Cadence is important. If you have ever watched a military movie, then you have been given some brief insight into the effect that cadence has on an individual and on a unit. The more time and effort that the troop shares on completing common tasks, the more unified they become, and the more they become efficient. The cadence is a song of call and response, that sets the rhythm or pace of the individuals working together. If you have ever heard a large group of soldiers marching together there is a distinct sound that lets everyone know that there is a unified force approaching. The song in for form of a call and response my actually be about a variety of topics, but most times it is setting the mental mode of operation for the task to be accomplish or telling how the needed attention to a specific detail, and what is expected as an outcome.
Cadence is learned over time, but eventually comes naturally to the soldiers as they bond in common efforts of accomplishment. Everything is shifted if there is just one person unable to keep the pace or they rhythm, in this case, the other soldiers demand that individual struggling step in time. Why? Because it is a reflection on the entire unit. Not only when marching, but the thought is that it will manifest in other areas of the work that the unit must do at a later time. The success and survival of the entire unit depends on knowing that each individual is invested in giving their best to what ever challenges may come. This is where trust and dependability unit the individuals. And a bond is created that grows with time and based on track record.
I speak of cadence in a military sense because that is a best example of how working as a unified group can be productive and efficient. But in truth there are a lot of situations where cadence manifest itself, just all are not as formally recognized as that of a military march. In life there are many situations that require a form of cadence call. If you have ever seen a wedding celebration where the attendants were doing the 'Electric Slide'- then you have seen this same concept in action. Trust me when I say, if you want to make enemies in a social setting- be the person who is not with the rhythm of the song or who is turning the wrong way at the wrong time. Why? Because you are ruining it for everyone. It is fun. But it has to be done the way that it has to be done. Now there are those who are so good at this line dance that they can face the wrong direction or add extra moves to the dance, and still stay in the rhythm and movement of the dance. This adds to the fun, unless that person is beside the person who doesnt know what they are doing, because it will completely confuse the new learner. When the others in the line dance are friendly enough, they will guide the new person, talk them through and help them get in step. Most of the time, the goal is for everyone to have a good time. But there will be those who will just simple tell the person who just cant get in the step to remove their inability from the line dance because they are messing up the fun for everyone.
Now let me carry this concept over to ministry. When a person in ministry goes to far astray, others in ministry sort of take it personal simply because they dont want what another has done to be a reflection on them or their work in ministry. We can all think of some public scandals related to someone in ministry, and we know the ripple effect this has on us all. One of the questions asked and some times verbalized about such situations is where are those close to this person? And why didnt they help the person stay on track before the situation got so out of hand?
Over time it become more and more clear to me that we all need each other in some way, shape, form or fashion. Many of us dont want to admit it or own it. But in truth alone is not God's plan. The entire Bible is representative of life within a sense of community. Yes, individuals have to take on certain task, at times, alone or with minimal help, but for the most part there is an outcome that is for the entire community.
I dont know if the day will ever come when every Christian will be supportive of women in leadership ministry, just like every individual will not be a soldier in the military. Let me tell the truth - I am sure that everyone will not agree on this matter. If you need proof, just look at all of the differing opinions about Communion. If you want to talk yourself in circles for a while with no conclusion to the matter, talk with people who have differing thoughts about who, when, how often, what should be the liquid, etc...........Something as foundational as the Eucharist has the ability to bring out a variety of thought about the details. We have to realize that we will not agree on every single detail, but we should all be focused on the same Christ.
To those who know of their calling, it is important to have other friends who are on the same journey, and who understand your motives and desire to do great work for the Kingdom of God. You cant give you time and energy to those who are in opposition. Surround yourself with people who are willing to learn to walk in cadence for the Kingdom of God and in the effort to win lost souls.
Cadence is learned over time, but eventually comes naturally to the soldiers as they bond in common efforts of accomplishment. Everything is shifted if there is just one person unable to keep the pace or they rhythm, in this case, the other soldiers demand that individual struggling step in time. Why? Because it is a reflection on the entire unit. Not only when marching, but the thought is that it will manifest in other areas of the work that the unit must do at a later time. The success and survival of the entire unit depends on knowing that each individual is invested in giving their best to what ever challenges may come. This is where trust and dependability unit the individuals. And a bond is created that grows with time and based on track record.
I speak of cadence in a military sense because that is a best example of how working as a unified group can be productive and efficient. But in truth there are a lot of situations where cadence manifest itself, just all are not as formally recognized as that of a military march. In life there are many situations that require a form of cadence call. If you have ever seen a wedding celebration where the attendants were doing the 'Electric Slide'- then you have seen this same concept in action. Trust me when I say, if you want to make enemies in a social setting- be the person who is not with the rhythm of the song or who is turning the wrong way at the wrong time. Why? Because you are ruining it for everyone. It is fun. But it has to be done the way that it has to be done. Now there are those who are so good at this line dance that they can face the wrong direction or add extra moves to the dance, and still stay in the rhythm and movement of the dance. This adds to the fun, unless that person is beside the person who doesnt know what they are doing, because it will completely confuse the new learner. When the others in the line dance are friendly enough, they will guide the new person, talk them through and help them get in step. Most of the time, the goal is for everyone to have a good time. But there will be those who will just simple tell the person who just cant get in the step to remove their inability from the line dance because they are messing up the fun for everyone.
Now let me carry this concept over to ministry. When a person in ministry goes to far astray, others in ministry sort of take it personal simply because they dont want what another has done to be a reflection on them or their work in ministry. We can all think of some public scandals related to someone in ministry, and we know the ripple effect this has on us all. One of the questions asked and some times verbalized about such situations is where are those close to this person? And why didnt they help the person stay on track before the situation got so out of hand?
Over time it become more and more clear to me that we all need each other in some way, shape, form or fashion. Many of us dont want to admit it or own it. But in truth alone is not God's plan. The entire Bible is representative of life within a sense of community. Yes, individuals have to take on certain task, at times, alone or with minimal help, but for the most part there is an outcome that is for the entire community.
I dont know if the day will ever come when every Christian will be supportive of women in leadership ministry, just like every individual will not be a soldier in the military. Let me tell the truth - I am sure that everyone will not agree on this matter. If you need proof, just look at all of the differing opinions about Communion. If you want to talk yourself in circles for a while with no conclusion to the matter, talk with people who have differing thoughts about who, when, how often, what should be the liquid, etc...........Something as foundational as the Eucharist has the ability to bring out a variety of thought about the details. We have to realize that we will not agree on every single detail, but we should all be focused on the same Christ.
To those who know of their calling, it is important to have other friends who are on the same journey, and who understand your motives and desire to do great work for the Kingdom of God. You cant give you time and energy to those who are in opposition. Surround yourself with people who are willing to learn to walk in cadence for the Kingdom of God and in the effort to win lost souls.
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