Unfearing

I constantly see two kinds of fear in church leadership. First is the fear of failing God, of never performing well enough for Him, which values principle and conformity over intimacy and identity.  Principles are good, and needed, but a ministry based primarily on regulations makes for lousy relationships. That kind of fear begins by persuading people serving God is all about behavior. They retreat into smaller and smaller groups whose bond is based on what they don’t do, rather than on who they are in Christ. Instead of being living invitations into His presence, fear of failure leads them to conclude God is against everyone who doesn’t believe and act exactly the same as they, and to please Him means condemning everyone who doesn’t.

The other kind of fear is rejection. That may not seem like a big revelation, but it’s powerful and ingrained. Its influence gets rationalized by renaming it social wisdom. This kind of wisdom values being approved of by an ever–changing culture more than it values the presence of God. Ministry becomes about giving people what they say they want, rather than blessing them with what they really need. Instead of being free to demonstrate genuine kindness and compassion to people no matter what they believe, fear of rejection treats them according to its level of insecurity around them. Love becomes compromised, because there’s greater concern for maintaining position through managing people (and their offerings) within the local church, than there is for equipping them for their best life in Christ, regardless of where they go on a Sunday. People are seen as consumers more than family.

The American church has relied more on history than the Holy Spirit as its source of influence in the culture. It’s used religious doctrine and tradition to mold societal behavior among people that may not have any experience with Jesus, much less share the same belief system. And when that doesn’t work anymore, the fear of failing elevates doctrine to an idol, and the fear of rejection lets it get redefined by popular opinion.

Both fears are a disconnect from trusting God beyond our own control. Jesus is always love and light. He’s the way, the truth, and the life, and His kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:8, 1:5, John 14:6, Romans 14:17). He doesn’t change. But we do. We’re supposed to grow, transform, and be upgraded in Him all our lives, to go from living in one revelation of His glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18). However, we’re comfortable right where we are, secure as long as things don’t change around us. But life doesn’t work that way. Change happens constantly. So, we can either give into our fears and let them dictate how we live our lives, or we can give them to God in exchange for His joy, peace, confidence, and faith. That’s a choice we make every day, not by focusing on what we don’t want, but by overwhelming it with Who we do.