Why we deal with the symptoms and not the root cause

Do we tend to deal with the symptom or the root cause?

Often, our systems will want to patch over the visible reactions to a dilemma.

Without the nuance of a relationship or an intimate knowledge of a situation, we tend to lean towards the surface responses, not the deeper causes behind them.

For example, we run training events about racism and discrimination, not a lack of empathy or understanding.

We run courses on managing anger, not addressing a sense of fear or a feeling of lacking control.

We may touch on the issue of our group/ministry/church not growing, but overlook the root cause of us being unwelcoming or not inviting others.

Ultimately, talking about the symptoms is easier.

But, wrestling with the root cause takes time and honestly.

Unfortunately, most institutions aren’t prepared to commit the time or provide the space to deal with the root cause behind the symptoms bubbling to the surface.

The Ministry OF Children

I’ve seen and done a lot of ministry FOR children.

Sunday mornings.

School scripture.

Special events.

Holiday clubs.

Camps.

But, the church must never lose sight of the ministry OF children.

For, the church gains an immense amount from the ministry of the children in their midst.

Simple faith.

Innocence.

Enthusiasm.

Wonder.

Play.

Acceptance.

Freedom.

Dancing.

Enjoyment.

Jesus tells us in Mark 10:15 that we must accept the Kingdom like a child.

Surely the ministry OF children is showing us how.

The matrix of volunteering obligations

No matter if it is in a church or another context, there is a flow of responsibility which comes to volunteering.

At the start, the volunteer is under no obligation.

They can choose to step up or not. 

They alone decide to put up their hand and offer help.

It’s their choice.

In return, the one who is approached by the volunteer is under no obligation to accept the offer of help.

They weigh up the need and the acceptability of the volunteer and make a measured decision about the next step.

They can accept.

They can decline (hopefully gently and graciously).

They can restrict (they can place some boundaries upon the persons’ involvement).

But, there is no obligation that the offer from a volunteer must be accepted.

The only obligation they are under is that they respond.

Timely.

With a justification for the decision they make.

And then, the obligation is for the volunteer to accept the outcome.

Hopefully, even if they are disappointed by the decision, they can accept the outcome with maturity (and in a church context, Christlikeness).

This is the chain of obligations when it comes to volunteering.

I am not obligated to volunteer.

They are not obligation to accept.

I am obligated the accept the decision.

The advantage of students seeing the face of their teacher during an exam

As we reach the middle of the school term, all of my classes will have in-class examinations leading up to the creation of school reports.

As I gazed upon my students enduring an examination, it occurred to me that those in my presence had an advantage over those sitting the exam externally.

The reason is simple.

My students can see me.

Sometimes, students will intently look at me, urgently hoping that the response they’re seeking will emerge.

As such, the students in my presence have the opportunity to look at me and, potentially, have a memory triggered of me providing the answer their mind is desperately searching for.

They may be able to imagine the actions I did to help explain the concept.

They may be able to imagine my voice imparting the information they require.

Those who are outside of my presence will be denied these possibilities.

Of course, this is ironic, since those who are doing the exam externally is usually due to additional support structures which are designed to help them perform better in the exam.

The difference between being Interested, Involved and Invested in a ministry

Everyone doesn’t need to be involved in a ministry of a church in exactly the same way.

Obviously.

Everyone doesn’t have the same skills.

Everyone doesn’t have the same availability.

The Body of Christ is not designed to be a millipede.

Everybody needs not be an identical leg.

Nonetheless, there are different depths to the involvement one can have in a ministry.

Interested.

Involved.

Invested.

No matter if the ministry is one which focuses on youth a Friday, the primary worship services on a Sunday or another midweek activity, there will be some distinguishing factors which determine the amount your willing to be involved.

The first way is time.

The sheer amount of time one spends attached to a ministry activity will help gauge the depth of their commitment.

If you’re interested, you’ll have a genuine interest, but you may never - or rarely ever - physically attend the activity.

If you’re involved, then you’ll have a genuine involvement, resulting in your regular physical attendance.

But, if you’re invested, you’ll be there nearly always.

The second determiner will be what you have on the line.

If your interested, you’re skin-in-game will be the church mission. You will pray for the ministry because it is an activity of the church. It is an activity that your congregation supports. It involves people who you know of.

If you’re involved, your skin-in-game will be the ministry itself. You will volunteer. You will go on a roster. You will be prepared to be hands on. You will develop relationships. Your depth of involvement will be because this is (or your hoping that it will) make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

If your invested, you’re skin-in-game will be a name and a face. This ministry will directly involve someone you care about. Your kid. Your friend. Your parent. You will be invested in the direct outcome of the ministry personally. You will volunteer because you intimately want to see the difference the ministry will make. 

As your depth-level of participation deepens, then you’ll find that you also have two consequences.

First of all, you’ll find greater satisfaction in the victories of the ministry.

But, you will also be close enough to the ministry that you can get burnt by the failings.