Avoid the Waste

Recently I took our household recyclables to the county site and made the customary visit to each of the big dumpsters, aluminum, plastic, newspapers, etc. When I came to the steel bins, I was shocked to see that someone had thrown away what appeared to be a nearly new set of weights and dumbells. Most were sitting on top of other cast-offs in the middle of the big box. Others had already fallen the eight feet to the bottom. Legally I could not climb in and retrieve the parts that I wanted. I could only grieve that someone had felt this was the only way they could rid themselves of unwanted materials.

My family recycles everything our local government will allow. Other useful objects, at least to others if not to us, are offered to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a local thrift store. I see no reason to throw anything away that can be used again for the same or different purpose. I am not a great fan of landfills!

Yet in hungering for that set of weights, I began to think of all the other thngs I do waste. Sure, I work hard at the material stuff. What about the non material stuff? That led to a big moment of self-evaluation that said I came up short.

I waste time. Is there anything more important in our society these days than time? People turn down raises to get more vacation time from work. We argue about the value of quality time as opposed to quantity of time (Give Both!). We look for ways to fill time between other activities. Did you know there is a web site entitled "I Am Bored" chock full of silly games to help you use your time when you are at a loss as to what to do next, or at last struggling to avoid what you know you need to be doing?

I waste relationships. We have family members and friends that could enrich our lives far more than they do if only we would let them. I know some absolutely fascinating people and seem to be meeting more everyday, but I don't allow myself the opportunity to gain much from them. I don't invest myself in them so that they can invest themselves in me. Maybe that is related to the wasting of time again.

I waste opportunities to be more Christlike. That one judges me everyday! Do I have some idea of how Christ would act in a given situation? Sure, I have some reasonable notion. Do I always follow through? Unfortunately not all that often. I judge myself on that, but not in time to take advantage of the opportunity. It is almost always an after thought and the chance is long gone.

Waste is a terrible thing, a waste of anything. It is particularly bad when we waste life. God has given us life as a gift. We should never waste a gift from God. They don't come any more precious.

The Trials of Training

You can do the work of ten people or you can train ten people to do the work. How does that translate into the work of an associational missionary?

Do I train ten people to do association-wide work such as in music or Sunday School? Do I give my time to working with individual churches where I can train leaders to work in their own congregations?

Obviously my skills are multiplied if they are invested in passionate individuals who will accept additional training and will then work in separate churches or church clusters in specific areas. Leadership is multiplied, more people are helped, and the cause of the Kingdom is furthered by having more people involved.

What do you do if there are no passionate people who will go outside of their own church to invest in association-wide training? They are more than happy to throw themselves into their own church context. They will give everything they've got. They just want to focus on their own church field, their own church family.

In a large association there is no way for the ADOM to get around to every church. He must rely on someone else helping to cover all the bases. You have two options: train your own in house team or bring in outside facilitators who will train the folks in the local churches one at a time or in cluster groups. Do you choose an option based upon your own personal skills and the size of the association? Do you focus on just how much time you want to spend running to individual churches versus trying to pump up someone to do their job when they obviously do not have the passion to do what they agreed to do?

The fewer the churches that want to move into the future accepting the changes that will be necessary, the easier it is to work with the churches individually, celebrate with them their victories, and move onward. The greater the number of churches of any kind, the easier it is simply to say, "We'll pay someone to come in and do the training for whoever decides to show up." Then you hope enough people show up to cover your expenses!

Tis a frustrating puzzlement.

Thinking Directionally

Do we think in ways that are dominated by our past or by the future? There are books written on this subject, and several are probably on my shelves, but I still have to ask myself that question on a regular basis. Our actions each day will be guided predominantly by a reaction to what has already occurred or by an anticipation of what will occur. One does not exclude the other, only that one will determine the priority of our thinking.

What should we as churches and associations have as our focus? The answer to that question will determine whether we react or initiate, whether we put out fires or cultivate fields. It will also determine if we are prepared for a future we cannot see.

Too many of our churches, and perhaps some of our associations, spend most of their resources on reacting to the past instead of preparing for the future as hazy as it may often appear. The results are all too often a repetition of old efforts with the same dead end conclusions. Lessons that should have been learned from past experiences are ignored or misinterpreted. Resources disappear down a black hole, and we try to soothe our frazzled souls with the assurance that we did our best with what we had.

What if we focused upon future-focused questions? What will the future be like? Do our goals include adjusting to a future we cannot see? What tools do we need to face an undefined future? Do we have those tools? Are we willing to invest whatever it takes to get those tools?

What are the critcal resources that we will need to move into the future faithfully serving the Kingdom of God? Are we seeking to accumulate those resources? Are we investing in materials and/or relationships? Which one must have the priority? What plans do we have in place in the present that reflect our future focus?

The power of the past can destroy all hope of a faithful future. Facing the future in a healthy and God-honoring way will never happen by chance or luck. It is an intentional decision that involves intentional action. And it must begin today!

Sins of the Associational Director of Missions

I have done my best to keep all the Ten Commandments. I am sure, however, I have probably slipped up in a few cases. I don't intend to blatantly lie, but sometimes half truths or partial truths or deceitful innuendoes can come very easily. I try to honor my parents from a three-state distance. I have sought to honor my wife in all ways. Yet I would imagine that God might take issue with how I have honored the Sabbath and his Name at times. There was nothing intentionally blasphemous! But after all I am a grace-saved sinner.

So what are my sins as an associational director of missions? How much space do I have for this blog? How about just a few highlights?
1. Oh, ye of little faith! Lack of faith is a good place to start.
2. Gossip. The little plaque above my desk says, "Dear God, Please keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth." His hand isn't always tight enough.
3. Unacceptable criticism. If it is not intended to edify, then don't say it.
4. Coveting. I never have enough of what I want.
5. Lust. Focused upon possessions and positions more than things of the flesh. Twenty years ago that was different.
6. Wasting time. At my age I have got to stop that!
7. Selfishness. Holding back the encouraging word when someone else needs it. Also refer to Number 1.
8. Spirit of unforgiveness. We are supposed to be worshiping a God of second chances. I need to offer more.
9. Weakly allowing the minors to become majors. Too much of the world gets into my thoughts.
10. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Confession smacks of honesty. Repentance speaks of conscience. Determination to change points to God being allowed to do what we sinful mortals always find impossible. May God continue to be patient with his servants.