If “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many,” (Matthew 20:28) and as Christians we are part of the Body of Christ who are to embody that faith, how does it affect our decision making? This is a radical challenge for both the congregation and the pastor. How does a congregation “Look not to (their) own interests, but to the interests of others?” (Philippians 2:4) This approach contradicts the narcissistic attitude of our culture. Suddenly neither the congregation nor the pastor is the center of the universe around which decisions are made.
As a session, make a list of ten ways that the congregation might make a decision that would be beneficial to the congregation. For example, a congregation might decide to redecorate it’s sanctuary, cut back on its benevolence giving, lay off staff, shape it’s worship style according to what most members desire, refer all those who ask for help to the local Salvation Army or other crisis ministry, avoid participation in a ministry that is controversial, etc. Make up your own list. How might those decisions be altered if one gave first priority to “the other” person or group in need? It is not that any of those decisions are necessarily bad in themselves, but notice how the emphasis shifts if your primary focus is on how you might serve the other.
When Jesus was headed for Jerusalem, Peter, knowing the danger that existed there, tried to persuade Jesus not to go. Peter is an effective symbol for the church who is tempted to think pragmatically and place priority on self-preservation. (Matthew 16:22) Think about what it means for a congregation to ask first, “what is faithful,” rather than “what helps us preserve ourselves.”
