Unfortunately, this mixed metaphor describes
what we often do in church. Naturally
creative people come up with new ideas then those ideas are stifled in the implementation
phase. Why? There are many causes—a desire
to control, fear of the untried, failure
to understand, satisfaction with the status quo, or lack of vision.
Exactly what is the role of leaders and
leadership groups (committees, deacons, elders, etc.) in a congregation? Are these people gatekeepers or permission
givers? Do they seek to empower or
control? Do they build up the body of
Christ or hold it captive?
Certainly, there is a need to vet new ideas to
make sure that they are moral, financially feasible, and comply with basic legal
concerns. Real leaders, however, find
ways to bring creative ideas into compliance so that they can move ahead rather
than be stopped in their tracks.
One reason that young adults are disenchanted
with the church is that they no longer see the church as open to
innovation. In too many cases, the desire
of entrenched leadership to preserve and protect has overcome the desire to
create and bring new life. We find many young adults who start their own
ministries because they are not willing to jump through congregational or
denominational hoops that ten to squeeze the life out of ministry.
John 3:8 says, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone
born of the Spirit.” (NIV) Not
every new idea is born of the Spirit, but perhaps we should be more prayerful in
our consideration and spiritually discerning before we squelch something new.
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