Have You Ever Felt Like an Investment?
June 14, 2009
One thing I mentioned Sunday as we continue to press and deconstruct the idea of “Relational Ministry” is that our language truly reflects our meaning and intentions…even when we’re not aware of it. One of the words I’ve always used and heard used in teaching, training, and discussing ministry is a form of the word “investment”.
“I’m going to invest in him.”
“We’re investing in kids this summer”.
“I really want to invest in you.”
The word “investment” is a financial term that comes from the world of finances and banking (it’s always a warning sign when we flippantly use financial metaphors to discuss human relationships). Investment specifically refer to getting a return on something we put in. We invest when we expect something in return.
What do we mean when we say we’re going to “invest” in a person? Usually we mean that we’re willing to pour a certain amount of time and energy into a person with the expectation that we will see a certain result from our efforts. We often justify this because the return we’re going for is something good (i.e. accepting Jesus, etc). Maybe the return is good – but is this truly relationship? Is this a healthy practice? Is this what God does with us?
As I mentioned Sunday, I don’t know if I’ve ever had a relationship with a church or para-church organization when I didn’t feel like an investment of sorts/”invested in”. I am invited into relationship but only with the understanding that the relationship will provide a certain return. Although having people “invest” in you often feels affirming and strokes the ego (“you think enough of my potential that you’re willing to pour into me?”), it inevitably leaves us feeling rather used and abandoned.
Is investment what happened through the incarnation?
I offer the following quote to provoke the imagination and discussion:
“The incarnation is not about influence but about accompaniment” (Andrew Root)
Hi Jon-
Greetings from Costa Rica! I was thinking about Beggar’s this morning and decided to check out the blog. I definitely struggle with the term investment and the coldness of that concept. When working w/ a para-church ministry, I remember being asked to no longer invest in one woman, Maria, who I really enjoyed and cared about. Maria was not producing the “return” my church leaders desired ( the return being attending the sunday evening Bible study). So, I was asked to “invest” in another woman who would be a more likely attendee at our study. I remember feeling so distraught as I wondered how I would explain to Maria that we could no longer work on her English together. Maria hoped to speak more fluent English so that she could gain a higher position at the Drury Inn and Suites and better provide for her son. In the eyes of my leaders, I guess helping her achieve that dream wasn’t as godly of a work as guiding her through the Romans Road at Bible study would be. I couldn’t explain to her why I couldn’t spend my “ministry hours” on her anymore. Of course, my leader told me I could spend time with Maria during my free time; but, obviously, when you’re working in a para-church organization, there really isn’t much free time to spare. Your post just really reminded me of that experience and many others. Take care!
Allie – great to hear from you! Thanks for sharing the story – how heartbreaking. Nevertheless, a story many of us can probably relate to in one way or another.
What a quote – good post! I will be wrestling with this one for a bit.
JP