Fill Dirt: Wanted

We've all seen the signs as we've travelled down roads of all kinds...

"Fill dirt wanted"

Something clicked as I passed another one of these yesterday, that while yes, "fill dirt" does serve a purpose, my initial reaction, was that nobody really likes to be considered as "filler". Organizationally-speaking, nobody really gets excited about being there, just for the sake of being there. Whether it be simply to say that a position is filled, or to have the appearance that there are more people and more activity than what is actually going on, it really is a disservice to the organization and the person to simply be occupying a space or a position.

It's almost (or so it seems) that an organization doesn't have an accurate assessment is what is needed, who should be where, what they should be doing... with a defined sense of purpose, for the position and the person who holds it. In any environment, this is troubling and potentially disastrous... all the more, for ministries and churches who are often struggling with budgetary issues and are in need of capable people.

There's been huge move of understanding, probably due in part to the book, "Unqualified", that God doesn't call the qualified, but qualifies the called. While this is very true, that we shouldn't look at ourselves and think God can't use anybody to accomplish His work, we also shouldn't misunderstand this line to mean that the church should simply hire any one to do a job, that they wouldn't stand a chance of getting elsewhere in the marketplace. That's a "filler" mentality.

But like anything, it is a balance... a delicate one, at that.

So... would you pray with me, this #deaconThursday, that pastors and church leaders would be granted wisdom and clarity as they lead staff and volunteers. May God help them place and utilize those who are willing to serve, yes; but also to locate those who have skills and abilities that God has given for the purpose of helping the church be more effective and efficient in their ministry efforts. Across the board, may their be a renewed sense of purpose and value; that one is not simply taking up space in their organization. If they truly are, may there be a grace over the ensuing conversation; that God would give direction as to how such situations should be resolved.

May the church not stand in it's own way
Through inaccurate assessments and evaluations of their organization.
God sovereignly place whom you will use
For the effective ministry of the Gospel of Christ
To be used to the fullest for the glory of God.

- PNC

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