Talkers and doers

It is my observation that there are two types of believers: talkers and doers.

Talkers know all the right doctrines and believe the right things and do a lot of TALKING about what everyone should be doing.

The doers usually are not as bright or as learned as the talkers, but somehow seem to get around to DOING the very things the talkers are talking about.

Luke 9:57-10:20 is a passage we use frequently in our teaching/training. In these verses Jesus has little to say to the talkers (see vs. 9:57-62), but a lot to say to the doers (vs. 10:1-20).

Talkers are usually the ones holding the microphone. Doers are usually the ones sitting in the corner trying to figure out what it is the talkers are talking about.

Saturday night I was again teaching from Luke 9:57-10:20. I was the assigned talker holding the microphone. It was very hot. More than 150 people were crowded in a tiny, windowless room. There were no fans, and the mosquitoes were merciless. Even so, I was annoyed that several of the, mostly rural, illiterate people present, seemed sleepy, bored or distracted to what I had come to talk to them about.

As the meeting broke up, and we were about to make the long drive back home, I was called back inside where a group of people were still seated. There sat one of the supposed offenders who had annoyed me with their sleepy, half-closed eyes as I was sharing my "pearls of wisdom."

I soon learned the unassuming brother had been responsible for bringing scores of people to the Lord. He works hard six days a week on a small rural farm. Every spare moment being given to reaching his lost friends, family, and neighbors to the Lord. That evening he had brought several people to the meeting to hear the special invited talker--me. Since I had failed to "give an invitation" at the end of my talk, he was rightly concerned that those returning home with him be dealt with spiritually.

I realized in that instant I was a talker. He was a doer.

We did what needed to be done, and concluded our time talking some more with the doer. We decided it made more sense to begin a new church plant in the recinto (rural community) where he lived, instead of transporting back and forth his lost friends, family and neighbors to the Saturday night meetings (a 30-minute trip over rough, rural dirt roads.) Why couldn't they have the same kinds of meetings where they all lived? All we needed was a doer to do what needed to be done. The doer (to the right of green-striped shirt) was willing.

I committed to come back and talk some more to help the doers learn what they needed to do.

In my own life and ministry, I have made the conscious choice to try and give 80% of my time and energy to the DOERS, and 20% to my fellow TALKERS. Both doers and talkers are part of the Body of Christ. Both are to be loved and respected. Both have a role in the Kingdom.

Are you a doer or a talker? If you are a doer, we'd like to talk to you about coming to help us do what needs to be done here in Guayas. Seriously!