I received an email this week from a man stating that he and his wife were in need of some counseling and advice. He went on to say, however, that they were having trouble “gaining access to the leaders” at their own church and would I be able to direct them to some other resources.
My stomach dropped. I re-read the sentence 3 times for fear that I had read it incorrectly.
Trouble gaining access? How can this be? How is this happening within the church?
There is no door marked “leaders only.” There is no secret club of the “qualified,” no spiritual speakeasy.
The anger I felt while reading this email was palpable. Yet, I believe it angers the Lord even more to know that His people are daily made to feel that they have no power, authority, or place in the Body. To know that the people of God are made to feel ineffective, useless, and weak by other members of the Body.
There’s the rub and it is tragic.
And it is this convuluted warped thinking that enrages me almost more than anything within the church–the twisted lies we believe (often because of those in leadership) that tell us we cannot serve, cannot give, cannot impact the Kingdom, because we don’t wear the title of “leader,” or “pastor,” or carry a degree from the nearby seminary.
I’ve written this before, but I feel compelled to write it again:
You don’t need a degree or a certificate. You don’t need 3 years of off-site training or a letter from your pastor. You don’t need to attend seminars or conferences, write a book, or run a ministry.
You have everything you need.
His name is the Holy Spirit.
And it is Him, not man, that makes you approved, called, qualified, chosen, ready, equipped, sent, and full of power.
So, if you woke up today feeling powerless or desperately wanting to be used by God, know that you have everything you need. Ask of your Father. Forget what “they” have told you is or isn’t possible. The Creator of the Universe lives in you. He calls you home.
If you truly believe this, you cannot fear man. You can only set forth to please God.
Go.
Disclaimer: No, I do not know every detail abou this couple or their church. I do not know their pastor or the specifics regarding their need for counseling. Yes, I admit that there are two sides to every story and in no way am I trying to bad mouth a specific church. All that to say, this particular email struck a nerve with me and led me to write this post.
