Tending the Iceberg

Perhaps as little as 10% of an iceberg shows above the surface. Pastor Marc Jolicoeur uses this image to remind us that what is happening with our character and relationship with God may not be obvious to the congregation we serve, but it can still sink us.

“What sinks you is what you don’t see.”

The overwhelming majority of what we are is under the surface. Indeed, we ourselves are not entirely aware of what drives us to want and do what we do. Nevertheless, who we are beneath the surface has a tremendous impact on how we lead.

Pastor Jolicoeur strongly asserts that the character of the leader matters. He mentions the debates over the centuries over how important the character of a leader is for the effectiveness of his or her ministry. Certainly, God can do good through someone despite their lack of character. The impact of a ministry does not totally depend on the holiness of a leader.

But it matters! It matters a great deal, Pastor Jolicoeur strongly asserts. “We don’t want to bear God’s name in vain.” We are representing God on this earth. We represent him in our lives outside the church. We represent him to our families and children. And we represent him to those in our congregation. As an old song asserted, “You’re the only Jesus some will ever see.”

If we have healthy patterns in our lives, it will have an impact on how we lead worship in our congregations. If we are hiding patterns of anger, doubt, lust, greed, or some other secret sin or struggle, these will also impact our leadership. We and those around us may not even be able to put our finger on what exactly it is, but the impact will seep out into our relationships and leadership. At times, it may gush forth like a torrent.

If we are constantly in prayer in private, it will have a public impact too. If we are constantly in worship in our inner life, it will have a public impact too. If we are walking in a fully devoted relationship with Christ behind closed doors, it will have a positive impact on our ministry in full sight of others.

Pastor Jolicoeur urges us to take a deep look at who we are in our walk with the Lord. Even more, he urges us to have someone else take a good look at who we are. We cannot always see ourselves clearly, so having a trusted accountability partner or partners is not only a great gift to ourselves but to our congregations as well. 

We don’t want the iceberg of our lives under the surface to sink anyone. Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower us to be the people in public that he is making us in our private walk with him.