June 15, 2009
Last Thursday we wrapped up the Ministry:Online conference and I have to say that it was absolutely amazing. I don’t think I could ever have learned so much about utilizing social media in ministry had I not listened so intently. I have such a different outlook on our online ministries now and how to execute them effectively. Wow. What a conference!
Amy S and I did our session last and when we opened it up for q&a; I received some very surprising questions that had to do with competition in ministry. The two questions came from two different attendees and then I received a third question, in the form of an email, from another attendee who said that she too deals with the “competitive” spirit. I have a hard time wrapping my brain around that. I’m not sure if God has just given me grace in this area or if I’m misunderstanding what is meant by “competition”. Let me offer my take on this subject.
When I think of competition I think of a race or sport that has winners and losers. In God’s kingdom, the winners are those who submit themselves to the Lord and the bible says the greatest will be least and the least will be the greatest. AND… if I, the one with the online ministry, is declared winner then who is the loser and what does that mean? More importantly what is it that is being won? This isn’t a popularity contest and the only thing we should be competing against is time. We only have so long to spread the gospel and win hearts for Christ and according to 1 Corinthians 3:1 we are to do it together. Go read that chapter. If a soul comes to Christ because of anyone’s ministry then it is a win for the body, the team!
I guess I can also attribute my non-competitiveness to the amazing church that I serve and worship with. My pastor, Dino Rizzo, has been an wonderful example of how to unite the body of Christ and serve together for the greater cause. He partners with other churches around the globe and teaches often on unity and how competition is a disservice to the character of God. He also wrote a book entitled Servolution which is based on the acts of love and service our church has been doing for years.
On another note, could this competitive spirit be confused with insecurity or envy? I have often wished I could be as funny as Antique Mommy or as spiritual as Lysa TerKeurst but God always reminds me that He made me unique and with a different set of gits for my calling. It doesn’t mean that I don’t occassionally feel the green monster creeping up when I read that Boo Mama got to go on another Compassion trip but then I just quickly repent and feel God release me from that so I am able to rejoice because more children were shown love. And yes, I would love to get dozens of comments like other bloggers. I mean, don’t we all want more feedback? Of course we do but I’ve learned that I have to (there is an action involved in this one) demand that my thoughts line up with the word of God and He reminds me that it is all about serving the one and that pleases Him.
You see, the bottom line is that competition is self serving and prideful. Competition in ministry means we want to win souls to add another notch to our bible and not to further the kingdom of God. That can’t be, folks. We have to work together. Can we work together and promote each other?
Let’s unite, shall we?
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Love this post and love what Lisa just said!!
Sue
Great post and definitely a subject that needs to be called out.
I agree with all who said it goes back to a woman's tendency to compare her 'performance' with someone else's. If we can't do something biggest and best, we either a) consider quitting or b) develop a rebellious/envious spirit towards the one who seems to be in that position.
I'm reminded of my favorite, favorite scripture on the subject. Moses is in the wilderness and others in the camp have begun to prophesy. And then: "Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses' aide since youth, spoke up and said, "Moses, my lord, stop them! But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" (Numbers 11)
In my estimation, with all the lost souls in this world and those who need discipling, it's going to take ALL OF US pouring it out to the uttermost to spread God's fame.
Okay. I'm done.
Amy — I think you really nailed it — it's much more about envy than it's about competition.
I've dealt with that and I still deal with it, but I constantly ask the Lord to release me of the envy and allow me to embrace the ministry He has called me to.
I also LOVE to serve alongside my sisters in the faith — what a joy and a blessing to serve God as part of a team.
Thank you for your work and your heart! I'm honored to know you.
Great post!
Luke, I think the reason we tend to forget that is because we think it's all about us. But it really isn't about us at all.
TeriLynneU, I read one time an author say "Keep your eyes on Jesus and right living happens" When we put our eyes on other's accomplishments, we tend to forget what God's goal for us, as individuals, is. We really don't need to worry about the success of others. Only God knows the true and genuine outcome of everything we do and all our righteousness is filthy rags anyway.
We really have nothing to bring to the table. We just need to decrease so Christ can increase. It's not about us, it's about Christ. When we can keep that understanding and remain humble, then competition won't sneak in and cause us to stumble.
Good points Kristen, I see competition in modern churches today and so many of God's children end up hurt.
That kind of competition comes from that Ol' enemy himself. He tried to compete with God and took a third of the angels with him. Much like a church/ministry split now a days.
The more people who love God, the more the enemy seeks to destroy that by pining for our attention. I see this when people leave one fellowship and decide to go to another one. Same happens in online ministries. The leaders end up fighting, much like when children get in the cross fire of parents who divorce.
Paul had a ministry split with another Apostle and the contention was sharp between them. They had to part ways. But we don't see them bothering each other after that. They just continued forward for the Lord, just in different directions. Both pairs of Apostles helped God's people.
Yes competition is an ugly dirty thing. Too bad people can't learn how to make sincere apologies anymore. It makes forgiveness rather difficult sometimes.
Very true Karin. I mean why in the world would believers get competitive against each other, over each other? We need to go forward. When we stop and face each other with squabbling, people get hurt and the enemy wins.
How true. Its easy to feel the green eyed monster pop up. What I learned in a Beth Moore bible study is that its usually about something you have going on inside you and not really what has you worked up.
I think its the devil's way to take good well meaning Christians and their sincere acts and turn it around on themselves. To let pride and ego get in the way of His work.
Its just something to be aware of and it could happen to anyone.
I like the part where we remember that we are all on the same team. No matter what position we play.
I'm not quite sure what to say about this Amy. So perhaps some words of wisdom on how to handle that competitive spirit of envy?
My daughter had a interesting comment to me after reading this article you posted. She said, this, "I wonder if the Old Testament Prophets would thrash into the New Testament Apostles for quoting them or using similar ways to reach people for Christ?"
I agree that you're right about the goal being winning souls, yet Jesus is the ultimate teacher in that, so anyone who uses His example to help further His kingdom would be a good thing right?
I have seen many 'churches' and ministries attempt different methods and use various gifts for helping the Body as a whole. And in this World Wide Web of BILLIONS of users wouldn't it be pointless to become competitive and lash out at others if their method resembles theirs?
I mean look at how many blogs there are and how many Ning sites are in existence today. Competition..hmmm and yet how to handle a fellow Brethren over such things… lots to ponder in this one sister. Ultimately we want to see others come to love Our Great and Mighty King in a more intimate way, but certainly not hurt a brethren over it.
Yes, shedding that 1st place mentality is a good thing. Being puffed up isn't love.
I am reminded of a situation I was in recently when we left the 'church' we were at for 14 1/2 years. When one of the leaders threatened us and told us NOT to talk to HIS members anymore since we are leaving. Like he has the right to lord over God's heritage and demand that we not talk to them? He was trying to block us from our friendships, and block them from us. Threatening us! Not too Christ like, but certainly was that competitive spirit. Much like we have seen on the net over these years eh? Leaves a lot of people quite hurt, rather than uplifted to Christ our Lord.
Good topic Amy.
Oh boy, doesn't this even cross over into our home life and community. Excellent post, Amy and very well said! I think you put into words what is in many people's minds, whether they realize it or not.
I think a lot of it has to do with insecurity over our own effectiveness. It can be hard to feel like you're actually accomplishing what God has called you to do when you see someone do it bigger and better! But last week at the conference the whole idea of our callings being uniquely ours, no matter how similar to another they are, really hit home for me. God calls each and every one of us to do our thing in the way only we can do it! And if we are truly surrendering to that calling, it won't matter if someone else IS doing it better or bigger, because we are exactly where God has called us to be. I count it a blessing to be among such amazing women, working together to share Jesus with the world!
you know it's the first time I heard about ministry competition or even thought about it.. thanks for shedding light on that, and I pray that we all do it for "HIS GLORY" and not our own.
Unity, love, and support for each other? Please! Yes! Amen!
And you make an excellent point: We're all on the same team; how do we so often forget that?
~Luke
I believe this is a huge issue for many – including myself, at times. The struggle for me is striving for excellence without getting bogged down in competition. I wish I could say that I'm not at all envious of others and their success but that would most certainly be untrue. But, I trust that God is using me and I learn from the success of others and seek to make certain that I am doing all for His sake not my own.
Competition in ministry never crossed my mind. Maybe because I'm just starting out and don't know a lot of the ins and outs.
I pray blessings on all women in ministry that are truly doing God's work and walking out His perfect plan.
"demand that my thoughts line up with the Word of God"
That's the crux of it!
Excellent post!
Very well said Amy! I think we might tend to forget the 'together' part, I could if I didn't stay focused on Christ and the prize before me. In 'Contagious Christian' we are referred to as links in the chain. There are many links in the chain to one salvation, yes, there is one beginning and one end, but there has got to be many links in between to get to the end, ultimately salvation. I count it pure joy if I am a middle link and get to know it!
FABULOUS!! Thank you so much for this my friend. I've been working on a similar post for some time and just couldn't get the words…I think that so often that competitive spirit does come from envy and pride and feelings of insecurity—from people pleasing too…I guess that is all a part of it.
You are so correct to encourage unity…as women, as moms and most importantly as servants of Christ.
I wonder what would happen if we shed that "first place" mentality and just did what He is calling us to do?"
Amen, Kristen! Amen!
I remember an email I got a while back from a women's ministry that was asking to be featured in an upcoming Exemplify issue. Timidly this person asked "if it would be okay since our ministries had something that was very similar in the works". Honestly, I was a little stumped by the question because I thought OF COURSE IT IS OKAY!
I answered this person right back and said, "Girlfriend, we are all out with one intention: glorify God & I for one am not going to let anything get in that way of that. It would be a pleasure to feature you!"
Competition has no place in ministry because it causes us to focus on ourselves. This is something I will definitely be praying about for all of us who are called to minister online and in church settings.
I wonder what would happen if we shed that "first place" mentality and just did what He is calling us to do?