Cut-backs! Lay-offs! Bail-outs! Economic Troubles!

We’re living in troubling times! Finger pointing and casting blame does no good. Our global economy is in turmoil. Solutions are needed, even if they are painful.

I liken where we are to a person waiting on a diagnosis. They have been sick for a season. All kinds of tests performed. Then more tests are needed. This person enters a limbo state – not knowing what’s really going on. When the diagnosis is finally rendered, it might be bad news, but knowing what’s ahead is better than remaining ill, without any possible solutions.

As my above title indicates we have entered a real season of scarcity.

One ‘good’ thing about economic woes is it forces people and organizations to focus on what’s really important. For example, if our mission at Friendship is ‘to do whatever it takes to make disciples for Jesus Christ,’ the question that should consume us is ‘Are we?’ And, if there are there ‘good things’ we are doing but these efforts are draining energy, people and resources and keeping us from doing ‘the main thing,’ shouldn’t we discontinue them?

The answer is an unequivocal ‘yes.’ Sometimes we can get so caught up doing ‘good things’ that it’s easy to forget the key mission of the church. In my second church a huge discussion centered on feeding the fire and police departments (every quarter) a meal to show them appreciation. Everyone agreed that this would be a nice gesture. It would show the community we valued our servants. Then ‘EF Hutton’ spoke up. This highly respected ‘older’ gentleman simply asked, “Is this what we really should be about? Isn’t the job of the church to ‘make disciples’?” Quickly the discussion ended.

In a time of scarcity it is vital to evaluate everything through the lens, “Is this ministry essential? Is this activity, ministry, project, even person, fulfilling our essential mission?” Even though all churches have what Bill Easum calls ‘sacred cows,’ there are times – like this particular time we are in - that some sacred cows make ‘gourmet burgers.’

If Friendship’s vision is to invest in this generation and the next – those already here and those yet to come – with a special affinity to 20’s and 30’s- and if our #1 ‘hedgehog principle’ is to have worship that is ‘real, relevant and not boring,’ then this should drive our resources, not ‘we’ve always done this.’ There will be some ‘good things’ that will likely go, but in making these ‘tough calls’ I believe we will better fulfill the mission God has for us.

Will we take flak? Yes! Do pioneers get shot at? Yes! Is it fun? No! It is gut-wrenching to cancel ‘good things.’ It is difficult to look people in the eyes and say, “We value you but your ministry is not making disciples; though it might be doing some ‘good things,’ we can no longer support or endorse it.”

Yes, scarcity defines vision. We are in a defining mode.

Please pray that we can hear from God as we strive to keep ‘the main thing the main thing.’

I'm Glad I'm Not Obama!

This coming Tuesday Barack Obama will be sworn in as our new president. This is an exciting and pivotal moment in our country's history. He is popular, in some circles considered a rock star, a hero, even a superman.

Though he wanted this position and he campaigned for it - for years - I'm glad I'm not him. In my life memory there has never been a time when we need leadership as our country - even our world - does at this time. I'm praying that God has raised Obama up 'for such a time as this.'

Few would say their lives are better off than four years ago. Most would admit that the days ahead are filled with fear and uncertainty. For economic, moral, even spiritual reasons I hope Obama leads, even calling on God's power to guide and help him. From my perspective he has been given an amazing opportunity to step up and do just this. Numerous people are willing to trust him, to follow him, and to buy into his vision for the future. There will be some rocky days, but it is imperative that he lead. Will he make mistakes? Probably! Will he be criticized? Isn't he in leadership? Yet, no matter where we stand in our support or lack of support for Obama, we need to pray for him as he strives to lead us. It is time to come together in unity as a nation and trust that through God's help 'the best is yet to be!'