Bruce had been managing this construction site as foreman for the past 8 months. Working as the General Contractor on these large commercial sites was always a challenge, but today had been more physically demanding. About 10am a tough, young, loud-mouthed worker named Colton had shown up for the first time. While he had plenty of guys that fit this description working on his crew, this guy had something else. Instead of a hammer, hard hat, and tool belt, he had shown up with a wrecking bar and other tools for demolition. He hadn’t started by asking where his services might be needed. He began by informing the foreman that, in his opinion, they were building the wrong building, and that the best thing they could do would be to tear the place down. He suggested that the workers should take a vote on what kind of building THEY would like to build instead.
Bruce was incredulous. This kid had no idea how to build anything but here he was with his wrecking bar to start dismantling the structure his crew had spent months working so hard to assemble. “Not on my watch!” he bellowed as a couple of trusty union carpenters helped Colton and his wrecking bar to his truck, evicting him from the jobsite. “No one is welcome to show up here and to tear things apart, Bruce called after him, “Come back when you’ve actually helped to build something!”
I meet a lot of bright young people, and I love their energy. I enjoy talking with them, and I’m encouraged that over the years we have welcomed over 100 apprentices and interns to our various “jobsites.” I have supervised them, and many are working in ministries today using their skills to build the Kingdom. Together we have learned much, and I am thankful for their help.
Occasionally, I get the chance to show up on someone else’s “jobsite.” I do my best to understand what they are building, to ask good questions, and to observe their methods and team dynamics. I am continually intrigued by the variety of ways there are to “build” both individually and organizationally.
Duncan Prior corresponds with incarcerated youth and sends them Bible lessons to complete. Eddie Chapman is uses his farming skills to help us develop and train leaders at Victory Acres. Dr. Stephen Gibson, President of EFM, is using his skills as an organizer and educator to develop people and prove Biblical education opportunities to leaders around the world.
We are all different, and God can use those differences. When we find someone that is doing things differently, how do we react? Do we approach the situation as a student, endeavouring to learn what we don’t know and find what we might learn? I’m sorry to say that has not always been the case. Looking back, I can see times where I should have been more careful with my tone or my words when evaluating the challenges of others. While I meant to help, I’m not sure that is the feeling with which I left them. In fact, they may have felt like I showed up with my wrecking bar.
Time and experience have a way of providing perspective and even a bit of self-awareness. I have watched eager young people (not unlike my younger self) miss out on opportunities because they didn’t “show up to build.” While they may have had good ideas, they had not yet earned the right to be heard or expressed those ideas with a humble, helpful spirit.
In talking with one African American pastor, he expressed it this way, “These young brothers need to learn to sit, to soak, and to serve.” There is great wisdom in this model of apprenticeship. To learn to build from others who have experience by being present and watching their life and actions, to sit and listen instead of talking or being up front, and to find ways to serve their “master craftsman.”
A sign of wisdom is the ability to receive instruction and correction – teachability. All wise leaders should be open to it, but there is a fine line between constructive criticism and undermining God-given leadership.
Perhaps there is much “building” that doesn’t need to happen. Perhaps there are buildings that would be better left unbuilt. Perhaps the design is unesthetic or ill-advised. Perhaps if you had been on the planning committee, you might have chosen different colors. But you weren’t on that committee. Trusting that the powers that be are ordained by God and that God in His sovereignty knew what this church, business, or organization needed at this moment is an act of faith. God has provided checks and balances to mitigate evil and to promote what is good. Sometimes our voice to expose evil can be part of that redemptive process God has provided. But even then, it should be with the intention of building up.
So what can you do? More than you might think! Run for office. Ask your pastor, “How can I help?” Show up at your local school board meeting. Volunteer at a local nursing home. Volunteer to read character building stories to children at your local library. Invite your neighbor over for supper. Instigate a neighborhood block party. Make cookies for your mail carrier or your garbage collecter. Plant a garden and share the produce. Write a letter to the editor. Show up early to help. Care. Call. Listen. There are hundreds of ways that you can use your time and talents redemptively to build. Determine that wherever God places you, you’re going to show up to build.
The Gathering at Victory Acres 