Paper Example on Setting Boundaries in Ministry

Introduction

Human beings have been given a free-will and a chance to determine their fate, especially on the effects of their day to day actions. Believers are also allowed to make choices that will lead to the growth and strengthening of our relationship with God. Hence, this leads to the emergence of boundaries, which helps the Christians grow stronger and establish a firm, assured, and responsible interaction with the ordinary world without causing harm or damaging their spirituality. Boundaries are therefore the invisible and intangible spiritual lines, which determines where our actions and responsibilities begin and end, and the ones that will lead to the accomplishment of the purpose outlined for the believers by God. Setting boundaries in the ministry is essential in defining Christians by highlighting the right and the wrong, helps them determine what to allow and not to let in their lives, determining the extent of responsibilities to others and for themselves, and outlining the nature of God and outlining what He likes, hates, allows, don't allow, plans, and thinks. It can be enhanced by cultivating the ability to have a firm stand on the various issues set as boundaries in the life of a believer and respecting the limits set by other individuals.

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Importance of Setting Boundaries in Ministry

Boundaries are essential in determining what defines the Christians in the sense that it highlights what is right and what is not right for them. It brings the aspect of responsibility by highlighting the parameters that should be kept for him or her to successfully maneuver the world of responsibility. According to Nouwen 31, boundaries assist the believers to identify the duties vested in them, and the same time gives them freedom on the events and activities that are beyond their ownership. Therefore, setting boundaries in the ministry assist the participants to identify actions that rely on their decisions, thus making it possible for them to adequately take care of them and ensure that it is done well.

Additionally, setting boundaries in the ministry helps the Christians to determine what to let in their lives and what to let out. As physical boundaries where the owner avoids harmful objects or let in what facilitates the development of their property, Christians are also given a choice to allow in actions or things that will nurture their spiritual growth and also keep out all those that would derail their development. Hence, it is essential for the Christians to set boundaries and allow the positive actions in our boundaries and at the same time eliminate negative energy or moves out of their spiritual life. For instance, Nouwen 34 states that believers ought to open their gates to the good deeds, especially by receiving Jesus Christ and the truth, and in turn keep away things that would cause danger. Additionally, he outlines that the boundaries are permeable, and believers have been awarded the duty to determine what they can allow in or shield from accessing their spiritual life. Therefore, setting limits assists the Christians in letting the good in, and in turn getting the evil deeds or influences out.

Boundaries play a substantial role in determining the extent of responsibilities to others and for themselves. As Christians, it is noble to sacrifice one's privileges to assists others accomplish their wish and targets. This is seen as reciprocating what Jesus did for Christians when He chose to suffer for our sins. According to Nouwen 32, many of the believers or the others face burdens or responsibilities that are beyond their capabilities. Hence, it becomes the responsibility of Christians to offer a helping hand, and even deny themselves some of their privileges for them to accomplish such actions. Thus, such activities assist the believers t to be responsible "to." Moreover, the Bible requires believers to be accountable for their burden and take action to ensure that they are all accomplished. Nouwen 32 states that no one will undertake some of the responsibilities for the believers. Hence, this makes them embrace the responsibilities vested in them on their daily activities and encounters. Therefore, boundaries are significant in the ministry since they allow the believers to determine what they are responsible to as they try to emulate the example shown by Jesus as He sacrificed his might and life for the salvation of humanity as he was crucified on the cross. Additionally, it outlines what they are responsible for in their daily undertakings as they try to carry their cross.

Notably, boundaries are also essential in outlining the nature of God and outlining what He likes, hates, allows, don't let, plans, and thinks. With such knowledge, believers can know and identify the might vest in God. Additionally, boundaries assist the Christians in identifying the will of God and what He allows in His yard. According to Nouwen 35, God guards his house and limits on what is allowed to access it. Hence, it is the responsibility of the believers to identify and comply the set boundaries for them to be viable and fit to appear before His house. Moreover, limitations assist the Christians in ruling over the world within the set limits and responsibilities warded by God. Therefore, boundaries are significant in the ministry as they help the believers in outlining the will of God, determine what is allowed or denied by Him, and also let them enjoy their duties efficiently.

What to do to Establish and Maintain Boundary Settings

The best move towards maintaining the set boundaries is cultivating the ability to have a firm stand on the various issues set as boundaries in the life of a believer. The most considerable challenge exhibited by individuals in the ministerial work is the inability to have a firm stand regardless of the opposition or challenges faced when executing such stands. Nouwen 52 referred to such actions as the weakness of compliance, where the subjects bend their rules or positions to accommodate the opinions and needs of other individuals. Hence, the believers must establish the culture of saying words like it is wrong, no, I will not, I disagree, and that is bad. Hence, such a trend should be cultivated upon children especially on their early ages, and also shun the instances where individuals handicap the ability of such toddlers to say no. This will enable them to build the confidence and develop into firm Christians who do not have any fear in protecting their boundaries and shunning or condemning activities that are contrary to such principles.

Additionally, respecting the boundaries set by other individuals will eliminate the "controllers" who tend to disrespect the boundaries set by other persons. Nouwen 56 states that the controlling individuals have a problem in acknowledging the limits set by other individuals. He uses an example of Steve, who was a selfish employer and could not listen to the complaints raised by Frank- one of his most productive employee. Thus, this exhibits instances where manipulative controllers can disrespect the boundaries set by their subjects, and in the process, they end up paralyzing their subject's move to set functional barriers in their lives. Therefore, for the Christians to ensure that they can maintain their limits for an extended period, they ought to learn how to respect the boundaries established by their colleagues and believers. Moreover, Nouwen uses the story of Isaac's sons- Jacob and Esau to indicate how manipulative individuals end up breaking the boundaries set by others such as Isaac, who wanted to bless Jacob. Hence, believers out to learn how to respect other people' limits which in turn leads to a mutual reaction where the respective subject respect the set boundaries by their masters or colleagues.

Conclusion

Setting boundaries in the ministry is essential in defining Christians by highlighting the right and the wrong, helps them determine what to allow and not to allow in their lives, identifying the extent of responsibilities to others and for themselves, and outlining the nature of God and outlining what He likes, hates, allows, don't allow, plans, and thinks. It can be enhanced by cultivating the ability to have a firm stand on the various issues set as boundaries in the life of a believer and respecting the boundaries set by other individuals. Hence, believers ought to embark on efforts meant to establish, advance, and maintain their boundaries which are essential in molding their current and the success of their ministerial targets. Additionally, such limits will strengthen their bond with God, and allow them to enjoy the promises and fruits of their dedication to His work. Moreover, the believers must ensure that their boundaries are firm and invest every effort to ensure that they do not become porous.

Works Cited

Nouwen, Henri. "Spiritual formation." Following the Movements of the Spirit. HarperOne (2010).