As the first four weeks of parenthood rocket past us, we’re trying to move out of survival mode and into parenting mode. In other words, rather than making decisions based on what works now, we want to begin making decisions that will yield the long-term results we desire for Charlotte. For instance, when Charlotte cries while we’re putting her down for a nap right now, we don’t let her go too long without checking on her. We’re quick to the rescue with a pacifier or a fresh diaper or new bottle. We understand from our pediatrician that for children this young, it’s best for parents to be rather attentive to their cries because it indicates hunger, pain or discomfort. Thus we sacrifice long-term purpose (teaching her to sleep without us tending to her every beck and call) for expediency.
I feel like this is descriptive of much of the ministry we do in the church. An area of need comes to our attention (sometimes a truly important need, but often just momentary interests), so we do our best to come up with some ministry that will meet that need. The problem is that our communities begin to look like a hodge-podge of special interest ministries that have little connection to a larger purpose or calling. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to discern a true identity because we’ve sacrificed a sense of calling for the satisfaction of immediate needs.
There will come a time in the near future when our preference as parents for short-term success must give way to decisions and strategies that we believe will help Charlotte to be the child God has called her to be. Instead of rushing upstairs a thousand times when we try to put her down for bed, we’ll have to let her ‘cry it out’ so that she will learn that when we put her in her crib, it’s time to sleep (seasoned parents- I’m sure you’re laughing). Of course, not only will Charlotte experience discomfort in the learning process, but it will also mean that her parents will go through growing pains as we learn that it’s ok for her to cry for a little while if it means that she will go to bed easier in the future. Thus we will come to learn how to sacrifice expediency for purpose.
I fear that we’ve lost our ability to make this transition in the church. Too often we put a finger in the dam now, only to drown in the future. We’re so busy putting out fires that we never give careful thought, meditation or prayer to the direction God might be calling our community. What would it look like if everything we did as a church was examined according to the standard of our mission statement: “God calls us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ so that people: Connect to Christ and one another; Grow in faith; Serve in love”? What would it look like if we cut any program or ministry that did not work toward this purpose? There’s no doubt that it would be a painful evaluation process. I suspect feelings might be hurt as some of the sacred cows in our community are “set out to pasture.” But what would be the benefits? A sense of unity as we work toward a common purpose to which we have been called by God? A renewed energy and passion for calling people into relationship with God? An experience of the Holy Spirit moving among us? An opportunity to be the Body of Christ for a broken and hurting world? Growing pains are no joke- but if that’s what it takes to be the community God has called us to be, then let’s get on with it.
We made it to 6 months! :)
12 years ago