A bright future

There is a quote that has circulated among many of us since the last Leadership Retreat, "You have to get smaller to get bigger." The quote encapsulates the notion that congregational leadership has to discover ways to involve its members in smaller, intimate group gatherings rather than continue to function solely as one homogenous unit. The outreach of the congregation is carried out by way of these smaller, integrated units. A key objective is to see that all members are "members" of at least one smaller group effort. Unless this "discovery" is made, the congregation will stagnate at a particular population. What is the nature of these small groups and how exactly might they function? The possibilities are limitless. As it is with most things, what works well for one congregation does not work at all for another.

Looking forward to this year's Leadership Retreat, I firmly believe that this is our challenge. How do we break down the work of the Sunshine Church into smaller, intimate work groups? I think its fair to say that the leaders of Sunshine are struggling to adapt to such a model. We are small town people. We grew up apart of a small church, we attended small schools, and we most often deal with small businesses. We are familiar with life in a small town, most of us can get around in the big town, but it is not our natural habitat (Shall we all join hands a sing together a couple verses from John Mellenkamp's "Small Town"?).

Generally, we are down on big cities, big churches, and big businesses. Not to exaggerate the point here, but I feel that its important for us to acknowledge that small is more than preference for us, it is a value. We are suspicious even resentful of one who would come in offering a better idea or method. Simultaneously, we will acknowledge that we have much to learn and stand in need of guidance. Consequently, we are basically sincere when we say we want to grow, yet, at a deeper level, we are resistant to the changes such growth entails. I am confident making this observation because I see it most clearly in myself. I am not adept at working in larger scales.

I have been deeply involved in the work of Sunshine, both before and after my college stints. Yet during the college years, I never involved myself in the work of the large congregations that I attended. It was not a conscious choice on my part. Looking back, I can see that I felt like a fish out of water. I had no skills for finding a role within the context of the large congregations. I did not know how to do what I did at Sunshine in this new environment. I also can now admit I harbored a subtle negative attitude about these congregations. The attitude stemmed from my blaming my lack of connectedness on the large congregation rather than on my stubborn rigidity. I was a small town guy with limited abilities to cope with life in the big congregation.

I recognize these things now because I am no longer stuck in the pattern of thinking that characterized me in those days. I can now think a bit more creatively about how I might serve and how church might look. What we are getting at here is a paradigm shift. We are reaching for a new pattern of thinking about congregational life, ministries, and evangelism. None of us have the answers. Let's begin by admitting that fact!

This is good stuff. We are flirting with growth, deeper relationships, salvation of friends and family, the very power of God at work in us. This is why time moves forward. God's kingdom is still breaking into our world, even Minford. Can we catch this higher vision? A vision that captivates our imagination and commands the best of our energy. Surely, we want all that God would give us? I do! I know others who do!

I offer these thoughts in hope of stimulating a discussion. A discussion about Sunshine's present and future. Ultimately, I hope to generate enthusiasm as we build up to this year's retreat. Please join in this discussion. We need each other as we need our Lord.

P.S. Patrick Mead has written about changes of thinking within his own congregation -> here