Environmentalist...

I've decided recently that I'd like to become an environmentalist.  Before you freak out and think I'm going to buy a Prius and start eating organic foods (not that there's anything wrong with that), let me explain.  I've learned under several qualified individuals the ins and outs in ministry.  For the most part, I've learned the importance of structure, discipline, and building relationships with both leaders and students.  I've learned to become organized and actually care about the calendar.  I've learned how to program events and ministries in order to get people involved.  I'm not, by any means, perfect at any of these aspects of ministry, but I get the idea.  If you haven't yet heard, I'm on a "community" kick.  That term, and it's Biblical  description (located in Acts chapter 2), have literally consumed most every conversation in my life for the past couple months.

I love math.  I love to have the answers and know how to make things work.  I like that 2 + 2 always equals 4.  In the same respect, I like knowing the right ways to do ministry in order to see people have genuine encounters with our living God.  The problem, as I see it, is that there is no program that's right for everybody.  Everybody will experience God in a slightly different way, whether that be in the stillness and quiet of their prayer closet, or in the midst of chaotic ping pong tournaments after midweek worship.  I want people to experience authentic, Christ-like community, but I can't make them.  I can't program community.  I can't structure community.  However, I can help create an environment that is conducive to generating natural (organic) community.  It all starts by shifting my focus from the health of the ministry and refocusing on the health of the people.  A healthy environment will promote healthy people.  I want a healthy environment.  Ergo, I'm becoming an environmentalist.  Oh and by the way, I'm hoping to get an F-150 in December :)