The same goes with the daily operations of a church. Impressive are mega churches like Willow Creek and James River Assembly. And they are truly doing great things for their communities. From a visitors first impression, it's amazing to see how well things work from the parking lot ministry to the follow-up phone call a week later.
Now go back and re-read what I typed in red. There is an appearance that everything works like a well oiled machine. In my journey I have had the opportunity to be on both sides of the fence: 1) coming & expecting and 2) serving & executing. Let me tell you, there were times when one of my events was about to start (like Easter with over 2,000 lined-up) and I had a ton of items that still needed to be checked, tested, verified, modified, deleted, addressed, cleaned, explained.....etc. I hear that even NASA works along similar lines.
I have taken behind the scene tours of mega churches and it's no different. They are patching things behind the scenes but it's all seemless to the guests. Looking back, all my Easters, Christmas Events, VBS's, and other mega events appeared seamless and well running to the spectators.
However, I'm not into running spectator events just for the sake of an event. Now here's the unique perspective. We can run around and be very busy until 'GO TIME' but during the entire planning and executing, God never once was rushed, concerned or failing. He does not set us up for failure. Sure, we can grow out of every experience and God allows us to be refined in the fire, but He does not partner with us in ministry just to see us fail. It is His will for each of us to succeed. There will never be enough time to plan, never enough volunteers to operate, never enough guarantees for success and still we will succeed! You see, God is with us as we labor. Big event or preparing a simple snack for kids; God is with us. It's not the size of our endevor that God is blessing, it the simple fact that we are taking time to labor and share the good news!!!
I'm thankful for everything I have taken on this year. I'm very excited about new opportunities that are already underway for 2009. (620 kids already enrolled for Upward Basketball starting in January). If God be for us, who can be against us?
Have a very blessed and happy holiday season.
Pastor St. John
Lauren, Ronda, Bruno, St. John & Austin
