Last week I started a blog about followership and its importance. The emphasis was on the fact that good followers make good leaders and just like good leaders can get off track, so can followers. Here is my follower trap #2.
Having the mindset that someone else will do it.
In any organization, including the church, there is always a litany of important things that need to be done to make the organization run smoothly. Unfortunately, many times, much of what needs to get done gets left undone due to the mindset that someone else will do it. Think about it. How many times have you heard someone on the job complaining that something they think should be a priority is being left undone and yet they haven't lifted a finger themselves to help or change the situation. This happens a lot in the church. In fact, there are two very specific areas this is seen vividly.
1. It's seen in giving. Growing up as a pastor's son, I can't tell you how many times I have walked into churches all over the country and thought to myself, this is despicable. I mean I have literally been in churches where the carpet was stained, light bulbs were burnt out, tables and chairs were falling apart, paint was peeling off the wall and the smell was a combination of disinfectant and mold. Of course, the initial thought that ran through my mind was that the pastor didn't care and wasn't providing good leadership. Sometimes that is the case, but more often than not, it isn't that the pastor that's the culprit. Usually what has happened is that somewhere along the line the culture of the church has gone from being one of generosity to one of selfishness. This culture is bread out of the mindset that someone else will do it. This should NEVER be the case. Here's why. Giving is not only a biblical concept, but it is one that is imperative for any church to thrive. If the majority's mindset week after week is that we don't have to contribute someone else will take care of that part, the end result will be a church that is not only aesthetically lacking, but one where the staff and ministries of the church are less than adequate. There is no way that honors God. One of the best qualities that any follower, especially a Christ follower, can have is a generous spirit that says I will give.
2. It's seen in serving. Anyone who has ever been a part of an organization has probably heard about the 80/20 rule. This is the rule that states that 80% of the work gets done by 20% of the people. When I first heard about this principle or rule I thought there is no way this can be the case in the church. I was wrong! In fact, many times 90% of the work gets done by 10% of the people. Now why is that? Well, it's very simple. It is directly related to the mindset that says, someone else will do it. Here is a news flash: NO THEY WON'T! And they shouldn't have to. The Bible teaches that the church operates much like a physical body operates. And just like our physical bodies suffer when one part doesn't operate effectively, so it is with the church. The bottom line is this: If the church is to be all that God wants it to be, each person must take responsibility for using their gifts for the good of the whole. In other words, it's everyones responsibility to serve, not just a few. Let me ask you, can you imagine what kind of impact, not only our church, but churches everywhere would have if Christ followers made it a priority to do away with the someone else will do it mindset? Ira Chaleff puts it this way in The Courageous Follower, "If we serve only ourselves and not the leaders or the stakeholders (members) we are not followers but opportunists siphoning of the energy of the group to serve our own agendas." Pretty strong words huh? I hope it's a call to action for many of us!
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