Making Passion a Priority

Have you heard of the “Great Resignation?” According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 47 million Americans voluntarily quit their jobs in 2021. This unprecedented mass exit from the workforce is suspected of being spurred on by COVID-19.

As the unemployment rate decreases and job openings increase, millions of people continue leaving their jobs for better pastures. This situation in the secular workforce has caused me to wonder: Could the “Great Resignation” ever occur in the church?

We may never truly know why millions of people are leaving their jobs. But I do believe their decision is related to their passion, or lack thereof, for their work. Simply put: They chose passion over position.

Which begs other questions: Could they also lose passion for other things? Could they, for instance, lose passion for Christ? Or lose passion for the local church?

I think the answer to these tough questions are all “yes.” Here are three ways pastors and church leaders can help their members make their passion a priority – and keep them plugged into their faith.

Help identify their passion

We need to find ways as the church to affirm people’s passion both outside and inside of the church. When was the last time you encouraged your congregation and those connected to your ministry to take a spiritual gifts assessment?

Has your church ever provided a class to help your members identify their passions. Such a study session would help them identify what they believe God is calling them to do.

Church members can do more and should do more than usher or sing in the choir. Serving in the parking lot ministry or somewhere else in the church is critical. But what else has God designed them to do?

Help ignite their passion

To help members make their passion a priority, the next step is just as important: Help ignite that passion.

Can you remember back when you first heard of the goodness of God and how it impacted your life? Like many of us, you were probably studying and reading, serving, and searching for new ways to move your newfound love forward.

Maybe you weren’t fully sharing your newfound beliefs with others just yet, but you still wanted to know more for yourself.

I liken it to having a favorite dish at your favorite restaurant. No matter the season or the time of day, you will be excited about going to the restaurant and eating that dish. What are some ways you can ignite your members’ passion?

Help influence the culture with their passion

My prayer is that once church members can identify and ignite their passion, the next move will be to use it to influence the culture.

Can you imagine if our congregations allowed their passion to inspire and lead others in the right direction?

What if the local basketball coach who is a member of your congregation used her passion for basketball to influence her players in the game and in the things of Christ?

What if the local barber or the local fast-food manager who belonged to your church did the same? Instead of the Great Resignation, the impact and change could lead to a great explosion of the faith!

How are you helping your congregation and community make their passion a priority?