Growing Up

Growing Up and taking responsibility are huge in my house right now. Bowen and Kendall are two and half and this morning they decided to go to the bathroom themselves and dress themselves without any help. None! I was a little scared about what disaster I would find when I found the diapers. No mess. No tears. No bite marks! I thought, "My wife has to be home somewhere around here." What did I miss? When did this happen? For weeks now we have been potty training and all that entails. For weeks we have be letting the kids pick their clothes for the day and showing them how to put them on.
And then I was sad. My babies are growing up. They don't need me as much as they once did. Part of me longed for them to need my guidance, my help, my touch.

And then I was proud. Even though they are two they are becoming independent. Making their own choices. The clothes they picked out even matched!

As I drove to work today, I thought how much of this is like what we do in ministry. Many parents try to keep their kids dependent on them for as long as possible and then complain when they act like babies. At church, we treat the people in our churches like spiritual babies and then complain when they act like it. We whine and we complain that they won't "grow up", but in reality, are we training them up? If we're honest, isn't it our pride that says, "I want these people dependent on me and my gifts"? If I give them the tools, they might leave. Yeah they might. That's what Jesus did (Luke 9:1-10 and 10:1-10).

We're not in the business of building our own kingdom but the Kingdom.

As I write recommendation letters for colleges this year, I struggle with this. My seniors are all grown up. I want them to stay here ... hang out with me ... help my ministry. That would be me building my kingdom, not the Kingdom. I've got to be satisfied with the small part I have had in shaping their amazing lives and now, it is time to watch them change the world.

Empty

Today I went to a restaurant with no one in it.  It was me and two workers.  The food was awesome.  the decorations were hip and inviting.  Parking was easy.  Why then was no one there?  I was at the restaurant for 45 minutes and outside of taking my order I was never talked to.  Not engaged...at all.  If you know me you know that I am fiercely loyal to the restaurant I pick.  I like to be on a first name basis with mangers and waiters.   

This place sold the same food as Panera Bread, one of my favorite places in the world.  The only thing I don't like about it is it is a chain.  However, at Panera two of the clerks know my name, at Panera one of the clerks asked me about a youth conference that she attended (I was the speaker).  I get great service along with my amazing Asiago Bread and broccoli and cheese soup.  They know to take the onion off of my sandwich and grill it a little longer cause they know I hate a cold center.  I am in love with Panera and its product.

What's the point?  What do our churches resemble?  If we look at ourselves our "product" is awesome (Jesus).  We may have a awesome building, decorations, media presentation, or worship but if we are not connecting with people we will be empty. This restaurant cared about their product, it was delicious.  What they didn't care about was their customer.  When the whole point is attracting customers to experience the food. If we are honest how many of our churches could say the same thing.