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working toward a people focused church generation and not an event based church generation
Falling into the Comparison Trap
Julia Bettencourt
February 19, 2020
Comparison can sometimes be a good thing, because when we look at how someone else does something, we can learn from it. Maybe there are better ways to do things. Maybe others are more organized. Maybe there are rewards we are missing out on when we stay with our own agenda.
On the other hand, comparison can bring us to question everything we do. It can build up the wrong desires and ultimately can lead to jealousy and envy.
When it comes to comparing one ministry or church to another, we really have to be careful.
Every church budget isn't the same. Every church facility isn't the same size. Every church outreach doesn't have the same focus. Every church pastor, teacher, and worker aren’t the same. We all have to work with what is given to us. Some of the programs that big churches use just won't work in small churches and vice versa.Can we learn from each other? Yes! That doesn't mean we are all going to implement everything the same or make every event and activity the same. We have to cater to our own budget, facility, church size, members, community, and above all, God’s leading for our ministry in particular. It's so important as church leaders to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When it comes to preparing for events and activities, I think as long as you do things decently and in order, you are good. Make things clean and welcoming. That can be accomplished with not a lot of money, not a lot of workers, and not a lot of time.
We aren't doing things in ministry to please ourselves. We are doing it to honor and glorify the Lord. If we put our best effort forth, things aren't going to matter so much. How someone else or how another church does something won't even cross our minds. We will be thinking of people's hearts and souls and striving to glorify the Lord.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)
There isn’t anything wrong with striving to do better and accomplishing more, but we have to remember Who we are serving.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:24-25 (KJV)When we get caught up in the comparison game for church events, we won’t win. We will just feel inadequate, guilty, or lose focus.
Simply remember Who you are serving and don’t fall into that comparrison trap!
Copyright ©2020 Julia Bettencourt
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