Are church people stressing you out?

I've heard it said, "All churches are perfect... until you include people." I at least partly agree with that statement. It's true that church people can be very stressful. For the most part, everyone you work with are volunteers. Therefore, their time is precious and their service is precious as well. Also, because they may be voluteers, dealing with their particular quirks isn't as easy as with a paid staff member. Regardless, when it comes to working with those you worship with, Satan would love nothing more than to sever any good emotion you may have for them.


I love Proverbs 14:4, "Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean: but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox."  What great wisdom for working with people! It seems that the writer is offering a choice when working with church people. We can do away with our struggles completely by eliminating people or we can accomplish much for God... but deal with the stress of those around us.


The fact is, according to the verse, if you work with people, you will eventually have to deal with their... mess. Anyone who has ever worked with others will agree to this.  But don't let the stress that comes with  working with others be the demise of your ministry or church attendance.


Try this: try seeing them for who they CAN be instead of who they ARE. Right now, they are bringing you down and causing you much stress. However, believe it or not, they are an answer to prayer. Remember, you were the one who prayed that God would send laborours into the harvest (Matt. 9:38). That person is an answer to prayer. God saved them and is changing them for his glory. He has purpose for them... just as He has purpose for you.


So, before you begin to complain about the added stress, see them for their potential and try adding value to them. Remember, you can have everything your way if you want... but you may have everything all to yourself!


Pastor Mike Carmody