Pastor Michael Codrington is in his 3rd church in ten years. Though he has been at his current church, New Haven Community Church for a little more than four years, the church isn’t growing. While the church has leveled out in attendance, Pastor Michael is concerned because the church is not growing, not adding people to its membership or to the number in attendance. As Michael would say, “We are in the fifth year of my three year plan.” He says it jokingly, but inside it seems to be a matter of concern for Michael on an almost continual basis.
Always on the lookout for some new idea or practice and his desire to stay up to date Michael has recently returned home from yet another innovative leadership conference. At this conference Michael heard some very good speakers and picked up a few ideas as happens at most of these conferences. While at the conference Michael did the usual networking with other pastors and ministry leaders; meeting up with old friends and meeting new ones. So when he returned home and his wife, Jill asked, “How was the conference?” Michael’s response was, “You know, same ole, same ole.”
Michael headed down the hallway of their home, then stopped, turned back to his wife and said, “But there was something – or someone actually. I met a pastor from Calvert City. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something unusual about him, in a good way, I mean. He seems to have it all together, things are going right, and people loved being around him at the conference. I enjoyed being around him. I can’t put my finger on it, but I’d like to get to know him better.”
Did you get his number, or at least his e-mail address?” His wife pressed. “Yes, yes I did. In fact we exchanged cards.” Michael responded. Without hesitation Jill insisted, “Well then, you should call him and invite him to meet you for lunch. Maybe he’ll meet you halfway or you can go there. Calvert City is only a forty-five minute drive.” Michael cocked his head to the right and with an upward glance to the left – at nothing in particular and almost quizzically said, “Yeah, he said we could do lunch one day. He even mentioned meeting halfway.” “Good!” said Jill. “Then it’s a done deal. You should call him tomorrow.”
Jill understands the frustrations of being a pastor and not seeing your desired results in your ministry. She also knows her husband and his need to act instead of reacting. Her statement to call this new pastor acquaintance the next day was born out of experience. Jill knows if Michael does not make the call right away and set a lunch appointment, life will get in the way and the whirlwind of busyness will push the desire to do so farther and farther away. Within a couple of weeks Michael will forget altogether and lose his desire to learn from this other pastor. Not from a loss of passion to learn, but out of the day to day pressures and stresses of ministry. New challenges and ministry obligations come along each and every day. Ministry is not a full time job, it is an all-time job, a true calling to ministry is a life devoted to serving God through serving people and growing them in their spiritual walk.
The next morning while sharing breakfast before heading to their respective offices, Jill asks, “What’s on your agenda today?” Michael shares of his need to visit two people in different hospitals meetings with the finance chairman, Building and grounds personnel, and worship pastor, answering e-mails, writing his article for the newsletter. He then closes his recital saying, “And somewhere in there I need to work on my sermon for Sunday morning. I’d like to at least spend an hour on that. An hour would be a luxury today.”
Looking across the table to her husband Jill asks, “And what else?” Michael is puzzled. Jill can see his thought wheels turning. She fixes her gaze on him, waiting for a response. Michael is running through all options in his head. “Is it our anniversary? Am I supposed to pick up one of the kids? Do I have a doctor or dentist appointment?” So many thoughts going through his head yet he cannot settle on anything. Finally he confesses, “I don’t know. What am I forgetting?” Jill simply queries, “The pastor from Calvert City?”
It’s easy to get sidetracked isn’t it? Too often we allow the busyness of our schedule to crowd out the important. Jesus taught us by His actions, He was always more concerned about the important, not the seemingly urgent. In the story of Lazarus (John 11) Mary and Martha sent to Jesus with an urgent request. Our brother, your dear friend, Lazarus, is very sick. Come quickly and heal him before he dies. This sounds like a very urgent plea, does it not?
Jesus, on the other hand was about the important. He said, “This will not end in death.” He did not say Lazarus would not die, but that it would not end in death. Mary, Martha, and the disciples had all seen Jesus heal people from sickness. Not all of them had observed him raise someone from the dead, especially a person who had been dead four days. Jesus knew the more important issue here was to deepen the faith of Mary, Martha, and His disciples. This was accomplished through raising Lazarus from the dead.
What are you facing today? Are you racing toward the urgent or plotting for the most important?