http://charleswear.com/2007/07/30/hero-or-zero/ the publisher of Next-Wave Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:00:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://charleswear.com/2007/07/30/hero-or-zero/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Leon Hebrink Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:00:55 +0000 http://charleswear.com/2007/07/30/hero-or-zero/#comment-35 I hear you and I've wrestled with these same demons. Or, maybe its wrestling with an angel and coming up limping? Maybe both? I read a definition of "hero" recently in one of the books I am reading, can't remember which one for sure; either one on reimagining evangelism, picturing the Gospel or hearing God and probably published by IVP. But I digress. The working definition of "hero" in the book went something like this, "Someone who denies themself for the sake of others, one who sets aside their 'powers' for the service of others, humble self-sacrifice." If this is a good working definition of "hero" then what's so bad, unhealthy or dysfunctional in trying to be one? I think the problem comes when we NEED recognition rather than in wanting to be a hero. Shoot, most pastors I know who give a darn are wired to be fixers, rescuers, lifeguards in the pool of life; sounds like part of the shepherd job description to me. I am a "second career pastor" flirting with 20 years in at sea who struggles with a deep seated aversion to church. I've recently been shown a golden key to surviving a bit longer that I'd like to share: find the church within the church and drop anchor there, push out to sea in the dark places where the light of Christ is most needed and then come back to safe harbor in the church within the church. Try to ignore the religious seagulls in between and just shower off the seagull doodey as needed. I'm new to this plan so I'll let you know how it goes. Leon I hear you and I’ve wrestled with these same demons. Or, maybe its wrestling with an angel and coming up limping? Maybe both?
I read a definition of “hero” recently in one of the books I am reading, can’t remember which one for sure; either one on reimagining evangelism, picturing the Gospel or hearing God and probably published by IVP. But I digress.
The working definition of “hero” in the book went something like this, “Someone who denies themself for the sake of others, one who sets aside their ‘powers’ for the service of others, humble self-sacrifice.” If this is a good working definition of “hero” then what’s so bad, unhealthy or dysfunctional in trying to be one?
I think the problem comes when we NEED recognition rather than in wanting to be a hero.
Shoot, most pastors I know who give a darn are wired to be fixers, rescuers, lifeguards in the pool of life; sounds like part of the shepherd job description to me.
I am a “second career pastor” flirting with 20 years in at sea who struggles with a deep seated aversion to church. I’ve recently been shown a golden key to surviving a bit longer that I’d like to share: find the church within the church and drop anchor there, push out to sea in the dark places where the light of Christ is most needed and then come back to safe harbor in the church within the church. Try to ignore the religious seagulls in between and just shower off the seagull doodey as needed.
I’m new to this plan so I’ll let you know how it goes.
Leon

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