It starts as fun and ends in ministry… or maybe even work…
A couple of conversations over the weekend sparked my thinking about how things can start as spontaneous fun, develop into some form of ministry and then maybe even shift into being ‘work’ or a chore.
I was out surfing with my friend Stuart and our sons Sam and Micah and we got talking about how much fun it was – dad’s and kids doing what they love to do and having a blast. Stuart mentioned that he has come across some other parents who also enjoy surfing with their kids and is in the process of establishing a Christian Surfers group in his local area for that particular niche.
They would get together fortnightly on a Saturday to surf, be able to have some competitions, instruction and some Bible study. It would be ‘under’ Christian Surfers and would be a project that at least a few people would need to commit to being part of and present at.
Its a significant shift from just getting together when it suits and enjoying the spontaneity.
Then there are the guys from QBC who get together to fight each Saturday morning. A group of 5 guys meet in another blokes garage to spar, hang out and enjoy offloading some testosterone. One of those blokes suggested this morning that it could become an outreach – a ‘ministry’ of QBC.
It began some interesting conversation around what that would mean and how it may change the feel and focus of the group.
Now both of these activities are great and currently they meet the needs of the people involved and they are proving to be a heap of fun.
So my pondering is whether it is a help or a hindrance to formalise either.
I see benefits and drawbacks to both approaches. What was once just fun now becomes more purposeful. It requires some commitment on the part of the key players. In the case of Fight Club it probably needs some special insurance. In the case of surfing, it means showing up on days when you might otherwise choose not to hit the surf. It means a level of organisation on the part of some to make it happen for others.
There are advantages too.
In both groups the people pulling it together do so with a sense of focus and purpose. Its not just a bit of fun – its bringing mission more to the fore in the flow of life. Its building community and helping people connect more significantly. But a decision like this requires people to give up some of their freedom and to make some commitments. With that comes the potential for weariness and maybe even a loss of enjoyment.
Some would say ‘why not join a local fighting group?’ or ‘why not join a local surf club?’
And they are fair questions too – philosophical questions that relate to why a group exists and theological questions about how ministry and mission occur. If we are to be salt and light then are we better off doing that by joining the local crew?…
Maybe…
Perhaps one of the reasons to consider establishing a group with a specific focus is that you then get to set the culture rather than trying to shift the culture in an already established group. At a pragmatic level I think it is much harder to shift an existing culture (especially a surf club or a ‘fight’ club) than to establish one and call people into it.
At a more basic level it seems that we tend to shy away from anything that actually calls us to commitment whether it is Christian based or community based. I would feel the same way about joining the local little athletics club with the kids as I would about joining a Christian surfers crew. So maybe its less about ministry and more about the broader culture of self-centredness, convenience and choice.
I know that being a pastor is sometimes a right pain in arse because it means I am committed to being there 99% of Sundays – and some days I’d rather not be. The challenge for any of us in this space is to accept the responsibilities, appreciate the benefits and keep the joy alive rather than getting frustrated at the aspects that are less exciting.
That’s a bit longer than I intended to post, but I’d be interested in how others perceive this challenge.
Yes it always seems that when we take activities and either turn them into ministries or at a minimum want to ensure they are purposeful it almost always becomes “work”. I’m a bi-vocational pastor in Canada and one of the trade-off’s I’ve made since becoming bi is that I no longer prepare anything (ie devotional) for our monthly men’s breakfast. It is only those who are a little further down the path that seem to mind. The “newer” believers in the group are ok with just hanging out and letting the conversation go where it may. As for me, it has brought the joy back into the morning. I do all the cooking and men just pitch in as they show up. Now because I’m not worried about whether I’ll have an impact or is what I’ve prepared good enough, it makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.
Excellent, balanced thoughts on the pros and cons. I think you hit it in so many ways – the commitment is both positive and negative; the structure of it has pros and cons; the possibility of reaching or discipling others has some great opportunities… and, as you mentioned, some possible drawbacks. So, I guess all that to say that I agree that it’s a double-edged sword. To add to that double-edge: By formalizing an activity (at least in the church) you create some accountability, which keeps people safe – theologically, physically, etc. However, that same safety can create a culture that puts God in a box, or keeps people from stretching and trying new things because it’s “against the rules.” Just some thoughts in a very short time.
Enjoyed the surf too Hamo. Whilst I was on sabbatical last year I had an experience whilst camping that was the catalyst to heading back into my usual ministry role. This was a camping trip we organised on a Friday afternoon and then headed off that same day for the weekend because I had no church commitments! As I was sitting outside by myself I was thinking about how awesome it was to just be able to get away because of zero church commitments. I think the Holy Spirit interrupted my revelry with “yes, that’s great, and your life is not about comfort and ease, it is about serving me and the Body of Christ.” That stopped me in my tracks. But it highlighted my desire to be ‘free’ from responsibility and be able to do what I wanted to do.
I know people are in different places at different times but my current thinking is just do what you need to do be as fruitful as you can be in your life. And if that involves formalising something, and that takes commitment and perhaps a little sacrifice, so be it. Our lives are not our own.
So is formalising things or not the issue? I think not. More the issue is what is the most fruitful way to do it and just get on and do it. And of course counting the cost so you are as aware as you can be about what you are signing up for.
Dazerkster, I’m right there with you. My family and I have are trying to be intentional, but also organic. We meet together (intentional), but don’t plan the agenda (organic). Can you imagine going on a fishing trip with your son, but preparing your remarks before leaving? Sometimes we think through a topic we need to address with our children, but usually (I hope) we don’t. Shouldn’t you just let the conversation develop naturally? That’s discipleship. Spontaneous organic interactions. Hamo, if you formalize these activities into an institutional ministry, you will lose the beauty of just hanging together.
Hi Guys
Yes there is a trade off. But the trade comes with benefits too.
I think we can enjoy hanging together in a structured way and maybe that is what we will do.
I think when we just hang often we tend to fall apart because people get busy.
What Stu says is good – ‘our lives are not our own’ so we need to hear God’s leading here more than anything