Is it a Sin to be Average?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, February 18, 2009
- Viewed 54
- (4) comments so far
The problem was that, like many leaders, I believed there was something seriously wrong with low-drive Christians. I tended to project my own passion and calling onto everyone else. Since I’d heard my call so clearly, I assumed anyone who didn’t share the same vision and fervor must not be listening to what God had to say.
But then he brought two remarkable people into my life. They weren’t remarkable for what they accomplished; they were remarkable for who they were.
Both were as godly in character as anyone I’ve ever met, but neither one had a leadership bone in them. When it came time to charge the hill, they opted to serve on the supply line. When I called on people to step out and do something daring, they smiled and politely demurred. And they weren’t much for “spiritual disciplines” either. They couldn’t point to a lot of kingdom accomplishments.
But when it came to obeying scripture their character, relationships, and integrity, they were two of the most Christlike people I’d ever met.
Frankly, I didn’t know what to do with them.
You can read more here at CatalystSpace...
So… do you consider yourself ‘average’?
Larry Osborne writes in the newest edition of Catalyst Monthly: As a young pastor I had the idea that God calls every Christian to do great things. My faith heroes were all mountain-moving, charge-the-hill spiritual warriors. I assumed full submission to Jesus would transform anyone into a spiritual Braveheart; kicking-butt for Jesus and marshalling a battalion of others to do the same.
It sounded good. It was motivational. It was pure baloney.
Worse, it was spiritually dangerous. Not just for me, but for my flock. It filled me and the rest of our leaders with pride. It overwhelmed my congregation and non-leader types with unrealistic and unreachable standards of spirituality. And, I'm pretty sure, it ticked God off...
Comments
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CS on Wed, February 18, 2009
“So… do you consider yourself ‘average’?”
No. I know I am not, “average,” in any sense of the word. But, that does not mean that people who show the love of Christ in ordinary ways, such as my wife who cares for our children, maintains our home, and supports me in my endeavors, will receive any less rewards in Heaven. In fact, it is many, “average,” people who do more for the Kingdom than many of the exceptional in Christianity, sometimes.
I agree with the author that this mentality of needing to be extraordinary is, “pure baloney.”
—
CS
Jan on Wed, February 18, 2009
I don’t think all are called to leadership and the use of the term “average” is how he’s classifying the non leader??
All leaders need followers or they aren’t leaders! But I woudn’t call a follower average.
I don’t think I would call anyone who has a passion and heart for the work of God average, even if they are a custodian or work in the nursery or whatever. If they are serving God in support of the ministry and the work of God, they are definitely not average in the scheme of things.
Am I average? So that said, definitely not!
Am I a leader, yup. I definitely have always had a bit more drive, passion and vision than the majority. And sometimes that has translated into “freak” in some Christian circles http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Paul Steinbrueck on Thu, February 19, 2009
Todd, thanks for raising the question and referencing Larry Osborne’s article.
Ultimately, I think it comes down to what a person is calling “average.” Are we looking at a person’s accomplishments? Or are we looking whether they obeyed God’s calling with love and faithfulness.
I wrote about that in my blog today:
http://www.liveintentionally.org/2009/02/19/is-it-a-sin-to-be-average/
Andy Wood on Tue, February 24, 2009
I guess theologically speaking, it’s a sin to be anything but dead (to self/flesh).
Average, subpar, even excellent can be varying degrees of flesh. And there’s nothing good in that.
On a different plane, we live in a culture that is narcissicistically fascinated with all the ways we are wonderfully different. But the thrust of New Testament value begins with the things that we all have in common. Members of His household, heirs of His promise, sons and daughters of the Most High - all of those things are plural words that leave us focused more on our relationships with God than on how we compare with those poor souls that aren’t as wonderful as we are.
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