I love people who take the initiative. These people see a problem, develop a solution, and then want to execute the plan. I really appreciate these people because they take the responsibility to make something better. I’ve seen this in my family, on sports teams, school classrooms, and even in the church. There seem to be people everywhere recognizing issues and desiring to address them. This is a good thing. But it does breed another problem.

Whenever someone takes the initiative to identify a problem, come up with a possible solution, and is willing to take responsibility to execute their proposed resolution, others take notice. However, when someone sees something new begin, they often use it as an opportunity to proclaim to leadership how another opportunity needs to begin as well. Unfortunately, this second group of people is rarely as energetic to be a part of the solution. In other words, they want us to do everything for everyone, but don’t want to help.

“It is impossible for any church to perfectly serve the felt needs of everyone in it all the time.”

Stephen Kneale

The “everything for everyone” myth has overextended many organizations, teams, and families. Trying to pursue doing everything for everyone all the time inevitably stresses the team to the point of fraying at the seams. Yet it’s something I hear all the time – “if we are doing X for that group, we must do Y for this group also”. Stephen Kneale addresses this problem in his article “You Can’t Do Everything & Everything is Not for Everyone“. In it, Kneale gives some freeing truths that every leader needs to hear and heed.

READ THE ARTICLE

As a leader, I want to help others fulfill their potential, know what they are called to do, and equip/resource them to be able to do it. However, no one team or organization can do it all. That is a hard truth most of us leaders don’t like to admit. But we need that reminder for our health and the health of those we lead. I hope you find Stephen’s article encouraging, challenging, and freeing. What did you agree with? What do you think Kneale may be mistaken about?

As always be with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day.

Until Next Time…

Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash