A couple of weeks ago, I read an article by someone I respect who argued that pastors burn out trying to get too many of their members to be difference-makers. He said that only 10% of people actually make a difference and that pastors shouldn’t be “trying to get blood from a turnip” by urging the other 90% to make a difference.

I couldn’t disagree more on several counts. First, I think pastors burn out precisely because they DON’T encourage their members to do ministry – many pastors try to do everything themselves. And while I agree that many people will not be leaders, I strongly believe in, as I’ve written many times, “Everyone on the Wall.” Everyone involved. The Apostle Paul certainly seemed to believe that:

We comforted and encouraged you and challenged you to adopt a lifestyle worthy of God, who invites you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12, TPT)

Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion in ministry to labor with a tireless intensity, with his power flowing through me, to present to every believer the revelation of being his perfect one in Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1.28, TPT)

The military certainly expects competence from every member, whatever their level. They have to execute their job correctly AND conduct themselves appropriately. EVERY member. Nehemiah was the leader and vision caster, but EVERYONE was on the wall (see Nehemiah chapter 3).

My friend and former pastor John Ed Mathison agrees. Check out his recent 1-minute video which ends with the challenge to “be a difference-maker.”

The Thessalonians seemed to be difference makers, and I’ll have a bit more to say about that tomorrow:

For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1.8 – 10, ESV)