Ministry to Up-and-Outers

Locked gates and security systems cannot keep out the inevitable pain and confusion of life.
—Mark Matheson

I once participated in the funeral for a high-level corporate executive and community leader. The service was held at another, larger church to accommodate the great number of attenders. The pallbearers consisted of mayors, a former governor, an astronaut, and other community leaders. The procession to the cemetery was led by twenty stretch limousines, and several hundred cars followed.

I went to the bereaved family’s home following the service and found a catered reception. The large tent standing in the backyard made the event seem more like a garden party than a funeral reception.

Feeling awkward, I wondered for a while if I was needed. Finally the caterer left and the tent came down; the friends and relatives said their good-byes and departed. Yet, grief and loss lingered, and I was glad I was present to help meet the needs that remained.

This experience, however, has not been that unusual. My congregation is full of professional athletes, politicians, high-level corporate executives, and self-made businesspeople—”up-and-outers”—who hold positions of great wealth, power, and influence in the community and yet find themselves in need of ministry.

Relating to this group has presented unique challenges. Theirs is a world of roomy, custom-built homes, late-model luxury cars, lavish parties, and elaborate weddings. These, not to mention second homes, Colorado ski vacations, and European trips, sometimes intimidate me. I live in a modest home, drive a well-used car, and for most vacations visit grandparents.

Yet while many up-and-outers may live in houses hedged behind high walls and secure gates, the locked gates and security systems cannot keep out the inevitable pain and confusion of life. Sometimes, the hurt is even more intense because up-and-outers are so isolated.

In addition, these people are often responsible for the livelihood of scores of employees. The fiscal and personnel responsibilities can bring enormous stress. And because they are frequently in the public eye, they also have the extra pressure of constant public scrutiny, controversy, and inevitable commentary.

So, up-and-outers, I’ve discovered, deserve special ministry attention, as do other definable groups such as singles, the elderly, and youth. Over the years, we’ve had some success in ministering to up-and-outers, and here are some keys we’ve found helpful.

Fine-tune ordinary ministry

Up-and-outers, in spite of their unique place in society, respond to ministries that are effective with other subgroups. With up-and-outers, though, I fine-tune the ministry.

For example, while many may not be attracted to church to hear a preacher, they will come to hear one of their peers. Successful Christian businessmen and businesswomen can share their stories and relate to the up-and-outer in a way that many preachers cannot. Restaurant dinners and breakfasts with a Christian businessperson as speaker are also excellent opportunities for ministry.

Any businessperson in Florida would recognize the name Jack Eckerd, founder of the Eckerd drug store chain. He spoke at a prayer breakfast, and the business community responded overwhelmingly. I’m sure many came hoping to get a tip on how to start a successful business, but they came away having heard how Jesus Christ had changed Eckerd’s life.

Seminars on marriage and family living are also successful. The stress of being an up-and-outer naturally affects the family. The wealthy and powerful, too, want to be better husbands, wives, and parents, and this desire can bring them to special ministries of the church.

Family sickness, struggles, and the death of loved ones also provide opportunities for ministry. During crises, I have found up-and-outers to be uniquely vulnerable. For some it’s the first time they realize that money and power cannot keep them immune from tragedy.

With up-and-outers, sometimes their hurts become known to the entire community, and that puts more pressure on these individuals.

One of our members is an executive of a large organization. I was watching the evening news when the lead story reported a near disaster at his company. The pressure on him was tremendous. He greatly appreciated my letter of encouragement and offer of prayer support.

Exert confident leadership

We must be secure in our calling and position if we are going to minister to the movers and shakers. Their leadership qualities, charismatic personalities, and material resources force me to rely on God’s calling and guidance in these contexts. I regularly have to remind myself that true success and strength come not from position, personality, or prosperity, but through faithfulness to God’s call.

I’m most effective with up-and-outers when my leadership is based on this confidence. Although up-and-outers are accustomed to leading the parade, they will follow good, assured leadership. Leadership, of course, means making difficult decisions and hearing disagreements about important subjects.

One of our members was highly vocal that a full-time youth director should be our next staff addition. I, however, felt just as strongly that we first needed a minister of education. We discussed the matter over lunch. After healthy give-and-take, neither of us changed our positions. Our meeting concluded with his comment, “Pastor, I disagree with you, but I will support your leadership.”

Up-and-outers might disagree strongly, but they respect confident leadership.

Challenge them to new heights

William Willimon, in his book The Gospel for the Person Who Has Everything, says, “Persons of strength do have needs, and one of their most pressing needs is a need to be challenged beyond the narrow confines of their own lives…” Consequently, I try to challenge gifted people to use their gifts for the work of the Lord.

One-on-one discussions during breakfast or lunch are excellent forums for challenging up-and-outers. I usually try to go to their turf and look at their businesses or job sites. I ask questions about their companies and their responsibilities. I also share dreams and goals for the church and follow up by asking for their responses.

I don’t assume up-and-outers know the church’s needs. Many simply do not have the time to focus on them. Also, I try to present needs and challenges in a way that elicits their ideas for solutions. I have come away from numerous meetings with the promise of help and involvement.

One of our leaders was the president of a large company and well-respected in the church. He was usually present at the church services but preferred to remain in the background. His quiet demeanor appeared to signal his lack of interest in the church.

Yet at a lunch meeting, we talked about our church’s personnel policies. I asked him to look them over and make suggestions. Not only did he look them over, but he also became chairman of the personnel committee and employed the resources of his company in researching and updating the existing personnel policies.

On another occasion, I told him about our capital stewardship campaign and said I felt he was the man we needed to lead this important drive. He agreed to be the lay chairman. Up-and-outers are gifted people who are accustomed to challenges. We need not fear challenging them to become more involved in the church.

Capitalize on short-term assignments

Many up-and-outers, rightly or wrongly, don’t have the time or the temperament to make long-term commitments to church responsibilities. Therefore, the challenge of short-term projects motivates them better.

One of our up-and-outers is a marketing strategist. He had been asked to serve on committees or teach Sunday school, but he always begged off because of his job responsibilities and travel schedule.

However, when the need for a first-class marketing and publicity campaign emerged out of a building program, I knew he was the man. We met and discussed the need and responsibilities of the position. He agreed to a twelve-week commitment. His efforts were marvelous, and the campaign was a huge success.

Furthermore, when up-and-outers have success at a short-term project, they become more likely to adjust their schedules to make longer-term commitments. But whether their commitment is short- or long-term, my goal is to help up-and-outers see that their contribution is vital to the church.

“What do you give a strong person who seems to have everything?” asks Willimon. “One thing you can give is a new perspective on his or her strength. You give a challenge. You give an opportunity to see those strengths as gifts from God. You give the freedom to use those strengths for something greater than one’s own selfish desires.”

Don’t get caught in attached strings

Unique temptations accompany wealth. People of affluence are used to controlling their lives and the lives of others. And individuals who control people and events outside the church at times fall prey to the temptation to control people and events within the church.

Several times I’ve been tempted to decide an issue solely because someone has threatened to withhold their giving if I don’t. At such times, I remind myself that not everything has a price, especially not the pastor’s integrity. Furthermore, I remember the Lord will provide for his work, even without a big check.

I must use wisdom and discernment when church members offer gifts and support. The vast majority offer them out of genuine love for me and my family, but once in awhile the offer comes with strings attached.

Discernment and discretion are key here. I make mental notes about attitudes during conversations and meetings. A person’s attitude toward the use of money usually remains consistent, whether at home, work, or church. If an individual is outspoken about “my” money, “my” business, or “my” giving to the church, then it’s likely he or she enjoys being in control. Consequently, I am reluctant to accept gifts or favors from such a person; such kindnesses may be given with strings attached. When one such individual offered me a membership to an exclusive golf and country club, I had to turn it down graciously.

On the other hand, some people have the true spirit of giving and offer their gifts with purer motives. One of our well-to-do families volunteered the use of a mountain home for our family vacations. We accepted the offer and have used it several times. Our gratitude to the owner is always met with the simple response, “We’re glad you can use it.”

Good news for the successful

A brief glance at the ministry of Jesus and the early church reveals that ministry to the up-and-outers is nothing new. Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and Joseph of Arimathea occupied prominent positions in their society but had needs that could be met only by Jesus.

Barnabas, a highly successful real estate broker, was so transformed by the gospel that he divested himself of his many holdings, gave the profits to the church, and became a missionary. The apostle Paul mentions several up-and-outers in his letters, including Philemon, Chloe, Priscilla and Aquila, and the Christians in Caesar’s household.

As I look at the prominence of people who seem to have it all, I sometimes wonder what I have to offer them. But then I remember that from the very beginning, the gospel has been good news to all people. Up-and-outers simply have special concerns that must be addressed. And the more effectively I address those needs, the more up-and-outers will become prominent in the kingdom of heaven.