"Cockamamie" Church Careers

Church for most in this nation is a way of life. States like Texas, California, Florida, Michigan and Illinois are filled with them. City church buildings are mega-sized and located nearly on every corner. I reside in one of the fastest growing cities in the nation for megachurch growth---Atlanta, Georgia. This is one of the places where it's common to observe individuals strolling back-and-forth to a large local church building  (5,000+ in attendance on average). Many are state-of-the-art with intricate design, satellite campuses and multimedia platforms.

So what is it that really goes on in these religious megaplexes? What has everyone's attention so wrapped up? Some would say, "Well, it's the preaching! No, others would reply that it's the band-styled music and casual feel. And even others would highlight that it's all about the free coffee plus friendly environment." With all these statements come job descriptions. Preachers, bands and coffee attendants are here to serve, and I mean serve often. I'm talking about roles treated almost like budding careers. Even though one is only volunteering, it's like you're actually clocking in.

One has to be there not just on time but early and is advised to clean up, leaving late. Departmental meetings must be attended. There are literal job training seminars in the form of leadership development forums. Excellence is demanded and numbers growth is promoted. This is a cycle that goes on for years, every week. After a while in one field, you can transition to another. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a career to me. Some with pay and others with no pay. But should the local church be about making (in-house) careers for nearly everyone involved, similar to a major business? Or is much of this to be viewed as a bit cockamamie (decalcomania).

Here are some real life careers that are hard to believe:

Vacation Specialist
Dog Wig Designer
Professional Ant Picker
Underwear/Hand Model
Video Game Life Coach
Celebrity Umbrella Holder
Cat Psychic
Luxury Fountain Pen Repairer
Cowpuncher

I realize many of these sound bizarre, and are truly cockamamie. And I didn't even bother mentioning the six figure salary careers of Pet Detective, Food Critic and Gossip Columnist. But is today's local church so different, or so much the same.

Try these on for size:

Director of Fulfillment
Athletics Director
Executive Pastor
Greeter
Usher
Mother of the Church
Parking Lot Director
Armor bearer
Donut/Coffee Manager

Now, no one is opposing these positions and saying, "Hurry up and get those roles out of your local church!" But it's clear to note that many individuals may be better resourced in truly doing work that Jesus desired for us. For that matter, most churches can take another look into seeing what God was more focused on the local church being about as it relates to kingdom labor. And the idea of cockamamie careers probably aren't at the top of the list, or even on His list at all. Again, no one is opposing these positions, just opening church leaders up to a different perspective of reevaluation for resourcing their people. If MOST of what a church leader focuses on being done is only limited to the four-walls of their church, that just may NOT be the greatest focus. People are lost, hurting and dying daily. And get this, they may never step foot in your local church building. How can you reach them, when they're right in your budding city or right outside your door? Church leaders need to know "There's so much MORE God desires of them as leaders who represent Him!"  

TRENDWATCHING: "Stellar Worship Services"

As we conclude this short mini-series on "Trendwatching" it is only fitting to inform you, trends aren't always bad. But the church has to realize we shouldn't automatically assume, they're always good, either. Ultimately, God should be the primary one directing a local church and the international church body as a whole, not mankind. In addition, ideas and concepts are good when filtered through God's direction. Too often, we ignore the Godly filtration, being more concerned with enjoying worship service on a grandiose scale. 

If it's working massively for someone else's ministry; that's no outright correlation that it'll work the same for yours. One of the more widely-known areas where this can be easily seen is in "worship services." All of a sudden, worship services have to be "stellar." They have to become super-impressive and copycat trends of the latest and most fanciest Sunday services of our day. Here are 5 things that'll explain better what I mean:

Cutting-edge Multimedia Presentations

Stellar worship services must now be filled with cutting-edge interactive multimedia. These presentations must be grandiose and eye-catching. So for the smaller local church who can't afford these; they feel left out and ineffective in competing to retain visiting guests. Because the guests want to see technology galore: flashing lights, smoke, animation, elite graphics, high-definition visual effects and so on. Wow, what a display! It's all well and dandy to have a million-dollar multimedia setup. But it is not necessary for an impactful worship service. "But, Mark...you need to wake up...we're in the 21st century. This is how things go!" And again, I would respond, "but, it's not necessary! It's nice but not needed." If a local church can afford it without going nearly broke, demanding multiple sacrificial offerings to foot the bill, then go for it. But God can do more, even today, without all the theatrics. There's ONLY 1 thing needful, and Jesus believed that was Him and His message (Luke 10:38-42). Just like the scripture, individuals can become so distracted by their serving and stellar presentations; that they lose sight of God Himself.

Perfect Sounding Boards

Stellar worship services must now be controlled by perfect sounding boards. The sound has to be crisp and delightful. We should be able to hear a pin drop in the room. And of course, top-notch microphones, keyboards, drums, and guitars must be used in conjunction with the sound board. Monitors and speakers must be so in sync that guests, attenders and members feel like they're at an IMAX theater. Wow, what an experience! Again, none of this is truly necessary. It's nice but not needed. The Bible is clear that Jesus and the apostles spoke to multitudes of people at a time, thousands. Surprisingly, there were no sounding boards and they heard what was said. The people were more interested in what was being said more than how crisp it was sounding. So they made a conscious decision to listen more intently. And let's not think there weren't distractions. Noises came from people doing business in the market, birds flying above, waves crashing the sea, side conversations, etc. In spite of all that, they still chose to listen in. Now, I clearly understand the purpose behind using a sounding board. And again, if your local church can afford it without nearly going broke, then go for it. But the desire for the perfection of sound can become a distraction to the bigger picture of the worship service. Individuals can get all worked up because the sound wasn't perfect that they fail to listen more intently.

Concert-level Music

Stellar worship services must develop concert-level music. In other words, the praise and worship must coincide well with the prior two subjects, and then some. It has to be on point! The praise team or choir must seek out individuals with the most melodious voices. The praise team leader, lead singer or choir director is nearly worshiped. And their acclaim should be almost up there with the pastor/overseer. Meaning in their mind, they're untouchable, unaccountable to anyone and is mainly responsible for the local church's rapid growth. Oh by the way, they need to get paid big bucks. Or else, they'll take their talented services to the local church on the other side of town; who would eagerly accept them to garner in rapid growth results. What a travesty! But instead of entertaining people, how about we just reach people with the gospel as our priority. The music setup shouldn't take preeminence over that. Again, none of this is really necessary. It's nice but not needed. How many of Jesus' messages were preluded by music? What about the apostles' messages? What about Paul's? Where was their band? Where was the choir? Don't get me wrong, the music can be a benefit to the message. But it should never transcend the message. People shouldn't be so wrapped up into the music, and afterwards tune out the preaching, wanting it rushed. But today that's done in many local churches, too many. Emotions and moods are real, but truth in love is what will bring real freedom. It's a healthy thing for your music ministry to know that on a weekly basis. (Watch this video about this this song)

Fashion Show Runways

Stellar worship services must have fashion show runways. It's not so much that they're modeling designer fashion, even though many local churches are, but rather designer appeal/status. See, many of today's churches have got away from suits and ties, but that doesn't mean they're not trying to still look over-professional. We clothe ourselves with self-righteousness, pride, unforgiveness, gossip, envy, jealousy, etc. And many of the things God wants us clothed with, we neglect (Colossians 3:12-15). Sadly, the best are praised in many local churches: the most professional, most talented, most famous, most wealthy, etc. But is that how God truly wants it? Does He just care about churches being filled with individuals living the middle class or wealthy lifestyle? Ideal families polished with the American Dream. Or is He also highly interested in the broken, homeless, handicapped, poor, and uneducated taking a seat as well? Many of those individuals just listed, local churches would rather not have. But ask yourself, "Is that God's stance?"

Ego-driven Platforms   

Finally, stellar worship services must spotlight ego-driven platforms. If one has a stellar church, suddenly, they're a celebrity. And many bask in that glory. They want to be placed on radio, television, in print, etc. for more of a spotlight to be shown on them. They have to wear the best, dine at the best and lodge in the most expensive places on vacation. Their speaking fees are astronomical, and if you're not willing to dish out the mega-bucks; you can't afford to get the mega preaching-star. Their homes are palatial, cars are ridiculously expensive and jewelry divine. Price and life style expense: It doesn't matter just as long as it strokes their ego. And only they can hear soundly from God but rarely anyone else. Again, none of this is absolutely necessary. It's nice but not needed. No one is saying live like a poor, miserable and lonely vagabond. Neither is anyone saying don't have a major ministry. But one must be careful with claiming too much of the spotlight. The spotlight should SOLELY go on Jesus, and we should be okay with being in the background, at times. Regardless of our popularity, we should check our egos at the door and give ALL the glory to God. (I Corinthians 3:1-11). 

TRENDWATCHING: "The Leading Trend"

Today, we will be embarking on a new mini-series called "trendwatching." It is not just the watching of trends that will become our observational basis, but some of the latest trends particularly in the church. Okay, with no further ado, let's jump in.

Yes, churches follow fads and trends! Some are healthy and some not so healthy. The first trend we'll be addressing is the "leading trend." One may ask, "What is the leading trend?" Well, it's quite simple. The leading trend is the trend of revamped leadership in the church. But one is not just referring to any old type of leadership; we're talking about hyperbolic leadership. I know some are thinking: "Goodness, Mark...enough with the big words." Just stay with me for a moment, I'm going somewhere with this! Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration as a rhetorical device or figure of speech. It is based on exaggerated emphasis or unrealistic expectations. 

So what's the importance of this lesson in creative literature? The importance is this: many churches are demanding unrealistic expectations as it relates to leadership. Now, it's fully understandable to want better leadership and run a smoother sailing ship, but at what cost?

Here are 3 things your church can watch out for as being wrong reasons for revamping your leadership (in order to honor God):

"We Want Immediate Growth"

"It's our growth, and we want it now!" This slogan may work with J.G. Wentworth and not fully with the local church. The local church is not a structured settlement; it's a loving community. Just like any other thing in life, growth is not always overnight. Get this, it's a process! To automatically think your church will go from 10 to 10,000 in a matter of a couple months is extremely unrealistic, no matter what gimmicks you do. I never said it couldn't be done, but unnecessary pressure would be added to a local group of people unwisely. Individuals can better plan for steps than they could for long jumps. Let God control the growth, not a local church's overzealous leadership.

"We Want Excellence"

Excellence is a good word, but recently, churches have overused it. First and foremost, there is a proper attitude that should go with excellence. Rather than having impressive results, God desires for your heart to be right. If one has to complain to ministry after ministry or want a Sunday morning to be a worship service of absolute perfection and won't be pleased unless those results are always rendered; that's just unrealistic. I refer to it as Unexcellent Excellence. People resent working or volunteering in a local church that overvalues some lofty goal of impressive results, rather than truly valuing the people themselves. Churches should value both, weighing heavier on the individual. A good motto is, "...In all things LOVE." Ministries shouldn't be so quick to rebuke their helpers for not always getting things perfectly right the first or even fifth time around. Again, let's understand most things done (even in the church) are a process and not usually learned overnight. It's not just about excellent-looking end results. But it's about having an attitude, a heart---a proper spirit of excellence in love---toward one another in reaching those eventual end results together, as a team.

"We Want to Treat our Guests like they're at the Ritz-Carlton"

Lastly, churches are just too eager to get people into seats and go after large numbers for a Sunday worship service. Sometimes churches go way too overboard with their treatment of visitors. I understand the importance of making people feel welcomed, but not at the expense of everybody else. Dont' just treat your guest well, treat everyone well. If it's ONLY about the guests, then that's no longer a church but a hotel. In a hotel you don't expect people to stay too long, so you give them 5-star treatment for a hopeful annual return visit. Churches shouldn't look to survive on annual return visits. Churches are made to be similar to a community, a family, a hospital, a building, a marriage and a body. These are all definitions the Bible gives for the church. It's about a day-by-day support system, not a once-a-year vacation plan. It's made for where you live (on this journey called life), not just where you visit. Never is the thought of a hotel, motel or inn ever applied for the concept of the church.

And for the 5-star treatment, hotels like the Ritz-Carlton only give 5-star service for a 5-star price. If you pay $500+/night; you'll get great service. But try getting that same service on a $50/night budget at the Ritz. They'll laugh you out of the hotel, sending you across town to the Motel 6 or Red Roof Inn. What happened to the great service? The great service was only partial to high-qualifying clientele. God's not like that; He's impartial. Churches should take note and be like-minded.   

Expect the BEST but Prepare for the WORST

It has to be a consistent thought-process for individuals this year to do 2 key things:

(i) Expect the BEST

(ii) Prepare for the WORST

Let's dive right into addressing both of these concepts---

Do we usually expect the best in life? Or do we resent our lives? Expecting the best for one's life has much to do with attitude and perspective. If one is filled with a motivated attitude, they will expect the best out of life. They will focus on the colorful rainbow coming in radiantly after the rain, rather than on the rain itself. Their attitude would be one of gratefulness instead of misery, even with misery all around them. These are the motivators, encouragers and gregarious individuals in life. These are the ones who have the "it" factor as it relates to enthusiam and vigor.

But many of these individuals usually end up having the right perspective in life as well. "Life is what you make of it." Life isn't a pie-in-the-sky journey that has no problems along the way. So their perspective is important to that understanding. They don't often depend on people to lift their spirits and make them joyful. In turn, they tap into the joy laying dormant with inside of themselves. They use their optimistic perspective to light the match of potential, leading to ongoing cheerfulness.

Now, these individuals seem to good to be true; they seem a bit out of touch with reality. One can see how someone can think that. But there is a remedy for that conception. This leads right into the next concept.

They must also prepare for the worst. Notice, one didn't say they should believe for the worse, only prepare for it. Some get this confused with suddenly converting to now a pessimist. No, one must stay optimistic, not just positive but actually optimistic. Positivity centers merely on thought; optimism revolves around intents and actions. One shouldn't just think great things can happen today, but one should be positioning themselves to literally walk in those great things.

In preparing for the worst, step-by-step praticality comes into play. So instead of just believing for a raise at work, one also places money away in savings or to the side. This is not done to disregard the anticipation of the raise; it is an added piece in connection with the raise. And in the end, the person has a boat load of money put away in savings that year and/still with the hopes of a raise. This could be the same for healing/healthy living, business start-ups/more professional schooling, etc. Sadly, individuals who tend to struggle on multiple occasions with this dilemma are Christians. They tend to often look to one point or the other, and not both. Both are needed for a healthy balance in trusting God as well as preparing for the realities of life. The more we implement both of these, the better off we can be. 

Multiple Opportunities for Growth...

It should be no surprise that we all can GROW. Actually, we all must grow. And I mean grow a lot! Especially, in the area of spiritual growth is where much of the work is needed. We all can become better at multiple things. You can do more and be more. Here is a list of 25 opportunities that may help your spiritual growth spurts:

1.) Reaching out to the hurting, broken and rejected
2.) Using Godly wisdom
3.) Walking in love more consistently
4.) Handling our finances better
5.) Studying the Bible more frequently, instead of sometimes simply reading it like a novel
6.) Assisting those with physical, spiritual, mental and emotional needs
7.) Organizing our time more efficiently
8.) Not being stressed out so easily
9.) Running after God
10.) Valuing our relationships properly
11.) Supporting our children & loved ones
12.) Aiding the poor (only the ones truly needy, not the scammers)
13.) Giving a listening ear to the elderly
14.) Being more effective in ministry
15.) Preparing more soundly for our endeavors
16.) Witnessing with more intentionality
17.) Praying more fervently
18.) Fasting more
19.) Being less self-centered, demanding my own way
20.) Being less prideful, and more humble
21.) Being less stubborn, and more flexible
22.) Checking our ugly attitude at the door
23.) Being more patient
24.) Holding onto our peace
25.) Refusing to relinquish our joy by remaining grateful 

Disappointments & Rewards

Over time, most in life will experience some type of setback or disappointment. You know, the plans don't always go quite as planned. The rejection of a marriage proposal or on a job interview, that could be a major disappointment. The failure of a business/financial risk as well as failing to get accepted into a major college, these can also be disappointing. Your family, children or friends can let you down at the time you most need them. What a disappointing experience to have to deal with any of these... Disappointment can seem like it's forever, but it's NOT. 

Unsuprisingly, this is basically a part of life. To put it bluntly, "Stuff happens!" And not always the good kind of stuff. Romans 8:28 reminds us---that it can work together for our good. And not that it will often feel, look or be good.

But there's nothing more disappointing than feeling like the local church or even God has let you down. Sometimes it may seem like you have let yourself down too many times, based on the devastating choices you chose. One can eventually get stuck in a rut of disappointment. You can start to believe "this is just the way life is for me. I get little to know breaks and I'm destined for disappointment." Believe me friend, I've BEEN there, too many times than I would care to admit. What's reassuring is the fact that I don't have to LIVE or STAY there.

Thankfully, every cloud has a silver lining, and there is sunshine after the rain.

Inspirational communicator Les Brown said it like this:

"Anytime you suffer a setback or disappointment, put your head down and plow ahead."

What was understood is that, "There are rewards up ahead..." Again, disappointment isn't always forever. Your joy can be in knowing: this will all change some day. It could be a lot sooner than later. It could even be here in 2012. Don't blame God, pray for your local church along with its leaders and refuse to get too down on yourself. Remember, rewards are on the way! 

Challenges & Wonders

2012, some have already seen this year immediately leading in one direction or another---challenges or wonders. Of course, we all would prefer the delightful wonders. Everything in life being just as blissful as it can possibly be. A "no worries" state of mind where days are just fine and dandy, a breeze. Like the Christmas movie---It's a Wonderful Life, angelic George Bailey comes in and saves the day. Work is a dream job, plenty of money's in the bank, bills are paid weeks-to-months in advance, relationships are lovingly intimate, children are amazingly cooperative and even the dog is tailwaggingly well-behaved. Ahhh, those are the days...! 

But is that usually the reality for most people? Or are those extremely rare days? And I do mean extremely...! Over the course of being just a little past a couple weeks in the year, I can attest with conviction, challenges have already creeped into 2012. That dream job is still placed on hold, money concerns have already arisen, relationships are tense, children are seemingly losing their minds and the dog refuses to shut-up much of the night.

Yeah, I thought I would start to get some more of your attention by now! And snap you out of the fairytale ending of your life. The second scenario could be much more of what you're experiencing early in 2012. But rest in knowing a few things:

1. You're NOT alone...!

2. Life is a journey...so when you get an opportunity, stop and smell the roses.
3. Remember, challenges are a part of life.
4. Learn to GROW in the midst of challenges.
5. The BEST you is still on the horizon.
6. While you're going through what you're going through, help somebody else in need.
7. And, last but not least, let God lead your heart, words and actions...He's still in control.