More Important Than Jesus

on Feb 16 in Church, Leadership

When I was a pastor, the paid and volunteer leaders got together for a yearly weekend retreat.  Most years, we talked about the good, the not-so-good, and the opportunities we had for the future.  One year, though, the agenda was thrown out the window.

That was the year we all repented.

Every one of us.

It was as if God Himself showed up in our mountain cabin, and caused us to desperately admit any good ministry task or goal we had inadvertently placed higher than Jesus. As we stood in a circle, our Senior Pastor lead us through this spontaneous process.  With our hands held by the people on our right and left, and with our eyes closed tightly, these phrases began to come from our mouths…

* God. I admit that I’ve put the church’s numerical growth above my desire for Jesus.

* God. I confess that I’ve put recruiting new teachers above Jesus Christ.

* I confessed that I put what others thought about the music/arts above my heart’s yearning for the Son of God.

In any ministry, it’s so easy to put good things above THE thing.  When we talk about wanting to build a big church, or recruit great leaders, or perform music with excellence, it all sounds SO good and SO pious.

But when we put those goals above our desire for the presence of Jesus, we’re screwed.

Paul put it this way (Phil. 3:8)…

I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

So what about you?  Is there some good and noble aspect of ministry (paid or volunteer) that you’ve inadvertently placed about your heart’s yearning for Jesus?

Might it be good to repent?

Go ahead.  We’re all friends here.  It’s only the internet.