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A favourite television show of my early years was The Beverly Hillbillies, a situation comedy revolving around a peasant hillbilly family who strike it rich and move to Beverly Hills. Though amongst the wealthiest in the area, they live as though still on the land - eating, hunting, making their own supplies. Their humble lifestyle is subjected to the manipulations of their banker, who fears losing their custom, and seeks to stymie their every move in spending their wealth.
It is, in many ways, a metaphor for much of church life. Though we have the wealth of resources available to us from God, through the gifts and graces he bestows on his church, we often live as though still bereft. And the resources we do have we treat as our own, seeking to protect them, rather than as stewards for all that God has given. How tempting at times to act like the man with the single talent, who buries it in the ground for fear of losing it… which he does in the end for failing to put it into use for his master.
In contemplating the future ministry of the church, we need to develop a risk-taking mentality rather than a conservationist one. Without moving beyond the boundaries of our comfort, we are destined for death. The attitude we need to hold is not that of survival, but of growth – like the sower who sows his seeds in tears, realising that unless this crop succeeds, he is destined for poverty. The only real failure is the failure to try.
When we look at any single project or proposal for ministry, we might be able to think of many reasons it might not succeed. We can probably well articulate the challenges and threats it poses. Being a small church as we are in West Melbourne, the human resources available are inevitably limited. But we have no other calling, no matter our time, place or size, and no other option but to launch out in faith.
Jesus chose 12 and transformed the world. He has chosen us for a task not dissimilar – to be part of His transforming work in our local community setting. The challenge before us is of no different order, and no different resourcing.
Posted by gary at November 8, 2005 11:19 PM
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