Acorns and buckets

Recently read “Coaching for Performance” by John Whitmore. Its a facinating book about setting free the potential in others, not by becoming a control freak in their lives, but by working as a coach who steps back and helps them discover what is already inside their hearts.

How do we view people we are working with? Do we see them as empty buckets that we must pour all of our time, energy, and information into – pouring and pouring until its spilling all over the ground? What have you got after all that hard work? One full bucket. OR do we see them as acorns, which already have all the ingredients necessary to become a great oak tree, and simply must be allowed to become what is was made to be?

If we believe the latter, that has huge implications for ministry. Theologically, we remember that within each of us is imprinted the image of God, and within each man and woman who has called on Christ as Lord, they also hold the transforming Holy Spirit! What are we really saying to fellow brothers and sisters when we stifle them into passively receiving sermons and bible lectures? When is pedagogy appropriate?

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