Mediocrity is a tendency of the human heart and a vice to meaningful ministry. For the sake of God’s Kingdom and Christ’s church, I beg you to consider these factors that tempt us to take the easy way out.
“The difference between mediocrity and excellence is often a matter of effort.” – Diana Waring, Christian author and educator
1. Telling people what to believe without telling them why.
Preachers are heralds of the great doctrines of the Bible, and with just cause! Christians should be knowledgeable of biblical doctrine because it saves them from the errors that accompany the acceptance of false doctrine. Ministers, understandably enamored with the glorious gems of theological study, often neglect to make their teachings relevant to their listeners. We will readily agree with J.I. Packer who stated, “Doctrinal preaching certainly bores the hypocrites; but it is only doctrinal preaching that will save Christ’s sheep.” Yet, we fall short in ministry when we neglect to tell people how the biblical teachings will save them or what they will be saved from.
Mediocre sermons produce mediocre sheep.
Acts 20:28 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
2. Telling people what to do or how to behave without teaching them how to make their own decisions.
Ministers are sought in order to provide guidance, advice, and counsel. With time, ministers often gain great discernment and insight into many problems that plague people and can readily provide excellent answers to challenging questions. While all of this is desirable and helpful, mediocrity is fostered when ministers write more prescriptions for behavioral adjustments while stopping short of teaching people how to make biblical decisions for themselves. The reasons for this could be many: the pastor has a need to feel useful or wanted, the counselee requires higher levels of guidance, time constraints on one or both parties, and other similar concerns.
Counselors must learn to equip their people with an ability to examine biblical virtues, rules, and outcomes before making their own decisions. Doing so empowers them to take ownership of their decisions and their lives. Jesus trained his people in light of his departure knowing that his enduring physical presence was not possible. Similarly, people must be taught to rely upon the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures more than God’s servants when making decisions. Practically speaking, unless you are a minister who can be physically present with your church members at all times, you are better off equipping their maturity rather than enabling their dependence on you.
Mediocre counsel creates mediocre decisions.
John 14:26 – But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
3. Expecting others to do the things that you will not do yourself.
Each minister is equipped with certain gifts that make certain ministry tasks more appealing, satisfying, and enjoyable. I do not know many ministers, if any, that really look forward to cleaning the church toilets on Monday morning. Nevertheless, there are jobs that enable the more substantive aspects of ministry to take place. I’m not simply thinking about maintenance or cleaning responsibilities. Mediocre ministers can recruit helpers to do the tasks they simply do not want to do. Don’t want to clean the bathroom? Just get someone to “be a blessing” and do it for you. Don’t want to coordinate volunteers for your next event? Just “empower” a volunteer to coordinate that for you. Don’t feel like dealing with the problems in that challenging ministry program? Just put someone else “in charge” of that ministry for you. This is not an indictment against delegation or facilitation. This is a check on your perseverance and the example that results. If you delegate, subtask, or facilitate too many responsibilities then you will be looked at more as a weasel than as a worker. If you cannot be trusted to persevere through the hardness of administrative or physical ministry then you will not be trusted when serious spiritual warfare overwhelms your people.
Jesus’s example of self-sacrifice serves as the ultimate demonstration of how to shoulder responsibilities. He endured the most unsavory aspects of ministry. Jesus often kept a grueling schedule of personal interactions in order to gain ministry opportunities. Those opportunities often came with challenges from unruly leaders and lackluster disciples. He carried the weight of the world, and He did so with grace and love.
Mediocre perseverance creates a mediocre example.
Luke 12:48b – For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
4. Avoiding conveying mature understanding and application of the biblical text in sermons by simply reciting a compilation of commentaries.
The delivery of a sermon is only the “tip of the ice burg” in the process of biblical exposition. Many pastors will spend 10-20 hours a week to study for, structure, edit, and refine their weekly sermons. Given the myriad responsibilities of ministers, there is a real temptation to take short cuts in sermon preparation. One of the most common short cuts is commentary recitation. Commentaries are rewarding tools in biblical study, and their information can illuminate the text for the preacher and his audience. Over-reliance on commentaries, however, fosters mediocrity because the minister fails to personalize the biblical message for himself or his people. The personalized application of the Scriptures is vital: no commentary or curriculum can account for the personalities, personal circumstances, or personal histories of the people staring back at the preacher. Use commentaries, but do not rely on them to do the job that you were called to do: feed the flock. As one of my professors once avowed, “I milk a lot of cows but I churn my own butter.” You only have three chances, at most, to feed the congregation each week through your sermons. Make each sermon count.
Mediocre preparation results in mediocre application.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Stay tuned for Part 2 in the next issue of Forward Magazine!
Joseph Martin