Faith Dilemmas for Marketplace Christians
More Than Money
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.
—1 Peter 4:10
IN his book Liberating the Laity, Paul Stevens notes that many churches fail to use the gifts of their laypeople. He describes these as the “frozen assets” of the church. Many churches have lost the art of discerning gifts. Professional ministers increasingly are paid to do the work of ministry.
As a result, highly capable members remain inactive because they are too shy or insecure to try exercising their gifts. Does your congregation coax out and nurture the gifts of its members? Or do you have a vast treasure buried in ice?
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Vic was getting restless. The church business meeting had already gone on for two hours, and Vic had been sitting in what he called a “one-hour chair.” But they were nearing the end. It was time for nominations for the annual election of committees.
It took a while to fill the slates for the Christian education, worship planning, and outreach committees. Then came the last one, a new subcommittee of the Board of Trustees that would raise funds for an elevator to make the facilities more accessible for the elderly. The elevator itself wasn’t so expensive, but making the necessary modifications to the building would cost $200,000.
Vic squirmed as eyes turned on him. Of course he would be nominated. He was always nominated to every committee that had anything to do with money. As a businessperson, it was expected that his keen sense of financial matters and procedures would be needed.
Vic was always willing to help out. But why did people think his only gift was keeping track of money?
Every year he rehashed the same old arguments in his mind. I use much more than money in my business. I use material resources, human resources, time, and technology. I don’t produce only money. I also produce employment and opportunities for creativity. I know something about focusing activities toward a desired goal. I know how to plan, motivate, correct, and discern abilities and strengths in people.
He sometimes wondered what would happen if he were put in charge of helping church staff plan ahead for their lives. Could he spend time with young adults who were searching for vocational direction? Could he talk with people who were unhappy in their work and help them understand their abilities as well as their limitations? Could he help other church boards become more innovative in their ministries? Could he offer some fresh insights to the worship planners?
Once or twice he had timidly suggested some of these things, but nothing had developed.
Vic also wondered why no one in church ever asked his opinion about spiritual matters. After all, he had minored in Bible at college. He subscribed to religious periodicals and read several books on theology every year.
The regional manufacturers association frequently asked him to address their meetings, so he couldn’t be all that bad as a public speaker. Other lay people got to preach sometimes. Why not him?
Every year Vic pondered all these things. And every year he ended up on the same boards and committees.
He sighed. Any minute now he would be nominated.
Questions to ponder and discuss
1. Is Vic’s situation unusual? Are businessfolk in your congregation encouraged to participate beyond a “money” role? If not, why?
2. How far should Vic go in promoting himself for new forms of participation? Should he take the bull by the horns and campaign for a different role?
3. How does your congregation discern the gifts of its members? Does it assume “the cream will rise to the top” or actively find ways for members to expand their involvements?
Additional Scripture
See also 1 Corinthians 12; 7:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; 1 Timothy 4:12-14; Romans 12:3-8.