Freebies!

During a conversation the other day, a shocking realization hit me: How do we as churches help local businesses? How many times have we as church workers/lay leaders asked local businesses for donations for a fundraiser, free coffee for an event, or even to use their facility at a discounted rate? Sure, they get the minor publicity/advertising for helping, but should they be helping us, or should we be helping them?

The other thing is, do we even give them credit for the donation? I was at an event recently where a local coffee shop donated coffee for 150 people without even a mention that they did so. I know that I wouldn’t want to be known as a group/church that just keeps asking for donations without returning the favor in some way.

How do you thank people for helping you? How do you return the favor?

Maybe offer the local coffee shop a free concert on a “slow” night to boost business. Maybe it’s publicly thanking them in a large group setting. Maybe hold a small group meeting there to boost business.

Whatever you come up with, ask yourself, “How can I help you in return?” So often we ask for handouts, without thanking the business or showing them how much we appreciate them. Think outside the box!

Herding

I can’t remember where I first heard the expression “herding cats,” but I know the person that coined it must have been talking about ministry leadership.  That’s what it feels like.  I’ve been in ministry for the better part of 15 years and that is the best way to describe it.  There are so many days where I feel like I’m spinning my wheels not going anywhere.  There are days when it seems like I’m constantly retracing my steps.  There are days where nothing goes right.  There are days when I wonder if what I’m doing is actually making a difference.

I have been a cat owner almost my whole life.  My current cat/roommate/friend is Clyde.  He’s a great cat but he’s very…picky.  He “likes what he likes.” He wants to do things on his terms.  He’s stubborn.  He’s a little bit crazy and unpredictable.  Does this describe anyone, or even all of the church members that you know? 

Is there a member at your church that “likes what they like?”  Are they always willing to “change” and “listen” as long as it’s on their terms?  Are there “sacred cows” in your church that can never be changed?  Do you know of church members that you never know how they will react to a situation OR do you make decisions in the church and then discuss how specific congregation members will react?

I love my cat for the same reasons I love ministry.  I love a challenge!  Why would I want to do things the easy way?  My cat can be a pain sometimes, but when he comes to sit on my lap, I know that he truly loves me.  He doesn’t do that for everybody, just me.

In the same way, there will always be congregation members that may take our patience to the brink, but then there are also those times when they come out and support you.  Recently, my wife and I had our first child and just about every day, a church member has brought us dinner.  It’s been so helpful to not have to worry about meals when we have a newborn to take care of.

I love my cat Clyde and our relationship.  I would also never trade in the other “cats” in my life for anything.  They have a special place in my heart.

Wait ‘til next year…

Being born and raised north of Clark and Addison, I have been a Chicago Cubs fan all my life. I have heard the phrase “Wait ‘til next year” for 30 years. But I’m surprised how many times I hear it while working in ministry. If something’s wrong or needs changes/tweaks, why do we have to “wait?” Why not fix it now?

Something they never told me about in college was the existence of “sacred cows.” What do bovines have to do with ministry, you ask? Depending on your church, they have the potential to tear down the church. These “sacred cows” need to be dealt with very carefully.

My friend Mike never cared for such things. When he arrived at his last church (he passed away during his tenure), he noticed an organ to the side of the stage at the church. The organ was broken beyond repair and hadn’t been played in close to 3 years. But someone was always “going to fix it.” For 6 months, Mike used the organ as a table to place his water/music/really anything he could find. He was told numerous times that he couldn’t do anything with it. The staff lived in fear of the congregational retribution.

Then one day he snapped. I’m not quite sure what triggered it, but he called me into his office. In his hands were a crowbar and an axe. For the next few hours, Mike had a certain look in his eye…the same look that a 3 year old has before he destroys his classmates Lego creation. As he dismantled that organ piece by piece, I could see the replay of that copier scene from the movie Office Space. By the time we were done, you couldn’t tell that it started out as an organ. I have to admit, I had a good time as well. That next Sunday, no one said a word. It was like the organ never even existed. Mike realized that day that some “sacred cows” are meant to be dealt with.

It’s been 10 years since that organ was demolished. I can’t help but think, what if Mike didn’t destroy it that day? Would it still be sitting there…would it still be “untouchable?”

What are some things in your ministry that are “sacred cows?” What are things that are untouchable? What are some things that you want to change?

Parenthood: Part 1

(Not my actual child)

So, my last blog post was the day before the birth of my child. That was two weeks ago today. It’s hard to believe I’m a dad. I mean, really, I’m too young for this…oh wait, I’ll be 30 this year. I guess it’s time to grow up…maybe not.

Being a parent really does change your perspective on things. This kid is TOTALLY and COMPLETELY dependent upon me. She can’t change herself. She can’t dress herself. She can’t even feed herself. Even when we shove the “food” in her face, she’ll still cry because she’s so hungry. Sometimes I think, “What’s your deal kid?”

But as I think these thoughts, I wonder if that’s how God looks at us sometimes. We’ll sit there crying and crabbing and being self-absorbed, when all along, what we want is right in front of our face. Do you think God ever gets frustrated with us? It says in Genesis 6:1-3 that God’s Spirit couldn’t “put up with us for longer than 120 years.” I love that. I just picture God having His hands in his face and shaking His head at us.

Let’s face it. We are TOTALLY and COMPLETELY dependent upon God. And, if we think we aren’t or shouldn’t be, we probably need to rethink our lives.