by Zac Veron

The hardest lesson many ministers learn is that, ultimately, there is nothing you can do to get another person to commit. Commitment requires freedom of choice. Commitment is very personal. Efforts to force commitment will, at best, foster involvement.

It is time Anglican ministers faced up to this " that there is a world of difference between commitment and involvement. Think bacon and eggs. The chicken is involved. The pig is committed!

A committed person brings an energy, passion, and excitement that cannot be generated by those who are just involved. A group of people truly committed to a common vision is an awesome force. They can accomplish the seemingly impossible.

Our diocese has a vision " to see 10 per cent of the population in Bible based churches. Involved people only accept the vision. People who are committed truly want the vision. It drives them on.

Some ministers are justifiably wary of whether the energy released through commitment can be controlled and directed. If the "rules of the game' stand in the way of achieving the vision, a committed person will find ways to change the "rules' so that the game can surge ahead. Many ministers are wary of that sort of "commitment'.

Others ministers are simply not trained to lead churches beyond involvement. So, we content ourselves with moving people up the involvement ladder.

So how can ministers encourage church members to be genuinely committed? We must pray. We must teach them biblical Christianity. We must present authentic Christianity as a life that revolves around the local church because it first revolves around Jesus Christ who has called each Christian to live his purpose. (not for careers, hobbies or families.)

Ministers must find opportunities which give our members the chance to fit their lives around God's purposes. For example ask a dozen church members to take a week off work next year to help you conduct a week of mission in your local area. Suggest to those members who can afford to cut the number of days they work in their profession to devote time to church ministries. And foster a church environment where some women do not automatically go back to full-time work after their children go to school, but teach scripture, children's ministry, visit nursing homes, and start Bible studies for their neighbours.

If you are an "ordinary' Christian who feels unprepared for this level of ministry, why not take nine months off work to study at Moore College or the Youthworks college in order to be more fully equipped to serve?

What should be the level of commitment to our church? Only as great as the commitment God showed us; the God we believe in and live for. And only as deep as our belief in God's coming judgment, separating us for eternity from our lost neighbours, friends and relatives. 

That's my view from the trenches.

This is the third in a series of four columns. Next month (June), "The high price of commitment'.

The Rev Zac Veron is Senior Minister of St George North Anglican Church.