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Are You A Low-Maintenance Church Member?
Author : Jennifer Hallmark
Things are good at my local church and at many across the country! The Church is starting to return to its first love and over the last months many local congregations have experienced growing pains. Hard economic times have driven many to find sanctuary in the church as well they should. People are being saved, filled with the Spirit, healed and restored!
Change is everywhere! Whoa...there is that word “change.” This word has been preached over and over at our church and around the country and this change is starting to become evident. My local church is changing and becoming the church we have been destined to become. The church must be willing to change and the change begins with each church member.
Are you a low-maintenance church member? What does that mean? In Webster’s dictionary the word maintain means to carry on or to keep in existence; to preserve in a desirable condition. We look for a low-maintenance car when we are out car shopping. This is one that requires a minimal amount of upkeep and care while running at a level of top performance. What do you require? Let’s look at some characteristics of a low-maintenance church member.
(1) They have a servant’s heart. These church members look for ways to be helpful but at the same time do not need a lot of recognition. They see jobs that need to be done and do them. They enjoy waiting on people and being a blessing to those in need.
(2) They have reached a balance in giving and receiving. Low-maintenance church members balance their giving and receiving. They are a servant, but can also receive when others are blessing them. If there is no balance, they will give so much without “filling” back up that they give out. Then they require “high” maintenance to be restored. A healthy understanding of being able to give and being able to receive will keep us low-maintenance and full of fresh oil.
(3) They can agree to disagree. When a church grows, people will occasionally disagree over areas of ministries, focus points, and different secondary issues. Major issues such as salvation, the resurrection, the Virgin birth, etc. cannot be debated. But on issues such as the color of the carpet, favorite method of witnessing, and dress code we can all have different thoughts. That is why we have a Pastor and pastoral staff to lead the Church with a God-given vision. Anyway, when we all get to heaven, the color of carpet really won’t matter.
(4) Their speech is always edifying and uplifting. Low-maintenance church members speak well of their Church, the leadership, and other members. They also speak well of their community in general and other neighboring churches. When they hear negative comments made, they act as a “buffer.” They don’t focus on the negative qualities people or the Church has, but always are quick to point out the positive! They do not complain or gossip! They speak blessings or not at all!
A servants heart. Balanced giving. Agreeable. Positive attitudes and words. These are 4 keys to being a low-maintenance church member. This kind of person can handle change and be a productive blessing in the body of Christ.
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments...” Psalm 133:1-2. NKJV
What kind of church member are you?
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www.jenniferhallmark.com
www.aclarioncall.com
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