ARE WE OWNERS, INVESTORS, OR HIRED HANDS?

[Joseph Gill]

By BJ HALL

Passages Ministries

February 26, 2015

The owners of the P, J & J Fishing Company are all strong-willed men. "P" is known to be an outspoken, act before you think, kind of leader. J & J on the other hand were two brothers who were at times rather hot tempered. All three were hard working and conscientious. Their work ethic had been developed the hard way as they built the fishing business from the ground up.

The three men were very dedicated to the business and gave all their energy to the success of the business. They took pride in everything they did for the company. Nets were mended meticulously. Every day barnacles were cleaned from the bottom of the boats. When the oars began to show any sign of deterioration due, to the constant beating of the water, they were sanded until they were smooth again and treated with oil to revitalize the dry weathered wood. The sails and rigging were inspected and repaired daily. 

The owners, P, J & J equally divided the labor and the profits of the business. When investments in new equipment were needed, they shared equally in the cost. When fishing was good, they rejoiced together. When it was bad they worked even harder. They didn't blame one another when things were bad. Instead they encouraged one another and made decisions together to improve the catch.

As a result the, Peter, James and John Fishing Company was one of the most successful fishing companies on this side of the sea.

--- Now consider this scenario ---

Simon's Fishing Company is owned Peter. James is an investor in the company, but has little input in its day to day operation. John was a hired hand. 

Business is good and everyone is happy. James is getting a return on his investment. John showed up for work every day, but he didn't take any initiative to improve business. 

When the fish weren't biting John lost interest. He was satisfied to sit in the bow of the boat and carve his initials in the planking.

James was upset that there weren't more fish being caught. He spent most of his time trying to figure out how to get his money back from "this failing business." He would go to John and gripe about the fact that Peter didn't know what he was doing. They both agreed that Peter was a lousy fisherman, but neither one of them actually did much to change the situation.

John ultimately gave up on the job and went down the beach looking for another boat. James stayed with the company, but he wasn't happy. 

Peter was so busy mending nets, sails, and rigging that it left little time to actually do any fishing. He was overwhelmed. He even began to doubt his ability to fish. After all if he were a better fisherman the company would be riding high on the waves of success instead of wallowing in the shallows of the shore.

--- What made the difference? ---

OWNERSHIP

Peter, James and John took ownership in the fishing company. They knew that they were each responsible for making the company successful. When something went wrong they didn't grouse and backbite, they put themselves in a position to react to the need. 

With the Peter's Fishing Company the only one that took action was the owner of the company. He was overwhelmed by the amount of things he had to do while everyone else just sat back and complained. James and John didn't have a sense of ownership. John in particular new that if this job didn't work out, there was always another boat he could sail on.

--- What does all this mean? ---

The church needs all hands working to be all that God wants it to be. Most churches today are more like Peter's Fishing Company. The pastor is so busy trying to make things work and keep people happy that he doesn't have time to prepare fresh messages, or reach out to the lost in the community. 

The membership of the church is often divided between those who are satisfied to sit back or even jump to another church and those who have made just enough investment to keep them coming back. Neither of these groups have a sense of ownership. They don't say, "What can I do to make this work." Instead they talk behind the preacher's back. They fuss and fume over the littlest things. And they do nothing to attract new people to the church. In fact their actions are seen by their friends and neighbors, who react by staying away. They have enough hassles in life; they don't need the additional drama.

But when the members take ownership, they willingly volunteer when there is a need for action and give so that the church never finds itself in financial difficulties. The ministries of the church are blessed. The pastor has time to prepare messages that are insightful and inspiring. People outside the church see the harmony and love exhibited by the members and say, "I would like to be a part of that church."

Don't you think it is time to take ownership in your church? What difference would it make if all the members of your church had this attitude? 

Matthew 4:19 (NASB77) And He said to them, " Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 

I believe that our churches would be filled and overflowing with people seeking a relationship with the Lord that is like what they see in us.

Ask yourself today are you an owner, an investor, or a hired hand in your church? If you are not an owner, ask yourself "Why not?" Then do whatever it takes to make the Church a family that honors the Lord in all that she does.