1) It is a different ball game so don't compare.

You have to understand that different ministries presents different set of challenges, different problems and demographics. There is no point in pitting one ministry against the other except if it is for the reason of learning from one another.

Comparing does nothing to push forward the kingdom of God. If you are looking for growth, you should not be comparing. That will impair growth. If you are looking for the final product. You will only find it in heaven. If you are looking to make their ministry like your ministry, i'm sorry, you're trying to play soccer on a tennis court.

2) I have to trust that the local leaders know their ministry much better than i do.

I have to trust that they know the skills needs, the advice needed, the strategy needed, the dynamics needed for the people and the group to grow. It is after all, their bread and butter.

If i were to observe a ministry from the outside, of course i will have many comments about it. But do you know the sweat and tears behind what you see? Do you know how many trial and errors they have gone through? Do you know how many set backs the leaders have faced? You'll never know the full picture, not even when you are in the ministry itself, never mind when you are not in the ministry.

People always think that their ideas are the best. It is human nature. It is THEIR idea afterall or they would not even subscribe to that idea. But remember, they may not have the full picture.

The local leaders should really be doing their best to serve God as they know how and i believe that God has placed them there for a reason. So who do you think you are to know better.

3) Set out to help each other grow in love not put their work down.

Having pointed out point 2, it is not to say that we cannot help each other grow. Local leaders, don't smack point 2 into other people's face when they give you feedback. It is possible to help each other grow. Seek to understand each other first before you can give helpful and constructive comments.

The last thing we want to see is people stuffing their strenghts down each other's throat. Remember, the goal is always about moving forward the kingdom of God and not the end product.

4) Know who your real enemy is.

Do not set yourself against one another. At the end of the day, who wins? The devil. Who loses? The kingdom of God. If you really love God, stop the friendly fire and aim at the real enemy. Does it do you any good to shoot another person's ministry down?

The last thing you want will be to allow the devil to build walls of disunity between believers within the church.

5) Give the highest respect for each other's work.

You have to respect them for their heart to want to serve God if not for their work. You may think their work is not good enough. But i tell you what, it is not for you to judge. Leave it to God.

I was from the youth ministry and i am forever grateful for the kind of foundation they built in me. I know that their work is not easy and it has been a long journey for many of them. I really respect them for the hard work they pour into the youths. I know that they are built on solid stuff. Its not all emotions and zeal on their part. They may be young, but many of them have a heart and mind for the kingdom that will make our Father so proud of them.

I am now in the tertiary ministry and i have a first hand experience of how it functions. I give my highest respect for the leaders here for their wisdom, their sweat and tears and also their commitment to serve God despite their busy schedule. There are many issues which a university student will face and without them, there will be many more on the streets leading meaningless life. I myself have gained much benefits from their wisdom and commitment as well.

My point is, it is possible to respect what each other is doing though you may not understand why somethings are done this way. I believe no leader in the world will do things to sabotage their own ministry. In the final analysis, the product may not look good to human eyes, but as long as God is pleased, who are you to say no?

6) Don't stare at their weakness, learn from their strenghts

You may have a point there and you may be perfectly right about the other party's weakness. So what? Does making noise about it change the situation? Remember, saying the right things at the wrong time is the wrong thing.

If you are looking for weaknesses, you'll always find them because no ministry is perfect. So if you find yourself giving nonconstructive comments about each other, the issue now lies not with the other party but yourself. The reason why we may one to look at another ministry is so that we can learn from one another.

7) Don't gossip

There is no point in engaging in small talks about how good this ministry is and how bad it is, for the sake of it. If you want to push for change, don't do it at a level you know will only lead to bad impressions being formed and distrust between the groups.

Go to your pastor and your leaders to seek clarification.

8) Communicate - Silence breeds distrust.

If you want inter ministries relationship to work well, you have to communicate. From the highest level to at least the mid tier leadership. I'm not sure how feasible this is in each instance but the point is, communication always helps.

9) Look for ways and opportunities to work together/ know each other better.

Hey people, the kingdom of God deserves better then "you don't touch me, I don't touch you" Actively look for ways you can encourage one another and spur each other on, not put them down. Look out for ways like com care, events etc where you can work together better. We are afterall brothers and sisters.

10) If you are moving between the ministries, learn to add strength not create havoc

It'll be great if you are new to the group and you can add a new dimension to the group without creating havoc. Do it under the guidance of your leaders.

Leaders, if you are wise, let them add strenght and ask of feedback from them. You may be able to get some breakthrough sort of feedback from them. Take their feedback really seriously. If it is feasible, implement it because it helps. If it is not, explain to them properly why it is not.

All in all,

Jesus says:

20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.

~ John 17:20-21 ~

That all of them may be one. when Jesus says all, he means all.

Today, if you are indifferent towards another people group in the church, think again. Make their success your success, make their failures yours as well.

So today, if you find yourself fragmenting the church think again. In the name of "trying to make his bride better", you are actually tearing it apart.

That all of them may be one.

Regards,

Jie Hui

Labels: Christian Living 2