Stepping Out

I've been thinking lately about ministry and using our gifts in the church. Recently I was looking for someone to teach the children's lesson during the worship service. There are several people in my church who have repeatedly shown a gift of relating to children and speaking the faith language at a level they can understand. Yet when I tapped a few of these shoulders they all refused, saying they just were not comfortable being in front of the congregation. This seems to be the "broken record" response to shoulder tapping in my church when it comes to serving during a worship service, and even in the larger life of the church. Thus the same small group of people get stuck doing everything all the time.

Now, I understand that not all people in the church are called to serve in this way. This is not meant to be a guilt trip for anyone who has ever responded with a polite "no, thanks". If everyone was leading worship, there wouldn't be anyone to lead. Yet why do people always balk at the thought of "being up front"? Public speaking is the most common fear. Why? Why are people who have such wonderful gifts so afraid to share them with the church? Is the problem in the heart of the individual, or is it in the heart of the church? When someone is willing to lead worship, or teach a children's lesson, or even preach, are they met with sincere encouragement or criticism?

I'm thinking that the problem is not just in the anxiety of the individual. There is also a problem in the openness and encouragement (or lack of) they are met with. The church needs to be a place that is safe for people to explore their gifts. The church as a whole (not just the pastor) needs to encourage and inspire the individual. The church also needs to call the people to step out of their comfort zone, to stretch their limits, and find what God is calling them to become. The church should be a place where people can openly practice and develop their gifts.

Many people in the church do not find those things. Yet I have. I remember when I was younger and did something during the worship service, even if it was just playing piano during prelude, I could almost always expect to find a note from our pastor thanking me and encouraging me to continue using my gifts. I'm not sure I would still be as involved in the church as I am today if it had not been for those nudges to keep pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. I grew up in a family who has always been involved in the life of the church and I was always offered opportunities to serve. It was through these experiences that I began taking steps outside of where I was comfortable. That circle has become larger and larger, and I have gone places and grown in ways I would have never imagined. I never imagined that I would go to school to study ministry and become so passionate about the church and faith. I never imagined that I would lead worship or preach or teach Sunday School. Yesterday I shared with my church family the next step in my journey- seminary and master's study at AMBS. Even two years ago I would not have seriously considered going to seminary. The dreams I dream today never even entered my imagination. But it has been during those times when I have willing stepped out into the unknown and have done things that scared me or made me nervous that I have experienced God most closely. And, even though I would have never imagined becoming what I am today, I can't imagine being anything else. And I attribute much of this to the support that I have received from my church family. But I don't feel that it is the same for everyone. As my church has gone through a couple pastoral transitions in the past several years, I'm afraid that this source has become somewhat lost. There are three key things that need to be in place in the church- a call to the individual to "step out fo the boat", opportunities to safely find, practice and develope gifts, and sincere support and encouragement along the journey. What can the church do to build a culture of call? How can the church journey with people as they dream and imagine and become the people God is creating them to be?