Ministering with an attitude of superiority?
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Do you think you’re better than the people with special needs at your church and in your community?
No, seriously. Before you give a knee jerk “no, course not!” think about it first.
I don’t think it’s uncommon to minister – in any ministry, not just this one – with an attitude of superiority. Pride is sneaky and pervasive. Humility can be fleeting and faked.
Here are some questions to ask yourself. They're ones I ask myself regularly.
The night before Christ’s death, what did he do? Washed the grime and filth from the feet of his disciples, including Judas. He did not consider himself too good or too great or, simply put, too God to kneel at their feet and do the work of a servant. If he did not act as if he was impressed with himself, what right do I have to act that way?
I don’t deserve the glory. He does.
May I never forget that.
How do you guard against pride in ministry?
No, seriously. Before you give a knee jerk “no, course not!” think about it first.
I don’t think it’s uncommon to minister – in any ministry, not just this one – with an attitude of superiority. Pride is sneaky and pervasive. Humility can be fleeting and faked.
Here are some questions to ask yourself. They're ones I ask myself regularly.
- Do I talk about “ministering to” others more than I talk about “ministering with” them?
- Am I more concerned about developing my own talents or helping others grow in their God-given giftedness?
- Am I concerned about my name being known by others or God’s name being esteemed as great?
- Am I easily offended?
- How do I feel if I work really hard on something but someone else gets the credit?
- Do I find myself talking about people with special needs as a homogenous group who needs me (helping them, serving them, and so on) or as individuals who, like me, are created by God and in need of a Savior?
- When parents react negatively to something I do, am I quick to get angry or do I examine myself and my actions first?
- Am I willing to admit when I don’t know the answer to something?
- Am I eager to learn from and listen to someone else?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
{Isaiah 66:2}
The night before Christ’s death, what did he do? Washed the grime and filth from the feet of his disciples, including Judas. He did not consider himself too good or too great or, simply put, too God to kneel at their feet and do the work of a servant. If he did not act as if he was impressed with himself, what right do I have to act that way?
I don’t deserve the glory. He does.
May I never forget that.
How do you guard against pride in ministry?