Wisdom…
I have been so random with my blog of recent weeks, but I have all of a sudden have some new found inspiration. I was just out to lunch with my friend and children’s pastor, Sam Luce and I we were discussing how people, pastors and movements get stuck. I was commenting on how the Bible presents wisdom as not only being easy to find but portrays it as actually looking for us (Proverbs 1, James 1). The greatest hinderance I think to us seeing or hearing wisdom is our own selves. I have been especially intrigued by how much difference in rhetoric there can be between people who are at different levels in ministry. One recognizable difference is how change is embrace by a pastor, movement or person. What I have found is amongst people like Bill Hybels, Ed Young and Craig Groeschel… they embrace change, and welcome it. They are driven by overriding principles rather than methods. they will try new things and have created a culture where failure is not only acceptable but welcomed as a necessary discomfort to moving forward. Less fruitful people usually are playing it safe (consider the parable of the talents). Ed did a great blog on change today that inspired me – you can see it here . I find the blog refreshing in light of some conversations I recently had. I also wanted to post a video from Bill Hybels talking about changes he was making at Willow…. When confronted on the changes at the church there was no refering back to the past that made him successful back in 1977 but a willingness to say their needed to be change and a willingness to embrace it and to be uncomfortable. When I saw Bill do this my respect for him went through the roof (this is 2005)….
Maybe you haven’t been around as long as I have but when Bill says, “When something can be different and more effective why in the world wouldn’t you do it?” I ask myself the same question. That seems so obvious, but when your around for any amount of time you realize that question is VERY complicated as it is attached to a lot emotional personal stuff. There is tradition and preference and stuff… I’ll leave it at that. All I say is Lord give me the courage to be uncomfortable, to always welcome change, to not be scared by what is different, and to have the heart of a student and not a critic. And in all of it may more people come to know You through it all. Amen!
This one’s a bonus. One of my favorites:
