When I read the stories about
Jesus taking the disciples fishing, I wonder how the Nazarene feels about
people who aren't into fishing. One night on our way to DC I spent an hour
wandering around a Cabela's store in West Virginia. I felt like an intruder. My
ride of choice is a Miata and not a truck. When I go hunting, it is for a book
or an obscure rhythm & blues record or the world's best pork, hard shell
taco.
Jesus and his friends went
fishing every chance they got, but my last real fishing trip in Alaska ended
with a buddy taking shots at salmon with his .22 as we stood by the river.
(Should I be telling you this?) I've caught some bluegill, a smallmouth bass,
and even helped pull in a whale, but I'm not a fisherman.
And yet...and yet...I'm still fishing.
The last several weeks I have been-along with some others on the Lay Leadership
Team-making phone calls to people in whom we see a passion for Christ and
leadership gifts. I've been sitting down with people asking them to tell me
their story. I want to know what they are good at, what strengths they have,
and what kinds of Kingdom tasks would energize them.
These have been wonderful
conversations! Every single last one has been a blessing. Each and every one of
us has an amazing, unique story, you know?
Some say "yes" right
away. Some say, "Can I give you an answer later?" One friend said,
"I'm not so interested in what you're asking me to do, but I love to bring
people together. Create moments where people can connect and become a
community." I sat back, sipped my Diet Coke, and then said, "I
believe God wants you to help us form a 'Party Team' that will organize a
couple of big events each year when we all can come together!" And some
say, "This conversation has been so good...but I need to say 'no' right
now." So you never know how these conversations are going to go!
You see we're not trying to push
people into a "slot." We want to know who people are, we want to know
what people care about and we want to know where people's strengths and
weaknesses are so that the serving/leadership place is right.
People have asked why we are
doing it this way at FUMCB/The Open Door. My response is always the same.
First, we want people to be
engaged, proactive leaders. Not reluctant servants who don't really have a
passion for their area of service and need to be nudged forward.
Second, we want people to be
doing something that energizes them and brings them joy. (Serving as a leader
or team member in the church should not drain people of joy, steal their faith,
and cause them to love Christ's church less!)
Third, what we are trying to do
in the world is important. Lives, communities and nations hang in the balance.
As imperfect as it is, the local church is the hope of the world. So God's
people deserve creative, gifted, committed, engaged lay leaders!
If we haven't gotten to you, and
you would like to see where God could use you in this world-changing,
community-blessing community, please call us.
I'm not a fisherman. But I
love-love!-inviting people into the adventure of servant leadership. So maybe
in my own way I'm standing knee deep in God's mountain stream, reading the
water and the light and the rocks, and trying to catch the brown trout....that
is you!
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
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