Faking Faith

It took a personal burn out and a long reflective walk on the Camino to clarify for me how much I had led a leadership life that faked faith.  I said I believed in Gods’ power.  I acted as though it was all mine.

The ministry work ethic and leadership drive of North American Christian leadership culture places a great deal of importance on effort, skills, high-quality materials and events, performance evaluations and KRA’s.  What is ironic (and tragic) is that we as leaders will publicly use a rhetoric of faith in God’s leading and power, but then our execution demonstrates something very different.  It’s a vocational hazard of leaders to inspire with words but lack aligned execution.  I find it especially poignant when faith leaders speak of ‘trusting God’ and ‘prayer first’, but then spend tremendous leadership, organizational and financial energy to organize their efforts as though God’s involvement didn’t matter.

Many of us act out of a functional atheism concerning the sovereignty of God.  However the truth is, only He can produce faith.  Only He can draw people to Himself.  Only He can restore the world to Jesus.   

He is the Master Builder.  I am the worker. How does that relational dynamic show up in your daily efforts?  How much better to lead, live & love in the world and space you occupy with a calm trust in the sovereignty of God to do what only He can do.  

Maybe I am saying slow down and ‘faith up” because I just don’t want to work so hard anymore.

Maybe I am saying all this because after 35+ years of ministry I am tired.

Maybe it’s because my burnout stole something from me.

OR...

Maybe I am finally discovering what it means when Jesus said His yoke is easy & light.

When was the last time you felt that your yoke of ministry was ‘easy and light’?  Was Jesus lying to you about this or is something else off?  Perhaps it’s time for you to step away and re-examine whether you are faking faith in your leadership activity.