MIDDLE GROUND

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 these words: "In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time: so try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way."

Solomon is proposing a priniciple that a life lived in some kind of balance while fearing God is the pathway to success.

A question we all have to answer then is this: Where do we find middle ground in our lives? Balanced living seems to be a pretty illusive concept in our culture.

Every pastor especially needs to find that balance or the church can quickly impact their equilibrium.

I believe the church is more demanding than ever before. Let me share some lines from my book: "People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we live in a culture of gratification and fulfillment. What's in it for me? This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply and demand becomes the governing principle. As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for the competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula. Pretty soon, the man of God is driven in ministry. the tail is now wagging the dog."

Does this sound like a pastor who has found middle ground? Is the tail wagging the dog in your life? Where are you out of balance?