One ministry that has always seemed significant to me is church camp. Many years I have gone to Fort Hill, volunteering a week to work with kids. Many folks from Sunshine have done likewise. I have always left the camp with the feeling that the past week was time well-spent. That is an important feeling for me because so many of my involvements did not seem worthwhile in the end. Reflecting on why camp feels so right has highlighted a dynamic that I think is relevant to our discussion on church growth.
The one thing that is unique to camp is that you commit to a week. After settling-in, you can easily give your undivided attention to the work of the week. Because of the up-front commitment of time, it is possible to get involved with the events with the kids. It is easier to be patient. And there is a tone set that reminds that all things are for the glory of God. During the week, it is natural to fall in love with many of the kids. You take pride in their achievements and mourn their disappointments. A wonderful, godly atmosphere develops. The key to all this is the dynamic of time. All of the staff have pre-ordained that this particular week is for camp.
The dynamic of time explains why during camp week I get deeply involved with the happenings of Isaiah Myers, then for the other 51 weeks of the year, I hardly interact with him. The other 51 weeks I have never decided that some of my time and resources are for him. The other 51 weeks of the year, I am dealings with the schedules, problems, and priorities of my own life. Though, I still have the same heart for Isaiah as I did during camp week, I am just so consumed with other stuff that no time will be found for him.
I am writing all this by way of illustration. It is impossible to make all weeks like camp week. We cannot ignore our schedules, problems, and priorities. BUT, sometimes we think we have no control when in fact we do. We are not helpless in dealing with the priorities of life. Change in our basic approach to living can happen. We have to be sufficiently motivated. The primary growth we need is a growth in love.
How often do we pray that God will increase our capacity of love for our brothers and sisters? If we all suddenly experienced a double-portion of love for one another, things would change. Please do not misunderstand my emphasis here. I am not attempting to create guilt. I am attempting to steer our thinking toward the potential of love.
What are your thoughts? Am I being too simple? Am I crazy for thinking that a revival is possible here?
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Growth continued...
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4 comments:
Jason -- I'm with you here -- because of His love for us Jesus died on the cross.
The Bible encourages us about love and our growing in it...
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-15
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 2:37-38
Love is commanded and encouraged --we struggle with it though, and I'm guessing it's because it makes us vulnerable and it also makes us look weak.
No matter though -- our call is to love deeply, and it's just not possible to love someone and not have your actions follow your love. The result is your love for them will result in your treating them in a way that is consistent with the love you profess toward them. I believe we are handicapped spiritually if we fail to grow in love for God and our brother and sister.
I think we at Sunshine have made great strides in the last years at forming more genuine relationships with one another. Overall, we have very few squabbles and people do care for one another and help each other. That's not to say we shouldn't strive to improve this more.
If one looks at our history, great emphases was placed on Bible teaching and Bible knowledge. We built a solid foundation in manors of worship and leadership according to Bible principles. Most of these principles recorded by Paul and inspired by the Spirit are so very important. But growth is going to come through the caring, compassionate, life-changing principles of Jesus in the gospels. How to sing, give, how often to meet, select leaders all pale compared to the teachings that Jesus spent his time on earth emphasizing. I hope we can hold true to the words of Paul while emphasizing the teachings of Jesus.I’m not saying we have ignored Jesus, but it is easier to place emphases on the tangible “how to’s” rather than the spiritual “how come’s”.
I fully agree with what you are driving at, Scott. Our CofC heritage has placed heavy emphasis on the form and structure of the church. Without letting go of the gains we've made, we should focus on the raw power of the gospel to transform our lives. It is in this specific area that I believe revival is needed.
Jason, I totally agree and am very familiar with your analogy.
I pass by these same kids at church all the time sometimes not saying a thing. It is not that I don't care about them, these are the same kids that at camp I would either be wrestling to the ground, throwing them in the pool or just giving them a hug. Sometimes even staying up to 3:00 in the morning dealing with homesickness.
Trust me I feel the same about them all year long, but like you said my priorities change. Whether I'm deep in thought about the upcoming prayer I am to say or chasing Ellie around, I know that I usually have other agendas. I have been earnestly trying to reach out at other times, but probably not enough.
I totally agree that it would be a truely growing experience if we could ammend or add to our normal dealings in life that allows us to become a bigger part of our bros/sis' in Christ. I agree that Priotity number 1 is prayer, followed by a desire to change.
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