There is a phrase that is heard often in church circles. It’s used as a way to include lots of people without the expectation of growth and/or excellence. It’s been said in response to perceptions of perfection.
“Well…it’s good enough.”
Can I say that I don’t like this phrase? I don’t like it because I believe that excellence is vitally important. Excellence doesn’t mean perfection, but that God deserves our best in whatever we set our mind and strength to (1 Cor. 10:31).
If worship is for us, then ‘good enough’ is fine.
But, it’s not.
Excellence requires effort and expectation. It is characterized by education and encouragement. Excellence doesn’t just happen. There is work involved. Sometimes that work is more on the part of the leader as an encourager and equipper or in the setting of appropriate standards and benchmarks. Sometimes that work is on the part of an individual to invest, learn, and grow in response to the opportunities available and the desire to grow in the gifts and abilities from God.
On the other hand, ‘good enough’ fosters mediocrity and selfishness. It focuses on self instead of the greatness of our Lord. It often grows out of a desire for comfort and ease. God addressed this attitude with the Israelites through the prophet Malachi in Malachi 1:6-14.
Excellence isn’t going to be the same for everyone. It’s not defined by what the big, ‘successful’ church down the street is doing. It’s determined by the people, gifts, talents, resources, and abilities God has placed in a local church as a starting point and grows from there.
For me, the definition of an ‘excellent’ sermon is different today than when I started in ministry 10+ years ago. I’ve grown in skill, understanding, and the ability to communicate. (Not to mention the ability to talk more slowly.) The determination of excellence for the worship team in my first church was different than for the worship team in my last church.
I understand there are times when the best starting point of a worship or ministry team may indeed be the ‘good enough’ level due to a variety of factors. However, being content at ‘good enough’ instead of challenging to grow is not good. The fear that someone will stop serving if we have some expectations isn’t leadership or discipleship, it’s settling for what man can do instead of what God wants to do.
If we believe in the empowering of the Holy Spirit and that God knits His church together, then why do we settle for good enough? Why don’t we intentionally help people find the opportunity of ministry where, instead of being good enough, it’s awesome?
I’ll leave you with this quote from Bill Hybels of WillowCreek Community Church in Chicago.
“Good enough is just not good enough when it comes to honoring God through the Church. In response to his holiness and greatness, in gratitude for his monumental sacrifice for us, our attitude ought to be to pay tribute to him with the best we can offer. Not obsessive perfectionism, but an attitude of excellence that permeates all we do in the Church and in our personal lives. What we do as Christians reflects on the Christ we serve.”
Will you join me in pursuing excellence? However that might look in your specific context?
How do you feel about the idea of ‘good enough’?
Great post! I’m a big proponent that good is not good enough. We internalize greatness by doing things greatly, by putting in the hard work, consistently stepping outside our comfort zone, and taking the extra step. We become mediocre when we settle for good enough. God deserves greatness, so we must never be “fine” with good enough.
Don, thanks for your thoughts. Couldn’t agree more.