Believe it or not, it's better to start things we don't actually know how to do because it forces us to seek help from those who do. What did John Maxwell say about not wanting to be a part of anything that didn't require a team?
If you're a church planter who is doing A) graphic design, B) the website, C) leading worship, D) uploading the podcast, and E) preaching... here's a word of advice:
Sabotage your church.
Stop doing everything. Let some things suffer and see if anyone takes notice. Because here's a little secret: If people know that you'll do their job on top of yours... they'll go right ahead and let you.
The title made me giggle. The content made me pause.
Good stuff bro.
peace|dewde
Posted by: dewde | October 16, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Ben,
you always manage to stick it to me in a few sentences. Amazing. Thanks for challenging me each week...sometimes each day.
:)
Posted by: Zak White | October 16, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Ben,
You sound like my wife. I am currently transitioning to a new church in SC from NorCal but I really had this problem at my former church (talk about stepping away). I can definitely be too much of a helper not enough of a teacher. I think the problem is that I don't want our church to experience things the way they would be without me doing them.
Now the problem is that I am leaving and I think they're going to be in for a big surprise because I'm not sure they knew the extent of what I do. Sorry for the long comment.
Posted by: TJ Goff | October 16, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Appreciated this post. I always look forward to reading your blog. But this one was spot on for me and what I need to hear.
Posted by: Sam Frederick | October 16, 2008 at 08:17 PM
abso-LUTELY!
Posted by: neil | October 16, 2008 at 09:07 PM
Good post Ben. Although i do agree in theory it is jolly hard to do. If we didnt do the music, graphic design then we would have at this stage a church that doesnt reflect who we want to be (at this current small stage) so we would attract a very different kind of person i think. Do you have any words of wisdom on the balance of this - if there is such a thing? Or do you think get off no matter what.
Posted by: Claire | October 17, 2008 at 05:22 AM
Ouch. That hurts. But it's the truth. I think I'm going to stop doing alot of things!
Posted by: Mark LeHew | October 17, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Needed to hear that. So do others... thx, Ben!
Posted by: D PLUM | October 19, 2008 at 12:51 AM
When we hold onto the roles, we may get better quality websites, music, etc., in the short term. But...
1. When we get burned out, there's no one who can replace us - at least at the level we're satisfied with.
2. We communicate that the church is all about us, our gifts, our abilities. "Come and watch us do good things."
3. We remove opportunity for people to get better at their gifts, even though it took us years to play good music and design well in Photoshop.
ugh. There's a reason I'm using the word sabotage.
Posted by: Ben Arment | October 19, 2008 at 05:22 PM