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 :-)