Personal integrity is key to anyone serving in ministry. The sad reality is that those of us in full-time ministry are prone to sin just like all other humans. However, we are also held to a higher standard of accountability, both by our congregations [rightfully so] and by God [also rightfully so].
One of the areas of deep brokenness in our current age is the rampant desire to live without consequences. The word “no” instantly offends, as does the sense that someone is trying to hold us accountable. However, that accountability exists – whether we want it to or not – because we are interdependent. There are areas in each of our lives where we have responsibility, and it doesn’t matter how we feel about it or whether we want that to be the case or not.
When we fail in our areas of responsibility, we lose the trust of those we are responsible to. For instance, one of the fastest ways that someone can lose my trust is to lie to me. We often lie to “defend ourselves,” by the reality is that I put my faith much more readily in someone who owns his or her mistakes [if it’s a flippant “oh, I screwed up, no biggie,” that’s a different issue…] than someone who tries to hide the truth. The willingness to be honest and accept responsibility when we caused an issue – regardless of cost – is an increasingly valuable character trait in a world collapsing in the opposite direction.
“A good name – like goodwill – is got by many actions and lost by one.” – Lord Jeffery
Hmmm - well, let's see...
I'm a Christian, a husband, a dad, a son, a pastor, a consultant, a musician, a writer, and bits and pieces of a bunch of other things. My work life has followed three main phases - business to teaching to church. I was the Weekend Services Pastor for nine years at Northview Church, an awesome church in the Indianapolis suburbs. I used to work for Willow Creek, another awesome church in the Chicago area. Plus I've written for various magazines and websites, and other freelancy sorts of things... My life mission is to help the church be as excellent as it can be.
Oh yeah - the name's Greg. Greg Wallace. But not the race car driver or the major league pitcher or the British celebrity chef. Just the creative worship guy. Hi.
It's my hope that these ideas, musings, rants, raves, etc... will inspire you. They're just my opinions - but again, I hope that they'll help to inspire you. Because the church really, really needs inspired creative types. If you're a creative type (and most people are, deep-down), ask God for help. Then take any ideas that are useful to you - borrow them, nab them, use them, adapt them - and make them into something greater...
You can head over to my Instagram site for an abundance of shorter posts: creativeworshipideas. If you're looking for consulting - especially on weekend services, team leadership or multi-site strategies - I'd love to help. Just message me here, and I'll be in touch - Greg
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