Opening Conversations

How would you feel if you entered your church to see shoes of all different shapes, colours, sizes and cleanliness hanging from the ceiling? That is how we decorated our church last month for our "stepping out" series. We also had a boat with a pair of gum boots/wellies next to it as we thought about how we could "Step out of the boat".

Visuals are an effective way to help people in the congregation to ponder the overarching theme. However, there was some concern that shoes hanging in the church had taken the visual effects a step too far. Were shoes hanging from the ceiling "pleasing to God?"

Maybe you've had someone ask you a similar question when you've tried something new?

Obviously shoes hanging in a church strikes a chord with some people. However, I found that shoes hanging in a church are actually conversation starters. A new family at one of our Sunday services asked the person they sat next to what the shoes were for. Our playgroup coordinator told me that several care givers in our playgroups had asked her what the shoes were doing hanging from the ceiling and she was able to share the theme and the message of the shoes with the families. As different groups have entered our church I'm sure they've noticed the shoes hanging up and maybe they haven't been brave enough to ask what they're for but it may have triggered a thought for them. Maybe they'll ask about something else they see in the church in another series.

Shoes hanging in a church may not be aesthetically pleasing to the eye but they do open conversation. I would say those conversations are pleasing to God.

Too much coffee?

I'm in the process of deciding what the new staff role should be for next year. Last night I had a dream that my supervisor told me I had made a mistake and instead I should have hired a Barista! I know I've been drinking a lot of coffee recently but you know you've definitely had too much coffee when you start dreaming you need to hire a Barista and your church doesn't even have a kitchen let alone a cafe!!

Stepping Out

We have just started a second service at our church; a night service. It just so happens that the theme I had planned for August is stepping out which I think is very apt as starting a night service is a big step out!

Today's text was "Jesus walks on water" and in the morning service I talked about fear of failure and being a church that shouldn't be afraid to take risks. Instead we need to be a church that encourages people to step out, take risks, and support people willing to risk failure. The night service is an example of where our church has decided to risk doing something new, risk changing the culture of the church and risk failure.

Of course we really hope we don't fail, we really want the night service to succeed but there is always a risk in starting something new.

I talked earlier about transition being a time of growth and it turns out failure is also a growing opportunity. I've been reading Craig Groeschel's "It - How churches and leaders can get it and keep it" and am reminded that as a church we need to be willing to get out of our comfort zones and risk failure. Actually Groeschel says "Failure is not an option. It is essential."

I'm still getting used to the idea that failure can be a good thing but I understand the concept. So we have started a night service hoping not to fail. However, we would prefer to step out and try something new and risk failure than to never try and remain in our comfort zone. So, we are getting our toes wet, focusing on Jesus and trusting God; it's going to be an interesting ride :-)

JOY!

Since I started at my new placement in March a common question is asked of me from my friends, my supervisor, my formation panel, and staff at the college....."What brings you joy?"

I have found it hard to answer that question because I feel I'm surrounded by new people, new ways of doing things, new ways of communication, new understandings of structure and leadership. Sometimes finding joy has been the last thing from my mind as I've juggled my way through the newness each week. This doesn't mean I haven't been happy but joy wouldn't have been a word I would have used a lot in the past few months.

Recently as I reflected on what brought me joy in my placement I replied "Communion". In the words and actions used to bring my church community together through Holy Communion I have had a sense of peace and joy. I was a little surprised I answered this way but it was an honest answer; Communion brings me joy in both the giving and receiving. This doesn't mean I have found a comfort level, I am still in transition, but I can honestly say I feel joy in Communion.

Today was a turning point for me. Today, I felt the bubbles of excitement and joy as I spent time thinking about the future plans of the church and some of the things that are already beginning to take shape. It was as though an old friend had come to visit and I could feel the excitement continue to build. Today I experienced joy: joy in having the privilege of leading such a supportive group of people, joy for what is happening in my church and joy for the future possibilities that are being dreamed.

I thank God for joy!