Don and Wendy Francisco Articles

Myth #21 We Have Biblical Roles To Fill
I did an exhaustive study of the word "roles" in Strongs Concordance. It didn't take long since the word doesn't exist there or in the Bible.

So, I figured the next best place to look would be Websters. I found... " Role: 1.a character, assigned or assumed, 2. a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by status".

So, what is a "Biblical Role?" My conclusion is that the phrase is a construct of man.

The Bible does not speak of roles but tells us that we will be given the heart of Jesus, and with this heart, we will find ourselves compelled to love and serve people in various ways. The Bible says nothing about roles, but it says much about motivation and spirit.

We do get off onto bunny trails and then pave them with eight lanes of man made doctrines. We say "GRACE!" but then run back to Egypt to find out how to live. Well, either it's by grace or by playing roles, but it can't be a combination because they are mutually exclusive.

I am somebodies wife. I am not playing the role of wife. Everything I do, I do because it comes naturally to me. I love it. I am a mom. I never wasted one second serving my daughter out of role expectation. Hey, my cat feeds her kittens right on time and nobody ever told her that she had a Biblical Role to fill. Good grief. How much hot air we waste and how much life we lose.

When it comes to ministry, a calling from God is always in accord with your design, and He has prepared you for it. A role is culturally or religiously predetermined and is inflexible regardless of your personhood.

There are roles that you can play in church... pastor, elder, deacon. God forbid we carry out our callings as roles. When a calling dies and decomposes, it becomes a role.

Our main identity is BELIEVER. "Believer" is the surest place to anchor your concept of who and what you are. Then everything you do, every calling you fulfill, and every relationship you enjoy, stands on freedom and true servanthood.
W Francisco