Adam McLane

5 Clarifying Questions

As another week begins and another year winds down I hope that you are pausing long enough to reflect on who you have become, who you are becoming, and the trajectory/pace you are taking.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. — Luke 12:28-30

Where have you set your heart?

Ask yourself these questions:

  1. If they stopped paying me to do what I do… would I still do it?
  2. Am I proud of what I’m doing?
  3. Am I doing something worth dying for?
  4. Am I doing something worth living for?
  5. If I were to go back nine years, am I on the path of things I dreamed about for ten years in the future?

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Adam McLane

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7 responses to “5 Clarifying Questions”

  1. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    “If they stopped paying me to do what I do…would I still do it?”

    In a discussion a couple of months ago, a ym buddy of mine (volunteer) asked me this question (I’m full-time paid yp). I really had to take a step back and think about it. I answered in the affirmative. Interestingly, his question proved prophetic. I just found out I’m taking a 30% pay cut. But, it’s good to be in the will of God, ministering where you know he’s called you, and resting in the peace of knowing he will provide. God is good!

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  2. Brit Windel Avatar
    Brit Windel

    @ Tim: Hey Tim, my question i have for you, spurred from reading your comment. Do you know if the upper leadership is also taking a 30% pay cut? just curious if its a team atmosphere or that there is a pecking order of things that get cut, pastors salary being one of those. So i guess another question would be, would you stay when getting a pay cut if no one else was and the pay cut had nothing to do with performance?

    @Adam: Great Questions this morning Question 2 for me really jumped out! am i proud of what I am doing? i would say mostly yes. more so now than in previous ministries where it was about getting the numbers to look like we had a legitimate ministry, with all the bells and whistles of an arcade fun house. I would say I’m proud of the stance in ministry i Take towards things in up holding my integrity in all things, am I proud or ok with where things are in my ministry…no but patient to presevere with God’s grace in seeing where it all comes out.

    Love you brother and love your ministry to those in ministry. Blessings

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  3. adam mclane Avatar
    adam mclane

    @brit- thanks for the love, brother. I loved getting to know you in ATL.

    It sounds a little boastful, I suppose, but I think being proud of what you are doing is a big deal. I remember one job I had… my mom knew I hated it because when she visited, I didn’t take her to my office. I guess the follow-up question to #2 would be, “are you in a hurry to show off your work to the people close to you?”

    Very cool thoughts.

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  4. Brit Windel Avatar
    Brit Windel

    wow thats a tough question. I honestly wrestle with that now. My girlfriend helps out with a great ministry in Loveland, and their youth pastor has all the cool gadgets, great budget (which our budget is pretty good, no complaints at all) great leaders and volunteers, and all the kids coming… i get very jealous and awkward when i bring her around our ministry, because its not as well put together and organized as theirs is. Its a huge humbling factor. I wrote on the sin of comparison last year and needing to revisit it. http://ypguybrit.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/sin-of-comparison/
    but i think thats where most the problem arises is that we compare our small ministries to these massive ministries.

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  5. Daniel Griswold Avatar
    Daniel Griswold

    Good list of questions. I’m proud to be a youth minister, and it is a lifelong endeavor that will inevitably morph and grow from being a director of youth, to a director of youth directors (team oriented equipping) and writing someday when I have time to flesh out my outlines. Youth Ministry needs to be a passion, otherwise, you’ll burn out real quick.

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  6. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    @Brit: Yeah, everyone’s taking a 30% cut. We’re a smaller church – 150, so it’s me, one Lead Pastor, and a part-time worship leader. Again, all 3 taking the cut. It’s not performance based; just tough times for the church, financially. You asked if I’d stay if I took the cut while no one else did. I’d probably argue the logic behind that, but I’d stay. My philosophy is that I’m called to wherever God has called me at a particular time. If I’m fortunate enough to be paid for the ministry, awesome. If not, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m called. Make sense?

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  7. Len Avatar
    Len

    I’m 5 for 5 baby! Good stuff Adam.

    Reply

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