I have some pet peeves. So I get that what I’m about to throw out here may or may not bug you. Or it may not have bugged you before, but NOW it will! That’s my hope!
But these pet peeves aren’t the usual, “Why on earth did they sit next to me when the whole theatre is empty?” Or even, “Why do people write cryptic messages on facebook or twitter?”
These are MINISTRY PEEVES (not in order of peeveness!):
Ministry Peeve 1 : Often we put too much effort and energy into weekly meetings just because that’s what we’ve always done. I think the question, “Why do we have it?” needs to be asked more often! And we need the willingness to NOT have it if it’s not accomplishing what it needs to.
Ministry Peeve 2 : Lack of structure and common language in our small group system. Too often I hear about small groups doing whatever they want, with little to no ministry philosophy taken into consideration.
Ministry Peeve 3 : Staff investing(?) their time with the “wrong” people. (It’s not really investing then…) For more, see this article on Selection .
Ministry Peeve 4 : The ministry activity of one-on-one discipleship rather than “community discipleship.” I think this shows a lack of stewardship of our staff and student leaders. I also have observed the tendency for it to create unhealthy relationships, at least among females (topic for another blog!). Here’s a very insightful article on Community .
I’ll stop now. I don’t know what makes one’s pet peeves go away – but I think maybe it starts with mature conversation. It could be fun and healthy to have a staff development time where everyone shares their own ministry peeves in a respectful and honoring way. That could stir up some stuff…
Here’s the spoon.
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