Note from author: Upon re-reading this post, I'm struck with how poorly it is written. If poor writing offends you, please stop reading. Thanks.
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So I was reading 1 Corinthians chapter 3 this morning and a new question hit me. (Don't you love it when you are reading something you have read a couple of dozen times and something new pops out at you?)
Now, be prepared, this is not profound. It's embarrassingly obvious. I'm sure that most of you have seen this in this passage before (this really IS a job for "Captain Obvious!")... but in all honestly, I don't think I have thought of this much before (although I have a similar note written in my bible, so it is not a new thought, but it hit me harder this morning).
Question: Who do you follow?
What identity do you get from being associated that person? What is their role in your life?
This all came from chapter 3:21: "No more boasting about people! All things are yours..."
My job being what it is, I get a lot of people who want to meet with me. Most of the time, they really don't need theological insight or seminary level training.... they really need someone to listen, reflect back to them, and challenge them to come up with options. And, I believe this is certainly less so at Central than some other congregations, but there is something about meeting with "the pastor" that just makes people feel important.
I had two separate conversations last week about campus ministries, one with a student and another with a former student. They were saying how there is an obvious pecking order in campus ministries. It is a big deal who you are being "discipled by" in terms of their "rank" in the ministry. "Wow, I'm being discipled by ___________ -- the ministry leader!"
And what this passage as a whole is saying is, "Rubbish!" (And for those of you who know Greek, or have heard me teach on that word, you know what I'm saying.)
This passage is saying that this is very destructive and produces division in the church.
And division is, according to scripture... very, very, very bad.
(A quick aside: in most churches, if you describe someone as "worldly," what does that mean? If you read this chapter, how does Paul define someone who is "worldly and immature?")
Paul says that the important thing is not a relationship with (seemingly) powerful people, but a connection with Christ. That in Christ, we have all the identity we need.
Now, this does not mean we don't need pastors, ministry leaders, etc (at least I hope this is not what this means). And it does not mean that those people are not due certain honor or hearing because of their position (this concept is also biblical and is often overlooked in our attempt to be against the "institutional church" -- whatever the rubbish that is..). But it does mean that I should not get my identity simply because I'm associated with a certain person.
Wow. I do that. If you peel back my public life and peer into my darkness, I sometimes struggle with this very thing. Mind you, I'm MUCH better at this now than 10 years ago. In my better moments, I'm even above this... repelled by this. But isn't this a temptation for us? To get identity from our association with others? Our standing?
There is more to this... but I want to know if this hits a nerve... so I will stop here for now.
Reflections of a Journeying Blogger
6 comments:
coming from small town America, i think this is most definitely true - who you know on a personal level affects your standing in the community. Thanks for the rubbish reminder... and i enjoyed the "poor writing!"
I understand what you mean about 3:21, but it's 3:18 that's most difficult for me and at the same time what I know I so desperately need to learn.
I was just talking about this idea yesterday, how interesting... how so many people are willing to turn their responsibilities and decision-making capabilities over to others on the principle of "following" the right people.
Of course we all do this from time to time... but what got me started was being fascinated by the cult followings of a certain "expert." I read on one of my e-mail lists yesterday from a woman who was talking about how much so-and-so had taught her, not only about his topic of supposed expertise, but her own life, how to find balance, love others, make friends, connect her energies, budget her money, achieve world peace, etc., etc. etc.
I thought, "Wow! This 'expert' has never even met this woman, probably never thinks of his impact beyond what keeps his TV shows/cash flow coming -- and probably hires someone else to think about that stuff." Yet she, like we all do from time to time, was content -- even happy -- to make herself his disciple.
And we think folks who join cults are weird....
So many things! This hits on so many different chords for me. Finding my identity in Christ has been a long and unexpected journey for me. I value people so much in my life, that I start to follow them instead of God.
Even the whole discipleship stuff... it was so hard for me in college and I am not sure that I resolved it.
I have so many things that I want to say, but talking is not half as good as going and reading that and listening. Thank you Paul. Simple is what I needed to hear today. The reminder to pick up that book and re-read was needed.
interesting post. to be honest, this whole "disciple" model and/or feeling important because you're "in" with someone in charge isn't something i entirely understand. in fact, i'd rather not brag about any association with someone who holds "power"...
although i'm sure if i think about it i'd find that i am attracted to power just as much as anyone else, even if it doesn't look exactly like what you've written about.
"Wow, I'm being discipled by ___________ -- the ministry leader!"
I said that.
I remember calling a few people when I found out who I was going to be discipled by sophomore year.
I know that I have developed a social identity within campus ministry because of my new association with Central and Good Works. I am following a different type of ministry than I used to and that might give me an identity of someone who isn't loyal or the opposite, someone who is only loyal to his calling. The way someone sees changes especially when it comes to changing ministries seems to be a good indicator of where their values lie. Whether they value loyalty to the team or to Jesus.
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