Barnabas Ministries UK

                                         Dr. John Andrews

DON’T BE A MUPPET!

Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie and the Great Conzo are all names imprinted on my mind having grown up under the influence of Jim Henson’s The Muppet Show.  I used to look forward to the weekly instalment and to this day, still enjoy watching A Muppet’s Christmas Carol during the festive season.  I confess my favourite muppet was Animal.  Each week he would attempt to play calmly on the drums but I knew that sooner or later he would cast off all restraint and thrash the drums within an inch of their life!    As a child it was easy to believe that Kermit or Miss Piggy were actually talking to me, but as I grew older of course, I discovered that these muppets that seemed so real and engaging were in fact puppets operated or manipulated by somebody else.

I believe as leaders we face two subtle but dangerous challenges as we serve Jesus and His Church, the first is not to become a muppet and the second not to produce muppets. 

1.       DON’T BECOME A MUPPET

As leaders it is too easy to simply repeat what the expert says or copy the latest success story.  Too often we’re ready to sell the ranch on things we don’t even fully understand, and are willing to give away our journey for the latest show in town or a ‘can’t possibly fail to grow your church’ idea that everyone is talking about.  Of course as leaders we must be committed to learning, listening and changing, but any such change must take place on the basis of honest personal conviction, not just because someone else said it or does it.

Here is some muppet-proof advice:

·         If you don’t own it – don’t try and sell it

·         If you can’t see it – don’t say it

·         If you haven’t got it – don’t fake it

2.      DON’T SETTLE FOR PRODUCING MUPPETS

One of the things I love about Jesus was His ability to lead people without crushing their humanity, individuality or creativity.  Jesus gave strong leadership and yet at the same time made room for choice.  He was always asking questions of His would-be followers, not because He didn’t know the answers, but because He was probing for the truth in them, searching for the reality they lived in.  ‘Peter, everyone’s leaving, do you want to leave too?’ – Jn.6:66; ‘You’ve told Me who the people say I am, but what about you, who do you say I am?’ – Mt.16:13-15.  Jesus could have easily manipulated a group of young people into being muppets, but that would never have spread the Kingdom or helped Him build His Church.  Instead Jesus uncompromisingly pitched for followers.

How do we know if we’ve got muppets or followers? 

Here are a few clues that might help.

·       Muppets can only say what others think – followers learn to think for themselves

·       Muppets look good but lack substance – followers dig deep and build on rock

·       Muppets always live in the world of need – followers’ progress to maturity and interdependence

As a leader, have the courage to be yourself and make an honest journey, and have the courage to go for the freedom found in true follower-ship and not muppetry. 

I like the muppets – but I don’t want to be one!