplined. He then returned home with God’s love and was able to be restored. The book was originally written to the descendants of Jacob. They were the people that God forgave, disciplined as a child, and loved again and again.

Edom were the descendants of Esau.[4] The city was destroyed, whereas Jacob was disciplined but shown God’s grace and love again and again through the generations. God’s people are confusing discipline with hatred or destruction.

“but Esau I have hated” is a hyperbole where the author chooses exaggeration to make a point, God favors Jacob so much over Esau that it appears as though it is hate, the difference is so great.

Upon returning from exile they are questioning if God loves them or is seeking to destroy them. This doubt and lack of understanding of God’s love is resulting in inauthentic and insincere worship. Whenever there is ingratitude or a lack of recognition of God’s love in a person’s life there will be the inevitable moral decline.[5]

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

The only acceptable response to this complete and full love of God for His children is one of whole-hearted obedience and genuine worship. God’s people are unwilling to see that He has favored them, while rejecting others. Their response is one of questioning, question after question. Malachi then goes on to show how their worship of Him and relationship with Him is unacceptable.

II. Israel’s Reaction to God’s Love –  #2 Overlooking Sin, and Settling for Less than the Best

6A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ˜How have we despised your name? 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you? By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.

God uses the description of Father and Master to describe his relationship with His people. They should show honor and reverential fear. Instead, their reaction and response to God is to despise His name.[6]

The reaction to being told that they are not honoring or showing respect is a demand of proof. They are then given the examples of polluted food and a polluted attitude.

The priests regarded the Temple service as a miserable job, and performed it with contempt (i.e. “weariness”). They are doing their duty with no attention to important details and with a horrible attitude. They were well aware of the requirements of the law, but were not following it.[7]

If they were to behave or do their duties in such a way for an earthly king they know what would happen to them? They were offering it to the “Lord of Hosts.”[8] The Lord says it would be better to shut the doors and not have worship than to have this parody of true worship. The priests were not bringing the animals to sacrifice, but were allowing the people to offer “polluted” animals instead of their best.

III. Israel’s Reaction to God’s Love – #3 Bad Attitude in Service, Insincere Worship

9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, “What a weariness this is,” and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

In 1 Samuel 13 king Saul is concerned that Samuel the prophet was not slow in arriving. While Saul was claiming to seek the favor of the Lord and to have Him go with them into battle, he ignored the proper way of doing it (which was for a priest to offer the sacrifice). Saul is indifferent to God’s receiving of the act of worship, only in it being done. He seems to see worship as a formality and of having no power; it has to be done before the men can go to battle. He figures he can just slaughter the animals, wave his hands, say a prayer, and get on with the fighting (the real way that they will win the battle).

1 Samuel 13:12 — “Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.’ 13 And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you.'”

In Malachi 1 the table of the Lord is polluted because the priests do not understand that the favor and presence of God is directly related to the authenticity of their worship. Worship involves sacrifices and a turning of the heart away from the world and toward God.

Their reaction to this highlighting of their lack of concern for their worship services is for them to say “What a weariness this is, and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts.’ This is tedious, tiring, shouldn’t God just receive whatever I give Him? The answer is a clear no. He does not want your leftovers, the second best (that includes time, possessions, family, talents, excitement, energy, etc.) He wants your heart to respond to His love and for your worship and relationship with Him to be real and genuine.

Verse 10 shows us that God would rather someone just close the door and to have a room full of people that give insincere and false worship. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.

The people are returning from exile, “ the Assyrians had attacked and carried them off into captivity and slavery because of their sinfulness and unwillingness to listen to prophets. God allowed the Temple to be destroyed. Now they have been allowed to return to a desolate land after a period of discipline, they must rebuild everything. But even before the Temple itself is rebuilt their worship has already become hollow.

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are also people who have returned from being slaves and captives. We have been released and are now free to worship our Savior. Are you questioning if God really loves you? Look to the cross. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world . . .” “There is no greater love than this, that one would lay down his life for a friend.” But we were not friends with God, “ we were at war with Him. But He loved us anyway.

What does your worship look like?

*** another point that I did not get to that is worth thinking about:

In the end, the Lord is great and His name will be praised all over the earth. While this may draw the church toward missions and a desire to share the gospel with the world, it is genuine worship that the Lord desires. Missions and evangelism will soon pass, but worship of the Lord will continue throughout all of eternity.

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” [9]

_____________________________

[1] http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-sermon-central-staff-stories-honor-hypocrisy-dishonor-76905.asp

[2] The people had just returned from exile and are being challenged to rebuild the Temple (Haggai and Zachariah).

[3] The Broadman Bible Commentary, Hosea-Malachi, vol. 7 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press) 374.

[4] Genesis 36; Numbers 20:14-21; Psalm 137:7

[5] Romans 1:18-31

[6] Duet. 14:1; Lev. 25:55

[7] Duet. 15:21

[8] The phrase Lord of Hosts is used 24 times in the book of Malachi indicating the importance of understanding His high place of authority and control of the Hosts of heaven.

[9] The New American Commentary, Haggai-Malachi, vol. 21A (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman and Holman Publishing, 2004) 286.

Helping Leaders Who Are High on Want To But Low on Follow Through

badleader
In the course of leading any organization there will inevitably be a time when a leadership position will need to be filled. It may be a result of previous poor job performance, the person may move on to another position, or for whatever the reason may be – perhaps the position was too quickly filled with a person that seemed promising but seems to presently be struggling.

The following are some things to consider for a leader who started out with strong want to and ambition but is showing themselves to be low on follow thorough and quality leadership:

Step 1: Determine Responsibilities.

What is the expectation for this leadership position? A job description will need to be put together or reviewed – outlining specifics for the position (i.e. hours needs, responsibilities, deadlines, qualifications, etc. Having these expectations will take away (somewhat) personality conflicts and will focus attention on concrete job expectations. If a person has to be “fired” from a position, it should be based on these written specific expectations and not ambiguous personality conflicts.

Make the expectations clear. For example is a teacher shows up to class late and not prepared to teach a lesson – then you could reference that teachers are expected to arrive early and to be prepared to teach a specific lesson with quality and learning objectives. Then there should be a way of evaluating if the said teacher is teaching a lesson in such a way that the students are learning.

Step 2: Outline Accountability.

Working together in a group give specific tasks and ask for updates. If there are deadlines, requirements for the group, etc. everyone should be informed. There should be no surprises for anyone in the group regarding what is expected and when it is due. If something does happen that affects the group in a negative way, the leader should be able to quickly tell the group and they should be able to clearly understand what happened (i.e. a missed deadline, simply not doing the job, not following up, etc.)

If deadlines are missed, communication is spars, or there is a constant last minute scramble then this becomes a leadership issue, not that life is “not fair” or “everybody is against me.”

Step 3: Keep Lines of Communication Open.

If there are “issues” that need to be addressed, then there should be a way of sharing and discussing problem areas or that things are going great. Even when things get sticky, keep the lines of communication open and keep talking.

Step 4: Proper Training.

Has the leader been properly trained? The leader may have found themselves in a position where they do not have all the information, resources, training, etc. that they need to do the job properly – and they may not even realize it yet.

In children’s ministry, if your leader is grasping for resources (songs, games, crafts, etc.)  then they may simply be unaware of the vast sea of available games and songs. They may just need to be pointed to a training website, some good games books, etc. This is why curriculum is so key to having a vibrant ministry. If the leader is given adequate training, resources, and information – you may see a radical turn-around.

One indispensable training/resource for the struggling leader is to connect them with a successful/mature mentor. If this is a good relationship then they will be able to work through issues as they occur and to head off problems before they happen.

________________

To correct a struggling leader without these four steps really is not fair to them. Perhaps they are unaware of what the organization expects or they may not have an avenue to express their plans. A leader should not be surprised when someone comes to talk with them about how things are going (negatively); if they are then the organization has failed, not the struggling leader.

So let’s quickly review:

  1. They have been given a clear job description – clear responsibilities.
  2. They have been clear on what is expected on a regular basis – clear expectations.
  3. Communication has been open and both the leader and the organization are “on the same page” – clear communication.
  4. They have everything they need to do their job.

________________

31525_20140130_153502_newrelationships09But in the course of time if all of these steps have been put in place and the leader still is struggling then they may need to step down from the position. So what do you do?

  1. Meet with the leader and outline the next steps in the process. If things are bad then you are trying to mediate a positive outcome. Seek to deal with specific issues (lack of preparedness, lateness, bad attitude, missed deadlines, etc.). Give them an opportunity to make adjustments.
  1. If this doesn’t work, and the leader simply is not qualified, capable, etc. then they need to be asked to step down. When you have to take this difficult step, consider the following:

a. As best as you can don’t make it personal. Give dates, times, specific details of the problem behavior.

b. Allow the person to respond and feel as though their voice is being heard.

c. Keep the conversation on track and focused on the actual issue. In these tense moments it will be easy to shift blame, point fingers, and bring up distant history.

d. Leave the meeting with action plans and next steps. No one should leave the room wondering what will happen next.

e. Stop the meeting after one hour, definitely don’t go past one-and-one-half-hour. Find a stopping point and schedule a follow-up meeting.

f. Don’t allow the conversation to circle back over the same topics or points again and again.

Having these discussions is never easy and no one wants to correct a struggling leader. But this is an opportunity for you to help them to become a better leader, improve your organization, or (worst case) open up a position that a better leader can fill. They can’t serve in that position if someone is currently holding the position.

How Do You Respond to God’s Love? Malachi 1

half-hearted1

There is a story about an old village in Spain. The people of this village heard the king planned to visit there. No king had ever done that. So naturally, they became excited and wanted to offer a great celebration that would show their adoration and that would honor the king. But what could a village of such poor people offer?

Someone proposed that since so many of the villagers made their own wines – very good wines – they could offer that to please the king. And they each decided that they would all take some of their best wine, and combine them as a gift for the king.

On the day of the king’s arrival, they all came to the village square early in the morning with a large cup of their finest wine and poured their offering into a small opening at the top of a large barrel. They were excited to see the king enjoy the best wine he’d ever tasted.

When he arrived, the king was escorted to square where he was ceremoniously presented with a silver cup and invited to draw wine from the barrel. He was told the villagers were delighted to have him taste the best they had to offer.

He filled his cup from the spigot. And when he drank the wine, to his surprise he tasted only water. Had some miracle-worker turned wine to water? Had someone stolen all of the wine that was meant for the king?

No. Each villager had reasoned, “I’ll withhold my best wine and give water. There will be so many cups of excellent wine poured into the barrel that mine will never be missed.” After all was said and done, the king was left with a town full of people who simply went through the motions of showing their love and admiration for him.[1]

In Malachi the people of God were just going through the motions of worship and service. Their attitudes were bad and their hearts toward God were hardened. How are you responding to the full and complete love of God for you? How is the understanding of what He has done for us affecting how you live?

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Malachi 1:1-5

The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. 2 “I have loved you,” says the Lord. But you say, “How have you loved us?” “Is not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob 3 but Esau I have hated. I have laid waste his hill country and left his heritage to jackals of the desert.” 4 If Edom says, “We are shattered but we will rebuild the ruins,” the Lord of hosts says, “They may build, but I will tear down, and they will be called ‘the wicked country,’ and ‘the people with whom the Lord is angry forever.’” 5 Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the Lord beyond the border of Israel!”

Israel’s Reaction to God’s Love – #1 Bad Attitude in Service and Insincere Worship

The Lord begins by telling his people that he loves them.[2] The tone of the book is set in the opening verses. It is their reaction to this love that causes the oracle to be given, and the book to be written. Israel’s reaction to God’s election is not one of humility or thankfulness, instead they are arrogant and indifferent toward God’s love and favor.[3]

God’s people have a rich history of how He has loved them. Just to name a few:

  • They were chosen among all the people’s of the earth to be the receiver’s of His Word.
  • They have been protected from their enemies; winning impossible victories against them.
  • Escaping from slavery in Egypt.
  • Guidance as a pillar of smoke and fire through the wilderness (manna, quail, etc).
  • Even in their rebellion and cycles of sin, the Lord disciplines them, but always brings them back close to Himself.
  • Their plants and livestock prospered. When there were droughts and plagues it was a result of the people’s sin, and God always sent a prophet to warn them ahead of time.
  • God sent prophets, judges, and leaders to guide them through difficult times.

In spite of this unprecedented display of love, the people say, “How has God loved us?” As if all of the historical accounts of his mighty hand were not enough – they wanted more. It is amazing how, even with the presence of God in our lives and our seeing Him work, that we grow complacent and apathetic. We always want more.

The Lord then gives and example of Esau and the city of Edom. Jacob (Esau’s brother) sinned against his family, went away, and was disciplined. He then returned home with God’s love and was able to be restored. The book of Malachi was originally written to the descendants of Jacob. They were the people that God forgave, disciplined as a child, and loved again and again.

Edom were the descendants of Esau.[4] The city was destroyed, whereas Jacob was disciplined but shown God’s grace and love again and again through the generations. God’s people are confusing discipline with hatred or destruction.

“but Esau I have hated” is a hyperbole where the author chooses exaggeration to make a point – God favors Jacob so much over Esau that it appears as though it is hate – the difference is so great.

Upon returning from exile they are questioning if God loves them or is seeking to destroy them. This doubt and lack of understanding of God’s love is resulting in inauthentic and insincere worship. Whenever there is ingratitude or a lack of recognition of God’s love in a person’s life there will be the inevitable moral decline.[5]

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:14-19

The only acceptable response to this complete and full love of God for His children is one of whole-hearted obedience and genuine worship. God’s people are unwilling to see that He has favored them, while rejecting others. Malachi then goes on to show how their worship to Him and relationship with Him is unacceptable.

Israel’s Reaction to God’s Love #2 – Allowing Sin and Settling for Less than the Best

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord of hosts.

God uses the description of Father and Master to describe his relationship with His people. They should show honor and reverential fear. Instead, their reaction and response to God is to despise His name.[6]

The reaction to being told that they are not honoring or showing respect is a demand of proof. They are then given the examples of polluted food and a polluted attitude.

The priests regarded the Temple service as a miserable job, and performed it with contempt (i.e. “weariness”). They are doing their duty with no attention to important details and with a horrible attitude. They were well aware of the requirements of the law, but were not following it.[7]

If they were to behave or do their duties in such a way for an earthly king they know what would happen to them – but they were offering it to the “Lord of Hosts.”[8] The Lord says it would be better to shut the doors and not have worship than to have this parody of true worship. The priests were not bringing the animals to sacrifice, but were allowing the people to offer “polluted” animals instead of their best.

God’s Reaction to His Love Being Despised

9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the Lord of hosts. 10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. 11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be2 great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. 12 But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised. 13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord. 14 Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.

In 1 Samuel 13 king Saul is concerned that Samuel the prophet was slow in arriving. While Saul was claiming to seek the favor of the Lord and to have Him go with them into battle, he ignored the proper way of doing it (which was for a priest to offer the sacrifice). Saul is indifferent to God’s receiving of the act of worship, only in it being done. He seems to see worship as a formality and of having no power; it has to be done before the men can go to battle. He figures he can just slaughter the animals, wave his hands, say a prayer, and get on with the fighting (the real way that they will win the battle).

“1 Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, 12 I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you.”

1 Samuel 13:12

In Malachi 1 the table of the Lord is polluted because the priests do not understand that the favor and presence of God is directly related to the authenticity of their worship. Worship involves sacrifices and a turning of the heart away from the world and toward God.

Their reaction to this highlighting of their lack of concern for their worship services is for them to say “What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts.” This is tedious, tiring, shouldn’t God just receive whatever I give Him? The answer is a clear no. He does not want your leftovers, the second best (that includes time, possessions, family, talents, excitement, energy, etc.) He wants your heart to respond to His love and for your worship and relationship with Him to be real and genuine.

The people are returning from exile – the Assyrians had attacked and carried them off into captivity and slavery because of their sinfulness and unwillingness to listen to prophets. God allowed the Temple to be destroyed. Now they have been allowed to return to a desolate land after a period of discipline – they must rebuild everything. But even before the Temple itself is rebuilt their worship has already become hollow.

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are also people who have returned from being slaves and captives. They have been released and are now free to worship their Savior. Their lives have been destroyed, and is even now, being rebuilt into the character of Christ.

In the end, the Lord is great and His name will be praised all over the earth. While this may draw the church toward missions and a desire to share the gospel with the world, it is genuine worship that the Lord desires. Missions and evangelism will soon pass, but worship of the Lord will continue throughout all of eternity.

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.”[9]

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[1] http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-sermon-central-staff-stories-honor-hypocrisy-dishonor-76905.asp

[2] The people had just returned from exile and are being challenged to rebuild the Temple (Haggai and Zachariah).

[3] The Broadman Bible Commentary, Hosea-Malachi, vol. 7 (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1972) 374.

[4] Genesis 36; Numbers 20:14-21; Psalm 137:7

[5] Romans 1:18-31

[6] Duet. 14:1; Lev. 25:55

[7] Duet. 15:21

[8] The phrase Lord of Hosts is used 24 times in the book of Malachi indicating the importance of understanding His high place of authority and control of the Hosts of heaven.

[9] The New American Commentary, Haggai-Malachi, vol. 21A (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman and Holman Publishing, 2004) 286.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8

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