Taking responsibility

Many years ago, when I was in college, I led several ministry teams for our Baptist Student Union.

In addition to our creative ministry teams (which featured drama, music, interpretative movement, etc.), we also routinely sent out teams of students to lead lock-ins, revivals and disciple now weekends.  As the outreach coordinator, I was ultimately responsible for the quality of the teams, the people serving on them and the job that was done.

In one particular instance, we failed miserably.  Our team was set to lead a lock-in.  We started off with poor directions to the church.  We got lost, which made us late for our appointment.  When we arrived, we were ill prepared for the event and it took us time to get organized.  We also had an incident with one of our team members and a girl in the youth group.

It was not our finest hour.

On Monday, following the event, I got called into my campus minister's office.  He was upset, but he never yelled.  We both had to write letters of apologies, call the youth minister and fore go the fee we were being paid.  I had to take responsibility for the event, including not allowing one of the team members to participate in any more events.

As the leader, I had to take responsibility for my failures.

As human beings, we have to take responsibility for our sins.

At some point, a person recognizes their sinfulness.  They know right from wrong and simply chose to do wrong.  It doesn't make them evil.  It does make them a sinner.

When we fall short, we have to take the responsibility of confession, repentance and restoration.  We have to own up to our mistakes and give Jesus control of our lives. 

Similarly, we have a responsibility to share the Gospel.  We are called to tell others about Jesus.  As disciples of Christ, we are expected to minister to others and tell them about Jesus.  That is our responsibility.

Take responsibility.  Share Jesus.  Save others.  It's what we're called to do. 

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