Learning to Appreciate
Has anyone else ever felt that it's easy to denigrate other spiritual gifts in order to elevate your own? I gotta say, that is a trap of into which I've fallen many times. Lots of times in cyberspace, too, I'm sure.
This past week was General Conference for my denomination. The more I sit back and watch the hard work of denominational leadership, the more impressed I become by those who have the gift of leadership and are able to exercise it in this context. Most of the time I need someone to explain to me the ins and outs of the meanings of different events because I simply cannot appreciate the delicacy and tact which goes before so many decisions being made in the orders of such large meetings and such a large conference.
I am also learning to appreciate the unnoticed work of my senior pastor whom I have admired for a while, but am re-learning to do so.
Finally, I was informed this week that a woman whom I consider a friend is leaving a church. She is not leaving with hurt feelings (that I know of) but because her (still orthodox) theology is changing and she wants to stay consistent with it. (I don't know if she'd use that wording, but I think it's appropriate.) I contacted her and wished her the best in her Christian faith. Still tough, though.
This past week was General Conference for my denomination. The more I sit back and watch the hard work of denominational leadership, the more impressed I become by those who have the gift of leadership and are able to exercise it in this context. Most of the time I need someone to explain to me the ins and outs of the meanings of different events because I simply cannot appreciate the delicacy and tact which goes before so many decisions being made in the orders of such large meetings and such a large conference.
I am also learning to appreciate the unnoticed work of my senior pastor whom I have admired for a while, but am re-learning to do so.
Finally, I was informed this week that a woman whom I consider a friend is leaving a church. She is not leaving with hurt feelings (that I know of) but because her (still orthodox) theology is changing and she wants to stay consistent with it. (I don't know if she'd use that wording, but I think it's appropriate.) I contacted her and wished her the best in her Christian faith. Still tough, though.
posted by Aaron Perry at
4:04 PM
2 Comments:
Dear Mr. Perry, I don't even know who you are but God told me to type your name in google to find the answer to my question. I don't know exactly what you know but I have faith that the reason he's showed me your name in a vision is because somehow I will get the answer through you. Basically, I'm 20 years old and don't know what to do with my life. I feel Him tugging me to going into preaching and teaching but I don't know how to go about this. I also want to be able to provide for a family, I have no idea where to go. Please I would appreciate it you'd email me at asmith595@ivytech.edu with anything you have to say to me please.
AP, I appreciate the way you so capably handle theological discussions without sacrificing your "real" life. Rather than debate between spiritual gifts (which, I suspect, directly derives from one's own hierarchical spiritual gifts perspective), you honestly point out much of the struggle of the Church of Jesus Christ.
I've been processing for almost a year what the Church would look like if we valued individuals' gifts within our local churches; church-wide gifts within our ecumenical communities; and community gifts within the global Church. For example, what if teachers taught, prophets spoke, and intercessors prayed, without anyone being placed into vacant church positions? What if a church that was overwhelmingly encouraging partnered with (rather than debated with) a church characterized by helps and began meeting needs in a community together?
I could go on like this forever, but it's unnecessary. My point is that all of us would benefit from the continued pursuit of selfless faith that seeks other people's gifts before our own; other people's value before our own; and other people's contributions before our own.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home