Commitment

A subscriber to my emails asked for my thoughts about commitment in ministry. It's a big topic, so i took a while to think about it. Three points came to mind

1) Commitment is a key to experiencing God's presence

In Psalm 15, we see what God looks for in a person who lives in God's presence. In other words, this is a person God is comfortable having near him; God enjoys this person's company!

Psalm 15 (NIV): LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

"Who keeps his oath even when it hurts" is the best definition of commitment I can think of. It is when it hurts that you see how committed someone is. Sometimes the hurt is not even actual pain but boredom. Are you the sort of person who chooses to exercise daily, who chooses to eat and drink healthily, who feeds your spirit and mind with the word of God, even when it gets boring?

One thing that worries me is how few people can endure boredom. Growing in knowledge and skills (including music and singing skill) means sticking with something even when it is boring. Serving in ministry may not always be exciting and fresh. Are you willing to make your decisions (gaining new skills, serving God, taking good care of your physical health) a habit?

That is when you start to enjoy the benefits of commitment!

2) Commit only what you are willing to commit

One reason some people break their commitments is because they are too ambitious when they start. For example, if you are just starting to learn the guitar, committing yourself to practicing for an hour a day is not too smart, because many people take time for their fingers to get used to the guitar. If you are new to exercising, doing an hour a day of intense gym work is not wise.

When I start something, I start with what I know I can do the day after tomorrow. So if I am starting a new exercise, I take it easy on the first day, keep it up the second day and see if I can add a bit more on the third. Doing it like this helps to make it a habit.

When it comes to ministry, be very clear about how much time and effort you are able to commit. Do not let the needs of others compel you into doing more than you are willing to do.

2 Cor 9:6-8 (NIV) – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

The above passage talks about money. We see God's heart in this area, that he wants our giving to be generous and cheerful. He does NOT want it to be grudging or forced. If we give money cheerfully, we enjoy the benefits of giving, having all that we need and abounding in good works.

I personally take that as a principle and apply it to time and effort. Give as much time and effort as you are cheerful to give. The needs of God's house will ALWAYS be great, because many people who are supposed to serve either do not want to or are unable to serve effectively. And that means that there is a heavier burden on us who are serving.

If you let that need and burden drive and compel you to serve more than you are cheerful to serve, you will burn out and get bitter sooner or later. Don't let that happen to you!

3) Honour the commitment you receive

One big problem with commitment is that it is so unassuming. When a server keeps turning up week after week after week, he or she usually fades into the background in many people's eyes. We tend to take that person for granted, and pay attention to that server only when things go wrong!

Don't do that.

It's easy to forget the good someone has done when things go wrong. After a worship session that went badly, for example, it's easy to blame the drummer that played too slow so he could do the synocopated kick-drum pattern you hated. It's not easy to remember that this drummer served faithfully even through the past few worship ministry crisis, when everyone else quit and he didn't.

That's why you MUST make yourself remember. Especially if you are a leader in your ministry. When you serve alongside the same people week after week, you have more chances for conflicts, disagreements and misunderstandings to happen. As you deal with them, remember that you are trying to resolve problems with someone you can count on, who has proven himself or herself faithful, and is therefore honoured in God's eyes because of that.

Romans 12:7 (NIV) – Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.

Conclusion:

In this post we have looked at the importance of commitment, how much commitment to give and how to receive it. Out of these three areas, which challenges you the most? Pray about it!