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Dietrich Bonhoeffer Challenges the Church to be Authentic
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community lists seven expressions of ministry by which a Christian community may judge itself. Are these expressions understood values within your fellowship? The list looks like a seven week series of sermons . . .
1. The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue--We can combat evil thoughts effectively if we refuse to allow them to be expressed in words.
2. The Ministry of Meekness--(Romans 12:3) Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.
3. The Ministry of Listening--The first service we owe to others in the fellowship is listening to them.
4. The Ministry of Active Helpfulness--No one is too good for the meanest labor. By helping one another do menial chores together, we cement our fellowship.
5. The Ministry of Bearing (Supporting)--Your brother or sister may be a burden to you. We are called to forbear--to put up with one another. Non-Christians sidestep irritants. We embrace even difficult people.
6. The Ministry of Proclaiming--Within the fellowship, we proclaim God’s word to one another. Proclamation isn’t just an ordained function; we all speak His word.
7. The Ministry of Authority (Leadership)--Genuine spiritual authority is to be found only when the ministry of hearing, helping, bearing and proclaiming is carried out. Leadership without these expressions poisons the Christian community.
Look for these marks in your own life, and consider offering them to your small groups leaders for discussions that center around ways to develop unity and community within your church body.
— Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, p. 91
Prospects are Everywhere and Often Ready to Help
Here's how it works. To every new person you meet, simply say, "I am in the ministry to help as many people as possible. Do you know anyone who needs a pastor to help them or pray with them?" In the conversation they will tell you about someone who needs help--be prepared to follow up on the leads they give you. And also be prepared for them to say, "I need someone myself."
One church planter set up a cold-drink stand outside the main door of a large condominium. Soon people were stopping to visit with him and tell him about friends who needed a pastor. Another served coffee outside the main entrance to a mall. The point is to get prospects to help you locate other prospects.
A Vision of Brokenness–Purifier of Ambition
Brokenness is that aspect of character that rightly understands who I am compared to the example of the life of Christ. Isaiah summarized it, when in response to his vision of the Holy God, he said, “Woe is me, I am undone.” People full of themselves can rarely point others to Christ effectively. A true understanding of our own humanity, fallibility, and fragility leaves us humble and broken, in appropriate ways.
How can I tell if I have a broken and contrite spirit? Ask yourself these questions, or consider sharing them with your leaders.
• Am I willing to let go of my dreams and ambitions if such is God’s will?
• Am I defensive when accused, criticized, or misunderstood?
• Am I coveting what others have instead of waiting for heaven’s rewards?
• Am I forgiving when offended, with or without apology?
• Am I complaining or arguing out of unsurrendered rights?
• Am I thinking of others first out of love?
• Am I proudly appearing that I am always right or know all the answers?
• Am I practicing the spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting, solitude, simplicity, and so on.)?
• Am I being silent regarding self-promotion and letting God do my public relations?
• Am I daily saying, “God, whatever it takes, I’m willing to submit to Your leadership”?
• Am I expressing joy in the difficulties, which serve to refine me?
• Am I taking risks out of obedience to Christ instead of giving into fear, pride, or denial?
The fruits of brokenness are humility, authenticity, integrity, and sensitivity. All of these qualities are desirable as a leader. Seven very common ways to spot a humble spirit:
1. Humility does not demand its own way.
2. Humility exudes an attitude of service (service is doing mundane things that help others).
3. Humility does not seek attention or credit.
4. Humility forgives when offended but is hard to offend.
5. Humility does not criticize others.
6. Humility produces a teachable spirit.
7. Humility is gracious and thankful. In fact, one of the most Godlike attributes we can express is a gracious spirit—a spirit of mercy and thanksgiving.
— E. Lebron Fairbanks, Leadership, MCS, p.147
Don’t Quit–Perseverance is the Way to Achievement
Hard as it seems, the way to victory is often by preserving--standing firm in an assignment until victory comes. There are few sources of encouragement for holding on long after others would have given up. That's the reason we offer this poem. If you are struggling with needing strength to stay put, try reading this poem three times each day for a week--once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening. The spiritual break though you have been asking the Lord to give you may be around the next corner.
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will.
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill.
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit.
Rest if you must but don’t you quit!
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out—
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the cloud of doubt.
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
— Author unknown |