No Expertise Required

To the unemployed or underemployed these are sweet sounding words aren’t they? After another unsuccessful interview what a relief to finally come across a classified add that has this as its title! I’ve been thinking about this phrase lately because I had a conversation over the phone this week with someone who is part of our church that told me they thought we prefer to have “experts” leading ministry. As I heard them express their heart I was saddened because I imagined they felt the same kind of discouragement that a job-hunter can feel. I heard them saying “I feel that I need not apply for this job because I’m not good enough to be of any use to this church or perhaps even to God.”

Although nothing could be further from the truth, I realized that at times we can perpetuate this myth as a church by how we do things. But if we read the Gospel accounts of the life of Christ there is no doubt that in choosing the disciples Jesus seems to be showing us that “no expertise” is required to follow Him in mission. Just think of the kind of people He chose. One might even argue that Jesus in fact purposefully chose the non-expert to help people see God at work. Consider Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1:26ff:

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

So be encouraged. No expertise is required.

What do you think about this idea? Doesn't it seem counter-intuitive to the world? Do you think we can really live this out? Won't it be too messy?

Gary