1. Assumption, the First Rule of Ministry Failure.
(Responsible for 46% of ministry failure)
Defined: taking to or upon oneself, the act of unauthorized
laying claim to or taking possession of power or authority. (an arrogant
pretension).
When authorized authority fails to communicate delegated
perimeters of the power to act or enact, the authorized perimeters will
be presupposed. Individuals will move beyond required perimeters to
take matters into their own hands.
2. Unpredictability, the Second Rule of Failure.
(Responsible for 31% of ministry failure)
Defined: the inability to reason or come to a practical
conclusion by observation or evaluation, what is common, expected or
normal
Ministries that consistently change policy, projects
or programs, often frustrate those who serve them to the point of discouragement,
because of the disregard for the heart felt labor of the saints. Remember
those who serve us in ministry, do so because they love the Lord. Often
we don't pay them. One’s reward is the opportunity to be used and
serve the Lord and experience the fruitfulness of that labor, in the
same manner we do in ministry. When a leader takes for granted the hard
heart felt labor of those who serve them, it sends a message that we
don't respect them nor think much of what they have invested in service
to the Lord.
3. Instability, the Third Rule of Failure.
(Responsible for 11% of ministry failure)
Defined: The state of being unstable. unestablished, unfixed, unsettled,
state of confusion and continual change or fluctuating, varying, unresolved
purpose or resolution, unable to resist vulnerability. Characterized
by: Division, dissension, lack of discipline, lack of honesty, integrity,
or direction. .
4. Disrespect, the Fourth Rule of Failure.
(Responsible for 9% of ministry failure)
The word respect is defined: the act of giving particular
attention and consideration, to hold in high or special regard, to esteem,
to consider worthy of high honor.
Disrespect is defined: to hold one as valueless,
unworthy of respect, an attitude of disregard or contempt toward the
feelings or needs of another. Characterized by: disregard to the personal
perimeters to feel safe, .
Scripture defines respect as the right to decide
certain matters within the perimeters of God ordained privilege. So.....
1. Respect individual boundaries,
2. Respect family boundaries
3. Respect pastoral boundaries. Never rebuke pastoral staff or leadership
openly.
4. Respect organizational boundaries
Respect authority boundaries, Don’t put your
two cents where it does not belong. Respect those in authority.
5. Respect sexual boundaries. Do not knowingly
set yourself into compromising situations.
6. Respect one another’s character
The God who is wiser than all, has created each
individual into a unique personality. Some characters complement the
other, some cause others to feel uneasy. 1 Corinthians 12:22-25
7. Respect the gift of others
Each individual in the Body of Christ has a different
gift 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 A diversity of calling, gifting, and ministry,
but the scripture says God is in them all.
8. Respect standing policies
Policies are to ensure order and respect and a safe
environment for all who labor or become recipients of ministry. They
close the door to potential accidents, lawsuits and of course the enemy.
9. Respect each other’s boundaries
Each individual measures safety in reference to
different life experiences. A ministry may find it necessary to create
policies to further assure a safe environment. Unfortunately not every
ministry is able to operate within everyone’s need, so it is necessary
that those who are candidates for ministry be willing to serve within
the ministry’s ability to provide for personal respect. An individual
should not impose their ideals on everyone. Yet still feel safe within
the working environment.
10. Respect issues of privacy Don't be a busybody.
When an individual has an issue with another, its
their issue, not your issue. Nor is matter open to discussion how others
think about it. Don't add your 2 cents to a disagreement because you
are in ears distance.