That thought is attributed to Michaelangelo. Pretty easy for him to say, right? But that thought has been running around in my heart and mind lately. A few weeks ago, Pete Wilson blogged about this idea as it relates to church life. Maybe that’s why it’s been rolling around in my sub-conscious for weeks.
Over the past few weeks I’ve found myself in several conversations about the state of the church, both local and global. Most of the talk has been positive, even when discussing things that need to change. Of course, it’s always easy to find fault, to focus on the things that aren’t working, areas of dissatisfaction. And I think those problem spots need to be identified. But pointing out the problem is just part of the process.
We’ve got to get around to making things better. Are there some problems in the church (local and global)? Absolutely. Without a doubt. I can’t think of any church that gets it right all the time. But the real question is What are you doing to be part of the solution?
I know that I can get caught up in the details of church, lost in the process of “making” things happen at midtown. Every so often I come up for air, realize that there are some BIG PICTURE things that I’ve been missing, and renew my commitment to doing things differently. Someone smarter than me once said something along the lines of the system you’re using is producing the results that it was designed to produce. If you want different results, you need a different system.
And I guess that’s where I’m landing. I want to think critically about how we do church so that the why we do church gets the attention. I love the church. Scripture calls church the body of Christ, the bride of Christ. I want to honor Jesus, who loved the church and gave his life for her. It’s not wrong to think critically; but unless there’s some creative juice flowing, listening to the voice of God, focusing on the why we do church, I find myself right back in the “head down, dug in, stuck in a rut” kind of place, and the how doesn’t reflect the why.
I’m asking God for some wisdom and courage, and an anointing to see a breakthrough in church. Will you join me?
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