To "Be" is better than to "Do." What in the world does that mean?

            In the late 1990’s I was a student at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. It was an opportunity to integrate my journey, experiences, with a theological understanding of God and his word. As a student, I came to understand the concepts of the  theological “know, be, do” way of living. Ironically, this same paradigm, “be, know, do” was and is part of Army leadership ideas. I revisit the concept of "being" in this article. 
 
            I believe that Christian servanthood or leadership is about being and not doing. No telling what happens when we do a lot, we often make a mess of things. I know because I have lived that life, where I felt the need to do more and do more often, it was part of getting a “top block” on my officer evaluation report; or an attempt to get a top block. It may be that some will do more often to prove their worth as part of the team. I know. 
 
             To “do” is more about feeding the anxious mind or the anxiety of the organization. It is true that there are often deadlines and projects that need to be met and managed. However, there is an opportunity for the Chaplain or the Minister/Pastor to influence the agenda of the ministry more often than not.  Nevertheless, there are times where the culture of the organization sets the pace and tone.  
 
            As a faith leader, or Christian servant, it benefits the organization (Military, Corporate, or Church) for the Chaplain or Pastor to influence their lane of responsibility. The Chaplain or Pastor can set the tone and model what spirituality looks like. It does not have to be “busy” all the time; doing things for the approval of others. We can set the tone by being vs. doing. What exactly does this mean for the Chaplain or Pastor in a military or corporate setting, or in a pastoral setting? 
 
            Being is a way of living; a way of being confident in who we are and what we can contribute to the organization. Peter learned this the hard way. While he failed to “do” in the context of the cross, Christ’s suffering and death, he made up for in his letter to the believers in his day. As a leader, Peter may have learned to be and not so much in doing things for the sake of being busy. 
 
            God told Israel to be holy because he is holy. The nation of Israel represents God—as a Nation set apart for Him— and their doing or living should be a result of their relationship with him. Peter quotes Leviticus to encourage the readers to be holy because God is holy. How does a spiritual leader, a Chaplain or a Pastor influence his work environment with the idea of being? 
 
            First, he or she is already holy in a positional sense. Second, Peter tells us how to be holy. In my Key Word Study Bible, NIV, the word says this: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. . . do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. . .” Being or to "be" is resting in a relationship with God; the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. It is being self-assured that all is in the control of God, the Sovereign. 
 
            In conclusion, a servant leader rests in the presence of God as part of the Body of Christ. This is the Being in the old school thought of “know, be, do.” Being a servant leader accepts and rests in the Sovereignty of God and has a focus in his or her consistent communion [relationship] with God, the Trinity. It is about resting in the peace and full acknowledgment of the grace of God in our lives. Our doing springs out of our being. Therefore, when our Soldiers, Patients, or church members interact with us—they don’t see an anxious Chaplain or Pastor—but they see a self-assured Chaplain/Pastor who is being what he or she is called to be—Holy and at peace with God. 
 
© Dan Kinjorski