the G sides

This is part of the Beyond The Starting 5 project. A writing safari where I explore the idea of what people-development looks like in the local church. I have no idea what I’m doing, mileage may vary.

I don’t like talking about obstacles. I think it’s counter-productive. Especially if you spend more time focusing on the obstacle instead of just doing the mission. However, the reality is there are obstacles to any movement or change and sometimes it’s nice to know what you’re facing. (And no, this list isn’t exhaustive but I think these are the “big ones.”)

Not all obstacles are really obstacles. Not everything that slows us down is an obstacle. Sometimes they keep us from hitting landmines and running off a cliff. I remember moving into a new ministry and immediately was told to avoid this particular guy. He was a trouble maker, questioned everything. He was a bit of a hot-head, spoke first, thought later.

Then I met him. And worked with him. And loved him. His name? Steve Boehm. Steve is still one of my best friends in the world. And the warnings on him were partially right – he was a trouble maker and questioned everything. That’s why he was an outstanding leader. He wasn’t an obstacle, he was a difference maker because he thought deeply about student ministry and missions. He was willing to take risks and shake things up. He made me and all of us that served with him better leaders and followers of Jesus.

Point is this – not everyone who initially questions or challenges you is your enemy or an obstacle. They may be slow adopters or process people. They may see something you don’t. Take the time to figure that out before labeling something or someone an obstacle.

We could list about a thousand things in this space but I’m only going to hammer on three because I’m finding that these three tend to poison everything else.

Programs are easier to run, look better in the brochure
I don’t think much explanation is needed on this one. People develop is messy. And time consuming.

Time and Priorities
Families are out of control with their schedules. Sports, school activities, hobbies, entertainment and a kid-centric calendar inside the family unit is building a huge sense of entitlement in our kids that is not healthy and is not conducive to helping other people.

I could rant on this forever but there is no price tag on how important it is for my kids to see Amy praying and studying the Bible with teenagers. Or the impact my kids seeing me get up every Wednesday morning, reading books that challenge my faith. We’re not perfect parents – far from it. I say things I shouldn’t say when I hit my hand with a hammer just like you. We don’t do the Bible story every night complete with sermon illustrations and prayer and hymn sing.

BUT Amy and I want our kids to understand the value of investing in people, in serving them and that is something that has to be modeled and ‘caught’, not just taught. And our kids know that we love them but they aren’t the center of anyone’s universe.

Cruise Ship versus Battleship Mentality
Did you know that kids grow up? To be adults. Just saying. If they saw their parents pick a church based on what it does for them or meets their needs, guess how they will probably pick a church?

The first question I ask in our new members class is “why do you want to join Western Hills?” I listen to the answers. If the answers are because of a great children’s/youth/women’s/men’s program or the music is kicking or the teaching is awesome – I just smile and say “I hope not.”

That’s a cruise ship mentality. Meaning – we come to church for the services that are provided, the staff is nice and friendly and exist to meet my needs and to make sure that I have a pleasant ‘cruise.’

I hope we join a church because we find one that is going to help us in our journey to look more like Jesus. We call that spiritual transformation. That’s a “Battleship” church, a church with a mission larger than just herself, part of a larger fleet with a higher command structure. A church that exists to serve those outside their walls and not yet going to church there. A church that serves her community in Jesus’ name. A church that develops people and then unleashes them into the community.

There are probably more I could list but these three are the big ones. And these just aren’t obstacles for the organization but for me personally as well. I’m not sure if there are any “magic” solutions to these obstacle other than the stuff we’ve already talked about.

The bottom line is that we are always going to face obstacles. At some point you just have to do the work of investing in people. Just do it. It will get messy and unorganized and you’ll never have enough resources. So since all of that is true and will always be true — start doing it.

More later.