It’s been a while since I wrote my last blog post. Since I’m no longer in traditional pastoral ministry, it has given me the opportunity to take a step back and re-evaluate what it means to be a pastor, what a church is, and how we do church today.
Disclaimers: What I’m about to write may seem radical. In fact, it probably will illicit a strong reaction. I can’t say that this was my attitude when pastoring, but I was already reaching these ideas then. I have not attempted to pastor a church this way fully–mostly because I was not in a space where I felt that could be done (mostly that I had already felt God moving me in a new direction in ministry–not any one person, conference, and church in particular had this limiting factor). In a previous similar post on evangelism, I inflamed a few people who were upset that they felt the post reflected on them poorly. My only comment now is, if you feel this reflects poorly on you, look inward.
Now, for the new perspective on “church.”
Imagine with me that you are on a backpacking trip. You’ve left your smartphone at home (no signal) and only are navigating with a satellite phone. You’re days into your journey and your battery is dying and you’re running low on supplies. You’re not sure if you even fully are on the trail. You feel a little lost.
Suddenly you see a sign. Someone made that sign. There are signs of hope and humanity. you must be on the right path! Your heart starts beating a little faster. A smile plays at the corners of your mouth. But then, as you wipe the leaves and dust off of it, you realize, it says “Wi-fi Ahead.” Your hope turns to extreme disappointment. You have nothing to connect to the wifi with. You stand there, still.
As you journey on, the signs increase. There is an opportunity for you to take a flyer; the signs are unmissable! You get a little seed of hope growing up in your heart. Maybe there will be something for you? Maybe there will be water or food or a place to charge your sat phone!
After a few hours, you arrive to the oasis. There are three solar powered routers. They are shielded from the rain and dirt and elements. There is a sign that says “5G!”. There are white Christmas lights strung around under this small open air pavilion. You frantically look for a place to charge your sat phone’s battery. But, all of the plugs are very high and all being used for the routers. You set up camp under the pavilion and get some sleep.
The next morning, you decide to take a look around again. With heavy heart, you realize there is no help for you here. Eventually, you make it out of the forest: exhausted, malnourished, and dehydrated. Two men are standing near a car in the parking lot. You overhear their conversation and realize they are talking about the pavilion.
“I can’t imagine why we haven’t gotten anyone sending us a thank-you in the response box!”
“Oh I know! We did have that one last year. We spent so much money on that pavilion and no one seems to care. We put out signs, we even built the little roof, but no thank you!”
Anger begins to creep up in you. You are exhausted, but the anger gives you enough energy to mutter: “Maybe, that’s not what we need! Did you ever think of that?!”
You realize that you have to contact someone, though, so you approach the two men.
“Hi, I’m out of food and water and my sat phone is dead. Is there any way that you can help me?”
Pt. 2 next week. Ruminate on it and please let me know your predictions, thoughts, and responses–no matter what they are.
