What Our Actions Say about Our Theology

Ben Reed shares what he learned while looking for aluminum pans

by Amy Jackson

Let's face it—most leaders are really busy people. We are not only small-group leaders, but also parents, sisters, brothers, friends, teachers, construction workers, pastors, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers (okay, maybe not that last one). All that to say, leading our weekly small group is usually not the only thing we have going on. And sometimes we get caught up in the busy-ness and forget about the mission: people.

When I worked on a church staff, I heard more than a few pastors tell me that ministry would be super easy if it weren't for the people (I admit I agreed some days!). But think about it. If it weren't for the people, there wouldn't be ministry.

Ben Reed, a writer for SmallGroups.com, recently wrote on his blog that the way we treat people actually reveals our theology. Makes you wonder what your actions are revealing, doesn't it? Read his post, and let us know what you think below.

What have your actions been revealing about your theology? And how do you want to change?

posted by Amy Jackson on February 16, 2012 8:00 AM

Related Tags: Ben Reed, Busyness

Comments

According to a study by the Barna Group entitled, “Surprisingly Few Adults Outside of Christianity Have Positive Views of Christians,” evangelicals rated tenth out of eleven groups on positive impression, beating out only prostitutes. Less than half the respondents had a favorable impression of ministers and less than a third gave born again Christians a thumbs-up. I wonder what the theology of most church going Christians is?

My own son was molested by a TEAM missionary. The same man molested four other boys. TEAM refuses to compensate any of the families for the enormous losses they suffered as a result of their negligence. I am convinced that at the judgment day I will stand alongside Christ with my son and the families of the other boys as Jesus pronounces sentence on TEAM just as the Ninevites will rise up in judgment against the religious leaders of Jesus' day.

Not a single brother or sister has ever helped bear my burden as the Bible commands. I can tell you what their theology is. It's the theology of me.

Good post, Amy. I agree that the way we treat people often exposes our personal theology. I think that's what they call "practical theology." But I'm also learning that the way we treat people reveals some ways we've learned to relate that may be pretty deeply ingrained within us. Many of us have become self-deceived, what one book calls in the box thinking. I'm currently reading "Leadership and Self-Deception" (The Arbinger Institute, Bettett-Koehler Publishers, 2010), a book I wish I would have been written 20 years ago! It would have helped me in my ministry and family life. I'm glad I'm reading it now. It was written for business leaders, but has a lot of application for anyone who is involved in relationships ... that's everyone. I especially like the applications to leading a small group or a church.

Mike, you've brought up a great point: sometimes our actions are deeply ingrained patterns. It can be extremely difficult to recognize those patterns for what they are. Thanks for sharing!