Jun 04 2012

Concern for Others Posted 1 years 15 days ago ago by Bob Burroughs     0 Comments

Quote

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” Coach John Wooden

Scripture

I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus.  1st Corinthians 1:4

Prayer

Abba, Abba, Abba, Creator, Sustainer and the Giver of all good and perfect gifts, I bless You this day for those in the Kingdom who have a continuous concern for others, a joy in serving others and who will not miss an opportunity to be "Christ" in the workplace, in the home, and wherever 'need' lives. You, Great God of wonder and joy, provide us opportunities to be "Christ" and share Your love and concern for others. Give us grace to be aware and mercy in abundance for those whom we meet in our daily lives and who need grace and mercy bestowed on them by those who call on You and live for You each day. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who always had time and concern for others - always! Amen, and Amen.

 

Concern for Others

This is #6 in an issue of USA TODAY article that dealt with the TEN VALUE SKILLS that are the most important in today's society and world - skills that are important when employers are hiring and churches are looking for when bringing on a new pastor or staff member.

I have asked several good friends to take each of these Value Skills and write a brief comment about each one in issues of MME. The fifth value skill is Integrity, written by Susan Deal, Minister of Music/Worship, First Baptist Church, Dalton, Georgia. Susan loves people, has a heart for ministry and serves her church and community with great concern for others.


You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and...your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10: 27)

And who is my neighbor?

In the story, Jesus tells of the Good Samaritan, and I find myself identifying with the priest who passes by on the other side. As church musicians, we have the heavy responsibilities of leading meaningful worship every week, and all the logistics that come into play to insure that happens. It is easy to get so caught up in our "priestly duties" that we fail to see the needs of those with whom we minister AND the needs of those just outside our door. We need to see others as Christ sees them.

When He saw him, He had compassion on him.

I have a friend who has demonstrated for me on many occasions what it means to have the eyes of Christ. One day, Sarah and I were driving together to an appointment. We were in a deep conversation about something, when all of a sudden she pulled over to the curb, stopped, jumped out, and ran toward someone whom she had seen stagger and fall. By the time I had unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door, she was kneeling beside him and caring for him. It was a reflex action for her. It would have been a longer, thoughtful process for me:

"Did he just fall? I wonder what's wrong? Perhaps I should turn around and go back to see if he is OK. Maybe someone behind me saw him and stopped. I wonder how safe it is for two women to risk helping a man who appears to be drunk?"

In The MESSAGE bible, Eugene Peterson interprets it this way, "When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him." The Good Samaritan saw someone in need, and his spontaneous response was compassion. He demonstrated heartfelt concern.

Of course, having concern for others doesn't always mean caring for someone in an emergency, or who has encountered an unexpected problem or event such as sickness, hospitalization, or death of a loved one.

There are intentional ways we as ministers express concern for others in on-going, tangible ways—acknowledgement of a birthday, attending school concerts or sporting events, community involvement, pausing to speak to someone in the hallway, giving a hug to an elderly person who lives alone and needs a physical touch, and perhaps even lingering a bit after rehearsal to discover the life stories of our choir members.

These are just a few ways we can show concern for others. It's not about checking "be compassionate" off our "To Do" list. It's about developing a lifestyle, wearing corrective lenses, if you will, that enable us to see others as Christ sees them, and then ACT on what we are commanded to do—Love the Lord your God AND love your neighbor.

Who proved to be a neighbor? The one who showed him mercy.

I think it is interesting that Jesus' story began by answering the question, "WHO is my neighbor?" Yet the story ends by turning the tables and asking how one can BE a neighbor. We are neighbors by showing mercy/concern for others.

Go and do likewise.

What think ye

Leadership

10 Rules for Respect

Rules generally provide everyone a level playing field. That's why they're important. Sometimes, we don't explain all the rules and people get hurt. Part of the role of leader is to help establish the boundaries.

In an issue of Leadership Journal, Charles W. Christian, pastor of Canby Chapel Church of the Nazarene, Canby, Oregon, shared the following 10 Rules for Respect that are good for leaders to learn! He points out: "While they have not eliminated every problem, the principles have provided a strong foundation for living, Christlike communication." Each year, he and his leaders sign a covenant containing these principles:

1. If you have a problem with me, come to me (privately).
2. If I have a problem with you, I'll come to you (privately).
3. If someone has a problem with me and comes to you, send them to me (I'll do the same for you).
4. If someone consistently will not come to me, say, "Let's go to the pastor together. I am sure he will see us about this." (I will do the same for you).
5. Be careful how you interpret me -- I'd rather do that.
6. I'll be careful how I interpret you.
7. If it's confidential, don't tell.
8. I do not read unsigned letters or notes.
9. I do not manipulate; I will not be manipulated; do not let others manipulate you.
10. When in doubt, just say it.

© 1999, Charles W. Christian. Reprinted from Leadership Journal  

To read more of this week's MME, including new music reviews, please look to the right.

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