by Walt Brock

Whose commitment are we talking about—ours as leaders or theirs as followers? It makes no difference; they are the same with one caveat: if you ever expect a follower’s commitment and willingness to sacrifice to be as great as the leader’s commitment, then you are in for a lifetime of disappointment. We must get over the unrealistic expectation that everyone’s commitment to this ministry should be as great as mine.

With that admonition out of the way, I have identified a phenomenon which I call the “seven-year itch” that applies to both leaders and followers. It has been my experience that the majority of people undergo a time of evaluating whether their current ministry is their God-called life ministry and if that ministry is where they should stay. Are they where God wants them to be? Leaders should welcome questions. Real commitment over the long haul will not be possible without them, and God’s will may be for someone to serve with you for a while to receive training to serve the Lord somewhere else. We see that happening often in the Scripture, so we should not be surprised that God is still doing it today.

Usually, the goal is to bring someone into our ministry, train them, give them opportunity to use and develop their abilities and gifts, and to progress to the point of genuine usefulness and optimum productivity for the Lord. Then it is our goal for them to remain committed to the ministry to which God has called and led them.

The outline below helps people determine God’s call and commitment to a ministry. I do not teach the outline at any particular time; it is just kind of floating around the edges of my talks and conversations with them over their first years of ministry.

Commitment is aided by a statement or testimony of God’s call (Philippians 3:13–14).

• Is there a commitment to full-time ministry and specifically to this ministry?
• Encourage them and give them opportunities to give public and verbal testimony of God’s leading them here.

Commitment is aided by the rejection of a “bigger and better” opportunity or dream.

• These can be either secular or ministry opportunities.
• God created us with a free will to choose; teach why.
• The character to say no must be tested.
  – Balaam (Numbers 22)
  – Elisha (2 Kings 5:15–19)

Commitment is aided by hard times leading to dependence and expectation in God and not in ministry (Psalm 62:5).

• Trials are “case hardeners” of backbone.
• Am I willing to do this ministry no matter the cost?
• Learn to look to God and not to the ministry for my needs.

Commitment is aided by an eternal value view of my mundane task (2 Corinthians 4).

• Remind them of the eternal cause.
• Remind them of the reasons we resist the temptation of the material.

Commitment is aided by recognition of the hand of God on and around them and the ministry (Nehemiah 2:18).

• God is at work, not luck or good fortune.
• God’s timing is perfect—at the right place and right time.
• God deserves the credit, not me or others (Hebrews 3:4).

Commitment is aided by personal fulfillment; always abounding = excelling (1 Corinthians 15:58).

• I’m making a difference; things are happening for eternity here.
• I’m making a contribution; God is using the abilities and gifts He has provided.
• I’m making decisions of consequence related to this ministry.
• My dreams and aspirations are being fulfilled or aligned with God’s will for me.

Commitment is aided by contentment being taught to combat covetousness (Hebrews 13:5).

• Contentment is not complacency.
• Exodus 20:17 addresses these areas in the original command.
  – Materialism—house
  – Family—wife or husband of another
  – Servants—lifestyle and degree of prosperity
  – Donkey—transportation, a real nice pickup truck
  – Ox—tools

Click here for a chart that can be duplicated and used to teach contentment to one’s staff. Remember, without contentment there will be no firm commitment for either the leader or the follower.