The Curse of Competency

Several years ago, one of my former mentors taught me of a principle that I have tried to never forget. As we sat eating lunch, he put down his sandwich and got very serious. He told me that I had a lot of great skills and potential, which of course I thanked him for saying that. His next words changed the tone entirely. He said that it wasn't a compliment but a warning. One anyone, especially a pastor, has a wide set of skills to operate in, everyone will want you to use them. Using them is one thing, but they often will want you to do everything. They will put huge demands on your time. He warned that I would pulled in a million different directions at once as different people with different agendas would want my help and skills. He called this the "Curse of Competence."

Over the years since that conversation, I have never forgotten the principle. I don't consider myself anything extraordinary, but I have experienced these demands first hand as I have grown in ministry. Even now, I am wrestling with being in a position of excessive demand. I am praying for guidance on all of my involvements daily asking for wisdom. At the moment, I have violated the second half of the principle.

I have begun to move in a large circle of fellow pastors and ministers, each more deserving and competent than I could ever hope to be. As I have watched these dynamic men of God, I see this curse upon their shoulders. Over and over, I have heard the same statement from different mouths, "I'm too busy." Not only are they dealing with heavy demands from their various congregations, they also feel pressure from city wide ministries to get involved. Lots of people all over the area want them to be a part of what they're doing. All too often, these skilled and gifted men are stretched very thin.

Which brings about the second half of the principle. I learned in that conversation many years ago that the most powerful and necessary word in my vocabulary was and remains, "No." There are two reasons for this. The first is obvious, if we don't say no, then we risk getting overwhelmed by the work load and excessive schedule. We are no longer able to function well in any of them because our time and energy are not sufficient to give all of these things we do our full attention. Of course, our families suffer for our schedule and wind up without us in their lives at the level they need us.

The other reason for "no" is one of the essential reasons for ministry. Ministry is not about getting things done but about developing people. Our job is to equip the saints for service. If we are doing all the work, others never get a chance to grow. Rather than allowing ourselves to fall into the trap, it's better to act in a support role and allow others to develop and grow in their gifts and talents. The Kingdom benefits from this far more than from our efforts as individuals.

So, at the moment, if you ask me to do anything more than I already am, the answer is no.