Open Letter to Ministry Team Members
June 2, 2020
Brendan Prout
It's been a few months since we’ve had our ability to meet on a regular basis, and while most in ministry leadership have encouraged everyone on our teams to stay in practice and exercise resources to keep spiritually healthy, just from the lack of ability to meet together regularly, more than a little discord has snuck in to our teams.
It's focused on a lot of different spots, ranging from opinions on our collective response to COVID-19, to the ongoing protests and rioting and looting, to constitutional issues, to opinions regarding what our church is doing and how we're doing it.
It's been a bit of the times of the Judges, with people doing what is right in their own minds rather than striving for unity together. Striving for what we want for ourselves, rather than what is best for everyone else. Harboring selfish attitudes and motivations that come across in decisions & verbal expressions. Insisting on our own way rather than preferring others.
I'm going to call it right there and say: that does not please Jesus.
What pleases Jesus are humble hearts, servant hearts, hearts more concerned about others than ourselves.
Take a few seconds to check this out bit of wisdom from Austin Ryan from his book The Radical Worship Solution (page 134):
"It's not about me!"
No matter where you are- an office, your living room, even the public library.
One, two, three: "IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!" I'm glad to hear you say that.
"I didn't get to sing lead on that song." Well, good thing it's not about you.
"That actor is getting more stage time than me." That's okay. It's not about you anyway.
"I don't like that new song." Thank goodness it's not about you then.
"We are introducing too many new people onto our team." Well, it's a good thing it's not about you.
It's not about you or me or any of us. It never has been.
It never will be. It's not about your feelings or your family or your time or your schedule. It's not about your money or your ability or your sacrificial gift to God. Everything we do is always about Jesus, the Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for our sin. Period. Peace out.*
Time for a heart reset.
Take some time, pray, get right with God, get humble.
Seek ye first HIS righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Not seek first our own desires, because our hearts are deceitfully wicked.
Yes, they can especially deceive our own selves into thinking we're right, we have it all figured out, we know better than others around us.
The bottom line truth is: We are NEVER the benchmark. NEVER. EVER.
Jesus is.
He is enough.
He is more than enough.
He is the benchmark.
He is the one - the ONE - and ONLY - in all history of all humanity - who has gotten it right.
Not us. Not me. Not you. So... if you've been displaying any of the "it's all about me" attitude at all lately, knock it off. Prayerfully, but immediately.
To quote my dear friend the indomitable Tonie Bauer, "we have to get away from 'I deserve' and get into 'I want to serve!'"
Get after that, church. Die to self and live to Christ, for others.
Be different than the world. It's what the world needs.
Brendan is a husband, dad, pastor & worship leader who loves Jesus, music, guitars, San Diego, Comic-Con, Star Wars, all things geeky, coffee, cars & not driving off cliffs anymore. He has been leading worship for over 30 years and loves helping people develop their skills & training for the Lord in music. Find @brendanprout on instagram, facebook, youtube, reverbnation, soundcloud, or brendanprout.com
*The Radical Worship Solution by Austin Ryan can be found on Amazon or worshipcatalyst.com
June 2, 2020
Brendan Prout
It's been a few months since we’ve had our ability to meet on a regular basis, and while most in ministry leadership have encouraged everyone on our teams to stay in practice and exercise resources to keep spiritually healthy, just from the lack of ability to meet together regularly, more than a little discord has snuck in to our teams.
It's focused on a lot of different spots, ranging from opinions on our collective response to COVID-19, to the ongoing protests and rioting and looting, to constitutional issues, to opinions regarding what our church is doing and how we're doing it.
It's been a bit of the times of the Judges, with people doing what is right in their own minds rather than striving for unity together. Striving for what we want for ourselves, rather than what is best for everyone else. Harboring selfish attitudes and motivations that come across in decisions & verbal expressions. Insisting on our own way rather than preferring others.
I'm going to call it right there and say: that does not please Jesus.
What pleases Jesus are humble hearts, servant hearts, hearts more concerned about others than ourselves.
Take a few seconds to check this out bit of wisdom from Austin Ryan from his book The Radical Worship Solution (page 134):
"It's not about me!"
No matter where you are- an office, your living room, even the public library.
One, two, three: "IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!" I'm glad to hear you say that.
"I didn't get to sing lead on that song." Well, good thing it's not about you.
"That actor is getting more stage time than me." That's okay. It's not about you anyway.
"I don't like that new song." Thank goodness it's not about you then.
"We are introducing too many new people onto our team." Well, it's a good thing it's not about you.
It's not about you or me or any of us. It never has been.
It never will be. It's not about your feelings or your family or your time or your schedule. It's not about your money or your ability or your sacrificial gift to God. Everything we do is always about Jesus, the Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for our sin. Period. Peace out.*
Time for a heart reset.
Take some time, pray, get right with God, get humble.
Seek ye first HIS righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
Not seek first our own desires, because our hearts are deceitfully wicked.
Yes, they can especially deceive our own selves into thinking we're right, we have it all figured out, we know better than others around us.
The bottom line truth is: We are NEVER the benchmark. NEVER. EVER.
Jesus is.
He is enough.
He is more than enough.
He is the benchmark.
He is the one - the ONE - and ONLY - in all history of all humanity - who has gotten it right.
Not us. Not me. Not you. So... if you've been displaying any of the "it's all about me" attitude at all lately, knock it off. Prayerfully, but immediately.
To quote my dear friend the indomitable Tonie Bauer, "we have to get away from 'I deserve' and get into 'I want to serve!'"
Get after that, church. Die to self and live to Christ, for others.
Be different than the world. It's what the world needs.
Brendan is a husband, dad, pastor & worship leader who loves Jesus, music, guitars, San Diego, Comic-Con, Star Wars, all things geeky, coffee, cars & not driving off cliffs anymore. He has been leading worship for over 30 years and loves helping people develop their skills & training for the Lord in music. Find @brendanprout on instagram, facebook, youtube, reverbnation, soundcloud, or brendanprout.com
*The Radical Worship Solution by Austin Ryan can be found on Amazon or worshipcatalyst.com
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