Catering to Consumers with Eye-Candy
Men Wanted for a Hazardous Journey
The British Antarctic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922), placed the following advertisement in London newspapers in 1900 in preparation for the National Antarctic Expedition—which subsequently failed to reach the South Pole
“MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”—Ernest Shackleton
Shackleton later said of his call for volunteers that, “It seemed as though all the men in Great Britain were determined to accompany me, the response was so overwhelming.”
God’s People Wanted for an Arduous Journey
I’m convinced that we ask too little of God’s people. Gone are the days when, without apology, we summoned God’s people to an arduous journey like Ernest Shackleton. The ways we typically invite people to do church and be the church are not compelling enough. We cater to consumers with eye-candy instead of challenging Christians to live courageously for Christ.
What if, together as a congregation, we searched God’s Word for His compelling mission, vision, passion, and commission for our church in our community? What if we did it in a Christ-focused, other-centered, biblically-based manner that challenged and rallied people like Shackleton did? I wonder if such a calling might sound like this.
“GOD’S PEOPLE WANTED FOR ARDUOUS JOURNEY. No human wages, but the internal reward of joy and the eternal reward of hearing, ‘Well done!’ Bitter cold and long months of complete darkness because servanthood is lonely. Safe return of your spirit guaranteed. Complete safety doubtful because in this world we will have tribulation, and all who attempt to lead a godly life will be persecuted. Honor and recognition guaranteed from God. Henceforth there is laid up for you the crown of righteousness.”—Your Elders
Join the Conversation
Why is Ernest Shackleton better at challenging people to servanthood than the church is?
