After Julie & I got home from a 3 hour long Charge Conference last night, I said it must be a strange thing for our DS to come to our church and hear what's happening in our congregation. I've been to enough Charge Conferences with the small churches that predominate United Methodism to know that most don't have a whole lot of new things to report. It's not that small churches don't do important ministries, it just that there's not much on the cutting edge. And while we're certainly not a large church with a whole host of dynamic ministries, for our size we do so pretty amazing things. It was exciting for me and for our DS to hear the enthusiasm in people's voices as they spoke about what they had accomplished during the year. I'm proud to be their pastor.
When the DS asked me afterwards how it is possible for us to do all we do, I answered by saying we simply do what she talked about in her opening remarks, setting people free to use their gifts and to pursue their passions. I'm not a great pastor or even all that smart, but this I know, that God has given his people gifts and passions for ministry and when people are given the chance to use those as God leads them to, without having to get by a bunch of gatekeepers, great things happen. In many churches that's pretty radical thinking. You would think after decades of committee work that has left many churches locked in status que and slowly dying, people would get a hint. But insanity is the norm, that is insanity defined as "doing the same things and expecting different results."
I thank God for the members of my congregation who aren't insane, but who are crazy. One of my new favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 5:13 "If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit" (NLT). Anyone who is truly passionate about Christ and doing ministry appears to be crazy to anyone churched or unchurched who is not. And that is exactly why the world need more crazy people.
Excellent observation, John! In our church some years ago, I asked that we do a weekly luncheon and a "committee" told me, "we can't do that! We're too old!" Then several individuals ignored the committee and now, after more than 12 years and $37,000 to missions from a $3.00 per week lunch, the "craziness" has proven to be God sent. Set folks free, bathe them in the prayer and the Word of God and send them toward the Cross and its amazing what they can do!
Posted by: Pastor Dan Gates | November 28, 2005 at 08:20 PM