The difference between bringing your A-Game and your B-Game is entirely your state of mind, as demonstrated by this mathematical constant, called Fox’s Law:

P=E/C

Production is equal to efficiency divided by complacency.  When we grow complacent or comfortable wherever we are, our efficiency suffers and therefore, production drops.  On this platform, we are called to be leaders, we are called to honor God in everything that we do, we are called to use the gifts that God has given us.  When we neglect to do these things to the best of our ability, we dishonor the people which we are leading, we dishonor the platform on which we serve, and we dishonor the God who gave us all of those things in the first place.  God has entrusted this platform to us- doesn’t it make sense that we should always strive to do the best that we can do in all things, at all times?  That is, ultimately, what He has asked of us.  In fact, that’s exactly what the Jesus commands us to do.

John 15:1-2 and 4 says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful… Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”  

This verse hits home with me personally, because I have a habit of falling into egotism and self-reliance.  I have to make a sincere effort to not fall into arrogance and complacency on a weekly basis, and have eaten more than my fair share of humble pie because I have failed in that struggle before- a lot.  When you become complacent, you bring your B-Game, and when you bring your B-Game, the entire ministry suffers.  It’s not fair to everyone else on your team, it’s not fair for the people whom you serve, it’s not fair for your God.

A man that I love and and respect beyond measure has created a culture of both self- and group-building.  It’s a culture that inspires and challenges us to grow and individually, as well as grow as a unit and a team.  When we know that personal growth is happening within the team, the team itself grows, betters itself, and becomes something even greater.  It’s just something that we do here at Generation, and that I would encourage you to adopt for your ministries, is reflect upon a few short phrases.

Next Level – How can you take what you do to the next level?  How can you grow and improve?  Ask yourself, “how can I take my [insert role or function here] to the next level?”  Ask yourself, “What can I do to take this ministry to the next level?” Ask yourself, “How can we make this team next level?” Encourage others with, “You are next level.”

Keep it 100 – Are you functioning at your best?  What can you do to keep yourself at 100%?  What can you do to keep your team operating at 100%?

Heart for the House – Humility is a necessity for us.  When we believe that any one job in the ministry is beneath us or that one is more important than another, than we don’t belong there.  Worship leader, FOH engineer, musicians, tech personnel, pastor, custodian… they’re all of equal importance to the ministry and are equal in the eyes of God.  As leaders, we must humble ourselves and accept that.  We must have servant’s hearts, we must have a heart for the house.

For Such a Time as This – Esther 4:14 says, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”  Where we live, where we eat, where we go to church, where we work, where we serve… we are all called there for such a time as this.  We are there because that’s where God has placed us.  He’s placed you here, wherever “here” is, for a reason: for His gain, for His glory, for His purpose.  Take comfort in knowing that you have been called for a reason, that God is working through you, and that God’s not done with you yet.

I want to leave you with encouragement.  Be faithful in your service, and be faithful to your God.  After all, He has called you to where you are for such a time as this, requires you to have a heart for His house, function at 100%, and take your ministry to the next level.  Your faith will be rewarded, as it always has been.

“And what more shall I say?  I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jepthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouth of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; who’s weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.  Women received back their dead, raised to life again.  There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated- the world was not worthy of them.  They wandered the deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”  Hebrews 11:32-40.