Avoiding Messiah Complexes in Christian Education

For anyone who read my blog last week, you know I reflected on temptations that we can encounter in Christian education ministry including comparison, building/growing for its own sake, reminiscing, being pleasers, leaving God out of it and going on cruise control. I realized later that I had missed perhaps the most dangerous one of all.

Particularly for those hired to a position to oversee ministries to children, youth and/or families, with all of the details, layers of relationships, expectations (often unarticulated) and pressures that go along with most church climates today, doing our work without gaining a Messiah complex can be tough. The longer we are in the position, the harder it becomes.

How do we know we’re in danger territory of having a Messiah complex? Do any of these sound familiar?
“I know George wants to help, but he doesn’t know how I do things. It won't be done right.”
“I can’t take a Sunday off – how will everything get done without me there?”
“If they would only listen to what I want to do, they’ll get why it’s the best option.”

These may, on their own, sound innocent enough. But if they become default for your ministry, you are likely nursing a Messiah complex and believing that you are the only one to lead the ministry. This can result in many things – burnout, volunteers tired of not being empowered, loss of learners as things become stagnant, loss of renewed and shared vision, and loss of support for your work as people get frustrated, to name a few. So, how do we avoid this? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Practice humility and servanthood. Remember who you are serving – your leaders, your community, your learners, and, most importantly, Jesus. Keep perspective on Who called you to this, and regularly check in with Him, asking for help and acknowledging your weaknesses and strengths. Reflect regularly on how God is growing you.

2. Develop vision together with a team. Base your vision on scripture, careful consideration of your church’s unique history and culture, current assets and needs, and feedback from participants and parents. Be sure that you take the time to listen broadly so that your vision is based on a wide variety of voices and perspectives.

3. Communicate clearly. Have clear expectations for those who serve with you to plan (and make sure you have others planning with you – don’t allow this to be delegated to you alone) and for those who lead. Work together to develop and update these expectations and guidelines so that people can succeed and grow.

4. Equip and empower. Take the time to provide orientation and training for roles. Think through what volunteers need to know to achieve the vision your team has developed. Provide them with all the materials they will need as well as support for whatever challenges may crop up. Make them feel confident and set them free to use their gifts.  

5. Be wise. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Make changes and offer new things gradually, listening carefully to your volunteers and how much gas they have in the tank for something new or different. Don’t see them as a means to your ends, but as followers needing to be fed, discipled and valued. Are you the only one excited about this new idea? There may be a reason why that is.

6. Regularly show gratitude. Don’t wait until the end of the Sunday school or program season to say a quick thank you to leaders or give them a gift. Thank them publicly in a variety of ways – verbally in announcements, in front of the children and youth they work with, in the newsletter and online. Let others know how highly you think of your team and how necessary they are to the effectiveness of your programs.  

As with last week, you may think of more to add. This is a starting point.

As we move further into Lent, take the time to reflect on the place Jesus and His story have in your life. Do you recognize your need for Him? Is this reflected in your interactions with other people? How can you show that you value Him highly?