Faithful Vitality

by Gerald Scott

I am a Black leader of a nonprofit. My passion for the work to which I have been called runs deep as with any other leader. This call drives me, but it also causes a real struggle because I have a family. Six years ago, my wife of 17 years asked me for a divorce. Why? Mostly because I was so driven – “driven like an ox.” I was working three jobs: one full-time, one part-time, and one working all the time with the nonprofit. That doesn’t include my work in ministry…which is 24/7 for those who understand ministry.

Both Deuteronomy 25:4 and I Timothy 5:18 says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” This is a simple agricultural analogy that was meant to teach a principle: The creature doing the work that feeds others should not be prevented from being nourished itself. The second part of the latter verse goes on to say, “The worker deserves his wages,” conveying that an ox that treads out his work should be honored by being able to eat.

This analogy describes some of the challenges facing Black nonprofit leaders. Leaders are inherently characterized by their usefulness, strength, resilience, dependability, and powerfulness. The Black nonprofit leader, however and unfortunately, often shoulders heavy burdens. Constantly working hard, trying to keep pace, doing the heavy lifting, laboring in service to others, yet driven forward. These leaders are willing to respond to “the call” with strength, courage, and perseverance…often with insufficient and sometimes no pay, without enough help, and without benefits like retirement and healthcare.

As Black nonprofit leaders work tirelessly and much of the time on the brink of wearing out, they are also under enormous pressure from their family and the work to provide. Thus, it should be expected that they be outfitted with the right “shoes” to meet these demands. Shoes that lead to new and greater paths. Paths to economic resources. Paths to economic sustainability. Paths to economic freedom. Ultimately, paths to greater peace of mind.

Envision this statement, “Peace is knowing you can meet the needs and the demands of yourself, your family, and your business.” Resource (funding) partners and the community partners must understand that caring for nonprofit leaders is part of producing the desired outcomes of their work. What would happen if deep care was standard for the partnerships between philanthropic organizations and Black (and all) nonprofit leaders doing the hands-on work? How would lives, families, and communities be transformed?

Today, I still work multiple jobs and wear a lot of hats, but there is good news. Since the day my wife spoke those painful words six years ago, I have reset my path, found God’s grace, and restored both my marriage and family (my first ministry). I hope this message gets to the heart and increases the understanding of partners who resource the work. If an animal, the ox, should be nourished through its work, this should certainly be the case for the people who love and serve their communities.