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Written by: Jayna Coppedge

I know many experienced teachers despise attending planning meetings. It is true you can get things done more quickly if you are left alone to prepare. BUT then you are not training the inexperienced, you are missing-out on creative ideas; and you are not following the biblical principle of community.

God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are always in communion with one another. They depend and submit to each other. This is the pattern for a Jesus-follower. If I am to reach spiritual maturity, I must be in fellowship with not only God, but also other Christians. This contact is not merely sitting in the same room as other believers, it is getting involved in one another’s lives.

Satan hates community. He wants us to stay away from the pack. When we are alone, we are more easily attacked. He suggests either, “You are not good enough to run with the herd. Disengage, you have nothing to offer.” Or: “You know all that; the way you’ve been teaching is great. Don’t waste your time.”

Our Christian growth is stunted when we are too prideful to admit we need help, or too arrogant to listen to new ideas. When we are willing to be vulnerable and humble we will advance. It takes courage to attempt new projects. Yes, maybe that didn’t work five years ago, but the children and circumstances are not the same.

A good leader is willing to let others learn from their mistakes, even when it means having to help them with the clean-up. You may be right, and the other teacher’s glitter project may turn out to be a disaster. Many times, however, I discover I am not all-knowing and what I thought would fail, succeeds. Regardless of the outcome, I am modeling flexibility and the hunger to improve.

“He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” (Mark 14:33, 34 NIV) God’s perfect Son leaned on his followers for strength. Jesus described his sorrow; yet his leadership was not hampered. My model, my Savior, was humble enough to say, “I need you here with me..” Relying on people is not a sin or a sign of faithlessness.

Living in community is risky. Peter betrayed Jesus, Mark failed Paul. I am sorry if you have been hurt or disappointed by an immature Christian. Do not let that keep you from depending on others. Satan knows the power released when believers unite. “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12b NIV) Everyone benefits from participating in planning meetings; because there is power in community. A helpful video is “How to Have Great Worker’s Meetings”

Find an example of Mr. Mark’s Five-Minute Meet up on our Resource Page.

Jayna Coppedge’s blog is “A Woman Trusting God.” If you enjoyed this post you may like “Elijah Trained Elisha; Who Are You Mentoring”. She is currently writing a book about Elijah and Elisha. Invite her to speak at your next retreat, parenting seminar, or teacher training event.

 

 

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