One of our values at Hub City is that when we do our part, God does his part.
I read this passage this morning. It illustrates the value that when we do our part, God does his part, over and over again. At the end of that passage is this verse: As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
One of my passions is to see Hub City be a body that is healthy, growing and full of love. But to get there, according to this verse, each part of our body must do its own special work, and in doing its own special work we will help each other grow, and the end result is a body that's healthy, growing and full of love.
Which leads me to this question: Are those of us that are a part of Hub City each doing our own special work? And, as the leader, am I doing my part to prepare and equip people to do their own special work?
Just some questions I'm working through this morning.
8 comments:
I really like the Message version for this passage... only partly because it mentions "seizing the booty."
So how do we know what our own special work is? Do we just try a bit of everything until we find something that fits? I guess this has always been confusing to me. I mean, if someone gives you a toaster for a gift, you don't spend years trying to figure out if it A) toasts bread B) brews coffee or C) irons your laundry... Is God just being a super sleuth about this gift, or am I missing something here?
I have often been jealous of those who have obvious gifts... the pastor, teacher, evangelist, etc gifts... What about the rest of us? And please don't pull the whole "every body needs a foot... and the extra care for the delicate parts... etc etc..." What exactly is an armpit or a big toe in real life?
Great question. First, I'm thinking that anybody that almost gets kicked out of a library might be the armpit... just sayin'. :)
Seriously, I think we make this harder than it needs to be. I think there's a two pronged answer. First, I think that figuring out what "our own special work" is involves our passions or what we're good at. Like you and baking bread for communion. You're gifted and good at that and you're using your passion to serve the church. Now there's something that's important here: I think it's important that someone uses their passions and talents under the mission/vision of the church so that there's a fit.
Second, I also think that there's something important about doing what needs to be done. Sometimes people need to step up and do what needs to be done for the good of the body.
Don't be jealous of those with the obvious gifts, because just because they seem obvious they are not always obvious to the person who has those gifts/callings. It took me 14 years to work through the mess of figuring out my passions and gifts and skills to get to where I am.
I thought of this illustration too. I heard it a few years ago. Picture a swimming pool that has a target right at the center. Think of that target as your sweet spot in the body. Now picture a diving board. Your goal is to jump into the pool and land in your sweet spot. But very few people land in their sweet spot the first time, or the second time, or the third time. But they jump. And they swim around for a while. And they try out new stuff. And when they realize that that's not their sweet spot they climb back onto the diving board and jump in again. The key is a willingness to do our part, which is to jump into the pool, and then letting God do his part of showing us where he wants us to be.
don't know if that makes sense. I don't think it's something we need to super-spiritualize, nor is it something we need to make harder than it is. It's both doing what needs to be done and investing what you're good at towards the mission of the Church.
Allen is just one of those neat people who actually WANT to be the armpit. Takes all kinds I suppose! Perhaps that makes me the deoderant...
I guess I'm just wondering why there seems to be a "calling" to the fivefold ministry... but not necessarily for whatever the other gifts/services are... or maybe there is and we just don't talk about it.
I'm not saying that those jobs aren't important (pastor, teacher, etc) because they are huge in that they are equipping roles... And I'm not saying that cause you have the power to kick me off your blog... But traditionally all the other roles are pretty much poo-pooed and you feel like you've done your part if you show up to church Sunday and maybe give a little extra offering for "missions sunday" or whatever.
I guess this all goes back to what you were saying about needing eachother and such... I'd like to see more about that.
I think we need a second hub group where we freely discuss topical issues. I guess that would just be called "hanging out." Still. This is fun stuff.
I think, we sometimes focus too much on the analogy. That someone has to be the big toe.... what if the pastors are the big toes? They have to help balance the rest of the body and keep it upright and walking in the right direction, right?
I think, most of know what are passions and gifts are, we just don't know how to use them for God's work. We know what we would do if we could do anything, we just have a hard time thinking outside of the box enough to realize how we can use what we're good at for Jesus. I think, that's where the big toes, that is the pastors, teachers, etc., come in... to help the rest us figure out how to use our gifts.
Guess I am to unchurched because all of this talk makes me confused. My church announced they were closing a few weeks ago and they recommended this church. Trying to get some insight, but where can I find out about the church - all this blog stuff seems to be too heavy for me.
John,
Sorry about confusing you. This blog is just my ramblings and sometimes a "stream of consciousness" way for me to process my thoughts. I can see how it can be confusing. The best way to find out about Hub City is to check out our web site: www.hubcitychurch.com. An even better way is to come hang out with us. If you come please introduce yourself to me and I'll apologize in person for the confusing blog.
I'm sad to hear about your church closing. I never like to hear that. What church have you been a part of?
Jaimee,
I've got to say that I've always been bothered that people think and teach that there's only a "calling" to vocational ministry. I think we over-spiritualize the whole calling thing. I think that each person has a calling. It flows from gifts and passions and strengths and talents. I think that each calling is equally important. I think that goes back to the passage in that when everyone is doing their part then everyone is built up.
And, I should have said this earlier, but I don't think that we're to use our gifts, talents, strengths, "special work" solely within the context of the church. I think we have those gifts, ect. to be used to be the church in the world.
Melanie,
Thanks for jumping into the discussion, but I'm a little hurt that you called me the big toe. I'm going to go pout now.
I do like the "thinking outside the box." I don't think pastors/equipers have been all that good at helping people think outside the box.
Read this thought by Henry Blackaby this AM and thought it fit the discussion: An ordinary person is who God most likes to use. If you feel weak, limited, ordinary, you are the best material through which God can work. Deborah, Gideon, and the other judges had great reasons God could not use them. Time after time God surprised Israel by choosing these unexpected, unqualified people to lead them. Where does God want you as a leader?
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