Comments on: Five Ways To Undermine Your Calling

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:54:21 +0000

Hi Eddy,Thanks for expressing some of the pain that is present in the middle of some of these issues. The good news here is that it sounds like you are continuing to work through some of these issues. Good for you! I think that is where most of us are at one time or another. Thanks!

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:50:01 +0000

Karin,Very good. What said regarding the air of superiority projected by some ministers is so important. In particular I like these lines:…The others are simply lay people – and what could they possibly add to
your life. Don’t welcome them to ask you the hard-hitting questions.
Maintain that air of superiority and make sure they know their place…What a loss when we do not recognize that the body of Christ has something significant to contribute to our lives. Yes–even the one with the most formal Biblical education. I also like what you said regarding confidentiality. Thanks!

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 10:44:24 +0000

Arlene,You are right. This could have easily been written from the perspective of underming one’s call as a disciple in general.Firestorm sounds very interesting. I like the "Pastor’s Four Pillars of Strength." Very good. I need to get this book. I was not familiar with it. Thanks for making me aware of this work.

By: Arlene Kasselman

Arlene Kasselman — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:21:50 +0000

Jim, this is an excellent call to accountability for all of us, thanks. It made me think that we could just as easily change the title to 5 ways to undermine your calling as a disciple (in general).
In Susek’s book Firestorm, he include a section that was so impactful to me – he discuss 4 traits that he thinks are essential to ministry. He call it TRIM, The Pastor’s Four Pillars of Strength, and it is outstanding. They are Truth, Relationship, Integrity and Mission. Susek believes that these pillars are not mere personality traits but the skills of Ministry. An essential balancing of these pillars is necessary to not only meet the inherent needs of people, but to also be equipped to prevent firestorms and to ensure that the minister is not responsible for them. He states, “God not only calls you to exercise areas in which you feel gifted, but also to develop the craft of ministering to all the needs of his people”

By: karin

karin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:29:31 +0000

Perhaps that’s already covered under the immaturity paragraph – but keep thinking that you are the only one who has all the answers. After all, you’ve got the degree! The others are simply lay people – and what could they possibly add to your life. Don’t welcome them to ask you the hard-hitting questions. Maintain that air of superiority and make sure they know their place. After all they must not touch the Lord’s anointed! My next would be – Don’t keep confidences. Be sure to give a full report to your spouse what the counselee shared with you. The spouse can help you pray for that person and share with others the detailed needs of this person. Being in ministry I’ve been witness to such malignant behavior believe it or not. I’m sure there are more ways to undermine our ministry, but this shall suffice for now. Good topic for discussion – so often we are blind to our own faults.

By: eddy

eddy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:42:42 +0000

NOW, you tell me. Have had to wrestle (and get kicked upside the head) with #3–Trying to avoid conflict so avoided setting boundaries and hesitant to confront; compounded by not being crystal clear on my beliefs of non-negotiables versus opinions. When my foul lines are unclear, tend to make inconsistent calls. Am currently revisiting my list of definites/maybes/noways.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:19:37 +0000

James–Thanks for your additional thoughts to this. You and Frank are right. This is very uncomfortable. I appreciate your note.

By: Jim Martin

Jim Martin — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:18:33 +0000

Frank– Just been thinking about these issues for quite sometime. I think they are worth wrestling with. Thanks for your comment!

By: James

James — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:46:32 +0000

Amen to that, Frank.Concerning #5, and great contributor to that weakness is when we let ourselves get into the rut of reading scripture only for what we will teach, and not to be genuinely fed. All great points, and a good (if altogether too uncomfortable) self-exam.

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:40:43 +0000

Jim, a little too straight for comfort. You’ve gone to meddlin’ now.