Church Leadership

Velleity
I saw a word the other day that really bugged me. I think it’s because I see how it could creep into our culture as a church.

Velleity- a wish or inclination not strong enough to lead to action

One of my greatest fears is that we allow velleity to be at play in our volunteer culture. I think it’s an easy road to get on. It’s easy to enjoy what we do, but not allow that to compel us to action.
I think we could easily morph into a country club culture. We love coming and hanging out with our friends. BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT THE CHURCH IS! We are the medium God has chosen to use to influence the world for His sake. Sure we love each other and enjoy the company, but that is only a by-product.
Let me give you some real life examples of velleity: 
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to show up on time.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to contribute.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to go out of my way to help somebody else.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to give my hard earned money to it.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to invite anybody.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to get out of my comfort zone and talk to people I don’t know.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to be engaged in the experience.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not doing anything I don’t want to do.
  • I love the church BUT I’m not going to put in extra effort. That’s the pastors job.
I honestly believe we will never reach our full potential unless passion that leads to action is the dominant mentality of the majority. There is a term called critical mass. It basically means that once a significant portion of a group is on the same page then momentum, change and velocity is achievable.
You’ve got the right (ryyyee-eee-iii-eee-ite) to say no… to velleity.
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Dealing With Failure

People process negative situations differently. We have diverse responses to adversity. However, there should be one thing we have in common:

We should all maintain the right perspective in the face of failure.  

Our understanding of struggles will appropriate our response to them. Our comprehension of seasons and issues that cause difficulty as temporal in light of eternity will help us keep on mission. We can get knocked down, but because we have purpose we get up. We can get detoured by circumstances, but because we know where we are going we get back on track. 

This is something that is personal for me. I have a tendency to internalize mistakes and shortcomings. I would be well-served to drink my own Kool-Aid when it comes to this.

We can do one of two things when it comes to dealing with failure. We can allow it to beat us down and weigh on us way longer than it should or we can get up off the ground, knock the dust off and get back to living the full, real life we were intended to live in Christ.

The appealing option is clear. The choice is ours. Let’s make the God-honoring choice of keeping our eyes on Him.