Some good thoughts by others on character ...

There are two ways of looking at the job of discipleship. One is to think of it something akin to learning physics. In fact, much of discipleship (Bible studies, cell group questions, personal reading etc.) look very similar to things you might do getting your degree. Another way to look at discipleship is something more akin to becoming a basketball player: the best players take the same truths everyone else knows (keep your elbow in when you shoot) and work at integrating them into their lives until they are second nature. They take seriously everything their coaches say, and are ruthless in their self evaluation as they strive to make all the fundamentals automatic reactions to the events the face in a game.

There were a couple of articles I've read recently that I really thought were evidence of people performing that self evaluation with the attempt to follow in Christs steps.

First, here's an article on public passion versus private devotion. Its not actually a beration of pastors - the writer is a pastor and is examining himself.

"Leaders make the greatest hypocrites because of their ability to persuade and deceive. Rarely is there a pastor whose character exceeds his reputation. ... If your family, friends, and congregation have better things to say about you than God, it’s because you give them that impression. ... Too often we use this ability not to convey who we are, but who we want others to think we are." - Francis Chan

Another great article was with a new author struggling with self promotion and pride. The thoughts were very honest and candid.

But other forms of self-promotion are more insidious, more complicated, harder to discern. ... Am I complimenting this person because I really like him or because I want something from him? Am I doing a favor for someone else with the expectation that he’ll scratch my back when the time comes? A “tit for a tat” and “a blurb for a blurb” you know. Am I afraid to criticize my friends when necessary because I fear losing their influence? Am I critical of another Christian because they are mistaken or because my heart is jealous, or both?

...

Do I want money and recognition? Do I feel the need for validation? Do I like it when I look successful? Or do I want people to learn more about Christ and honor him with their lives? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. I pray that my heart is mostly concerned with the last yes, but sometimes it’s hard to tell.

I despise self-promotion in myself and in others. And just to show you how twisted the heart can be, I’m sure that part of the reason I hate to be self-promoting is because I have a dread fear of appearing to be self-promoting. Whatever humility I evidence, I bet half of it comes from not wanting to look proud.

-Kevin Deyoung


Of course, the most important question is how to change these things. More to the point, do I quit self promotion even if it costs me book sales? Do I quit saying things from the pulpit or in public that are likely to make me seem more saintly and instead simply focus on talk that edifies others and ignore me entirely. The transparent questioning process is wonderful - it is using the Bible like a mirror to see ourselves as we are. But it is a useless exercise if we do not take the next steps to correct those things despite the cost to personal reputation.

For a more recent article on self-promotion, and one pastor's confession see:

http://www.outofur.com/archives/2010/11/pastoral_narcis_1.html

Here is another Christian writer, talking about the importance of humility (not a confessional article like thehe others ...) : http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/december/22.50.html