As ministry leaders, we are better together, no matter what our life experiences are that have brought us to this point. In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast with cohost Beth Golik, we’ll talk about the benefits of constructive criticism, collaborative idea sharing, and mutual encouragement.
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Quick Links:
Disability Ministry Video Roundtables
Inclusion Fusion Live Disability Ministry Conference
Transcript:
This is Beth Golik and you are listening to Key Ministry: The Podcast. This is Episode 2: ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’. In today’s episode we’ll look at three ways we, as ministry leaders, are better together, no matter what brought us here to this point.
Although this is our second episode, it’s my first as cohost. So, allow me to introduce myself and give you an idea on what we’ll be talking about during the episodes where I’m at the mic. Like many of you, I wear a variety of hats in my personal and professional life. I’ve been part of the Key Ministry team for about six years now. Part of my role is consulting with churches seeking to enter, or take next steps, in the disability ministry space. And one of my favorite things is convening ministry leaders a couple of times a month for video roundtables where we resource and encourage each other. We were Zooming long before it was cool.
But in addition to serving on the Key Ministry staff, I have been a member of a church staff for the past nine years. As the director of the special needs ministry, I am part of a strong children’s ministry team, and so I’ll bring that perspective to this podcast. I’ll share practical, hands-on tools with you, with particular emphasis on the Sunday morning experience. I want to help people -- and maybe you fall into this category -- that are saying, “Yes! My church wants to welcome families experiencing disability but how do I…” You can fill in the blank with whatever that question or situation is that you are struggling with at the moment.
But for today’s episode, I want to step out of the classroom for a second. Before we get into the practical equipping of ministry leaders, let’s talk about what brings YOU to the podcast today and how we can be better together. Let’s start with a biblical truth.
Proverbs 27:17 says:
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
This applies to us as ministry leaders. To me, iron sharpens iron means we can become more effective disability ministry leaders through constructive criticism, collaborative idea sharing, and mutual encouragement.
Let’s breakdown these three points.
If you are listening right now, there’s a pretty good chance that we have at least one thing in common: we love Jesus and we know the Gospel is for everyone including those with physical, intellectual, and hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. So, we are living out our biblical mandate to share the Gospel. That’s what we have in common. But we hold different roles. You might be a lay leader, a pastor, a parent, a volunteer or a staff member, paid or unpaid. You might be part of a big church or small church or are seeking a church home.
We also bring a variety of life experiences to the table. Think about it. What was your entry point to disability ministry? What brings you to listen today? Perhaps you or someone you love has a disability whether it’s physical, intellectual, hidden, or chronic illness or mental health condition. You or they could have a recent diagnosis or have been a member of the disability community since birth. I can think of so many leaders, including saints who have gone before us as well as the upcoming generation of leaders, who have their own personal experience of living with disability, either themselves or as a caregiver.
Maybe your career field or work experience is what brought you to the table. In future episodes of this podcast you will meet Dr. Steve Grcevich, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He saw the struggles families of his patients with hidden disabilities – such as ADHD and anxiety – were having with church. Many had basically given up on being able to “do church.” His education and experience are how Key Ministry was born twenty years ago.
Maybe disability is part of your family of origin. You grew up as a sibling or a son or daughter of someone with a mental health condition or some type of disability. You are who you are today because of that life experience.
Or maybe disability isn’t necessarily your family experience or educational background or work experience, but you are where you are today because of a Holy Spirit nudge.
No matter what your entry point was, I am grateful that you are here listening today. Please continue to live into your gifting so together we can grow the disability ministry movement. It’s that combo of life experiences, God-given talent, and Spirit-filled ministry that allows that to happen.
But back to iron sharpens iron. We all know that sometimes when you rub metal against metal, sparks fly.
I can think of several times over the last couple of years where there has been heated discussion among disability ministry leaders about a couple of issues, including the language we use. I will be the first to admit, I don’t like conflict. But, conversations that include careful consideration of a variety of perspectives and experiences can be healthy as we seek the common goal of advancing the disability ministry movement to grow the Kingdom. Constructive criticism benefits us all when done with respect and with our overarching common goal of making the Gospel accessible to all. So, let’s continue the discussions that make us uncomfortable. But let’s do it in a way where everyone has a seat at the table and is respected and honored.
Iron sharpens iron means constructive criticism.
The second point of iron sharpens iron and how we can become more effective disability ministry leaders has to do with collaborative idea sharing.
I don’t need to tell you that the last couple of years have been tough for the church and for ministry leaders. We had to rethink pretty much everything when pandemic protocols became part of our lives two years ago.
If you have been trying to go it alone, there’s a good chance you’ve missed out on some of the incredible, innovative, and culture-changing opportunities that creative minds have brainstormed and implemented to continue and grow disability ministry. I like to call these #PandemicBlessings as they are initiatives we never would have thought about or tried if we weren’t forced to because of COVID. The examples are numerous and we’ll talk about some of them on upcoming episodes of this podcast. But suffice it to say, these #PandemicBlessings were born through the collaboration of ministry leaders, like you, because iron sharpens iron means innovation comes through collaboration.
The last part of iron sharpens iron has to do with encouraging one another.
Ministry can be heavy at times. I mean, let’s face it, life can be heavy at times. Find people that can uplift you when you are experiencing a rough patch. And be the cheerleader for others when you have the margin to do so, so that you can experience the joy that encouraging one another can bring. I want to personally invite you to join my group that fills this role for me. Each month, Key Ministry hosts a video roundtable for ministry leaders where we share ideas and encourage one another. Visit keyministry.org/events to sign up for the next Idea Share and you’ll understand how beneficial it is to both give and receive encouragement. Just a few weeks ago Key Ministry held our national disability ministry conference, Inclusion Fusion Live. The benefit of being in the same room with people who get it was huge. The amount of collaboration and encouragement that took place that weekend was off the charts and those of us who attended will be carrying that glow for awhile.
Paul spoke words of encouragement to the Thessalonians, when he was urging them to live their lives like people set apart and not like the rest of the world.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, he said:
Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Let’s do that for each other. Let’s encourage each other.
You have unique life experiences and God-given talent. Combine that with Spirit-filled ministry and it can be culture-changing for the church. So, let’s work together to make that happen, because iron sharpens iron through constructive criticism, collaborative idea sharing, and mutual encouragement.
Thank you so much for listening to today’s episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast where we talked about being better together. You can find a transcript of this episode and the link to join our next Idea Share at keyministry.org/podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a minute to give it a 5 star rating and leave a review! That will help other people know if it's the right show for them.
