Answering the why question

I’ve just been asked, “Why have you devoted your life to serving the local church and what keeps you motivated?” Those are pretty dangerous questions to ask of me these days. Here, for what it’s worth, is my response:

Iíve devoted my life to serving Jesus, and following him on mission. My commitment is to him primarily rather than the church. I serve in the church, but my calling isnít primarily to the church but to Jesus himself. If I am in danger of losing motivation, itís because many Christian leaders are arguing today that most churches have lost the essence of what it means to be the church. Iím motivated by the challenge of recapturing the priorities of Jesus in my life and in my church, but Iím de-motivated by the prospect of potentially maintaining an institution rather than a community thatís living out Jesusí call on all of our lives.