This post is part of my “New Generation of Christians” series. If you’d like, you can check out the first posts, Character and Courage.
Perhaps the biggest problem facing Christian leaders and ministers today is insecurity. Each of us has our ‘chinks in the armor,’ where we feel the most vulnerable and weak. As this is played out in our personality, we overcompensate. These insecurities force us to operate out of fear, ego, and false bravado. Over the course of Christian history, insecurity has probably destroyed more relationships, churches, and ministries than any other factor.
We must become secure in who we are.
It’s not a zero-sum game
During the cold war, Russia and the United States faced off in what historians and politicians dubbed a “zero-sum” game. Each side thought that any gain by the other had a negative affect on their nation. For example, when Russia or China decided to add Vietnam or Korea into their sphere of influence, the United States felt compelled to act to re-balance the scales.
To put it into a ministry context, success for your ministry or church doesn’t negatively impact my ministry or church. It doesn’t work like that in the Kingdom of God. A gain for your church (financially, size-wise, influence-wise) is a gain for THE church.
Our goal should be the increase of the gospel message, no matter by whom.
If we are secure in our calling and in our gifts, and linked together to help each other (as we should be), then a positive for you is a positive for the kingdom. And that’s what we want.
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. …For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 3:2-11
There is no power struggle
So why are there so many ministries, evangelists, programs, churches that feel that they have to compete with each other? Insecurity. Why do some leaders react with insulation rather than transparency? Insecurity The fear that something or someone will beat us at our own game…
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:17-20.
So denominations must learn how to find common ground. Local churches must work together to serve and reach people in their communities. Businesses and ministries must find ways to network & synergize, cooperate with like-minded organizations, and not develop a spirit of competition.
There’s enough to go around
We don’t need a bunker mentality as Christians. We need to be allies, not enemies–to cooperate wherever possible.
It’s not as if we will run out of people who need God’s love.
Your town has enough people in it fill dozens if not hundreds of churches.
There are dying, enslaved, starving people all over the world; all of them need your help.
If someone has “beat you to the punch” and started a ministry that is similar to your dream, don’t start a competing ministry, work for or partner with theirs.
So what should our response be?
We have to break this tradition. Our mantra must be
“What can I do for you to help you succeed?”
no matter what it means for our personal ego, our ministry bottom line, or church membership.
What tangible efforts are you or your organization doing to cooperate, not compete?