I just read this month's "Nitty Gritty." Wow, did it ever get my attention!
I could relate to the writer's "eagleness." However, over the years I found that we work in a world of sparrows and Cardinals and evern a coocoo bird or two and we have to learn to work with them rather than ignore them. (Don't misunderstand, the writer didn't say she ignores them...simply that she prefer's being with fellow eagles.)
We all have talents and abilities that we can share, but some women have never realized what they can give. I love calligraphy--even took a class to learn it--but still can't print the alphabet. One of the women in our church writes so beautifully, we always want her to do our names on name tags, write on our certificates, etc. She doesn't do much else. She sort of stands around looking helpless when it comes to making coffee, but her calligraphy brings out the ooohs and ahwes.
Another woman in our women's group can tell you where just about any scripture is found. "I know the plans I have for you....Where is that found?" She'd know it off the top of her head. I'd have to look it up in Strong's Concordance. That's a gift--not my Strongs, but her remembering.
And we have a woman who can put on a fancy tea in a day by herself. I'd have to delegate, do several shopping trips and wish I could to anything else but put on a fancy tea.
So, we can't all be Eagles, but we all have gifts to share. I'm so grateful when Eagles come into our congregation, but I'm just as grateful for the fancy Cardinals who decorate the sanctuary and remember to put fresh flowers on the altar every week. And, I'm grateful for the Sparrows who appreciate the job the Eagles do. Okay, I won't even mention the coocoo birds.
I guess maybe you misunderstood what I mean by the term eagle. You see, to me an eagle is an involved person. Someone who does something. All the birds you mentioned are doing something. The woman who does calligraphy is using her gifts. The woman who puts on a fancy tea or decorates the sanctuary is the same. These are what I consider my eagles and these type of ladies make up my leadership team.
Those who I consider "non-eagles" or whatever you want to call them...okay...perhaps -- chickens??? -- would be those who don't do anything. Please tell me I am not alone in the fact that I have people like this in my congregation. I dare say I've even had them on staff. But let's not go there...
Anyway, eagles are those who are involved in the work of the ministry. All the ladies you mention are involved.
I went back and re-read your message. I did misunderstand. I was thinking only of those in leadership as eagles--that isn't what you're saying. You're talking about the problem you have with those who take, but never give back. (I like your "chickens") Yes, we do have people who do nothing but attend church, potlucks, and workshops. They are just there.
How do we reach them? Does anyone have the answer?
I don't know. It's hard to reach people with such a lack of desire for the things of God, for serving God. We actually had a staff's family that would always be absent from things like services, SS, etc., but they were always at something with food. Just let dinner be served and there they were. I think this is especially troubling when you see ministers of the gospel and their families who are like this.
I don't think you can "do" anything to change these type of people - it's a "heart" issue - they have to have a desire for the things of God and a hunger to serve Him, and His church. I don't think your pastor can give you that. I have talked to people about it for years until blue in the face and served as an example in constantly serving, but I have seen that time and again those who pick up on the message and example you show are those who are already seeking God and hungry to do His will. God has to get through to them by His power to show them why there is a need for them to change, in my opinion.
And, until they change -- it's very frustrating for the rest of us to serve while we watch them sit - or sadly - while they just continue to use any excuse to not show up - unless there's food.
