Proverbs 10:17 (NIV)
17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
If you want to give your church a real headache then here is some very useful advice:
Be governed by your emotions. Do only those things you feel like doing. And if there are things you really like doing but don’t feel like doing them at the moment, procrastinate. A very good catch phrase is: “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” How can a person do anything wholeheartedly unless they really feel like doing that particular chore?
Some well-meaning folk may try to counsel you with the thought that feelings frequently follow action, but don’t let yourself be deceived by that one. You are in a position to lead your people astray if you will just ignore such busybodies and their unwelcome advice. This concept of discipline contains such uncomfortable ideas as doing tasks that need to be done when they need to be done whether we feel like it or not. Even the thought is appalling!
You may hear talk of ‘second mile service,’ that is, doing what you are required to do, and then doing even more of your own free will! Do not get sucked in. Rebekah has a lot to answer for (Genesis 24:15-21); and when Jesus talked about the ‘second mile,’ we know He was referring to conditions of His day and the statement has nothing whatever to do with us. You may even hear people like Zig Ziglar come up with smart little sayings: “There are no traffic jams on the second mile,” but do not be taken in by such sentiments. If you start doing more than is expected of you before long others in the church will follow your lead and, provided you are all doing something productive (it’s always good to know exactly what should be done rather than simply working for the sake of being busy), the headaches and confusion will disappear and even the unchurched will be wanting a piece of the action.
When the leaders ignore discipline and live by their feelings the people become confused. They are continually being ‘wrong-footed’ by the leaders. They become discouraged simply because they are unsure that what they are applying themselves to at this moment will be required at all. So they give up. They become reluctant to get involved in any kind of service because their leaders may feel different tomorrow. They need to know the tasks they are doing are meaningful.
That’s why the Natural Church Development survey asks questions like these:
Q8. It is my experience that God obviously uses my work for building the church.
Q16. I know what value my work has in the overall work of our church.
Q26. I feel that my church supports me in my ministry.