“I will try new and creative ways of ministry.”
“I will allow the Spirit to move me to places on faith.”
Risk equals experiment which equals new. We can’t try something new if we don’t risk the old. This means we try it, don’t have to keep it, but we’ll never know if we don’t try. If you aren’t risking something, you’re not moving on faith. If you aren’t risking something, you’re not trying something new. Risk keeps ministry from becoming stagnant. Risk does not always bring success, but those who risk will eventually find it.
We recently risked a few things at the church. We risked our Wednesday night programming. Last year we tried a talk show format that was a big success. This year we evaluated the old elective format, the new talk show format and asked if they complimented our mission. The leadership decided that the Wednesday night format was reduplication and a competitive strategy with our small groups. So, we moved our small groups into Wednesday night. This was a success, it allowed two new groups to form and moved previously non committed members into committed groups. This was a success. We failed when we tried doing Wednesday nights at the church without food – okay we don’t have to do that again.
Risk allows us to recreate our ministry in a way that is effective and glorifying to God. Risk can be dangerous and can be costly. If you never risk then you’re betting on constancy in culture and that maybe the biggest risk of all.
Inviting people into an intentional relationship is part of the challenge, but perhaps the first challenge is finding someone to partner with you in intentionality. Who will help challenge me? Who can I challenge and bless?
This is the first question we must ask and the answer is probably more obvious than it appears. You can have an intentional relationship with anyone you know, respect and trust. The challenge is not to find a new friend but take an existing friendship to a deeper place.
Consider perhaps as a “Paul” in your life: a parent, a small group leader, a man or woman older than you who can guide you through your present life stage. Find someone who has lived their life well, who you say, “I’d like to end up like them.” Once you find them ask , “Could you help me navigate some obstacles in my life now and help guide me with prayer.” I’ve asked that question of several people and I’ve yet to be turned down.
For a “Barnabus” look to a spiritual friend you have, perhaps someone in your small group or church. A friend whose mind is turned towards the things of God. If a “Paul” is your coach helping you know how to train, then a “Barnabus” is your workout partner calling you at 5:30am making sure you’ll meet him at the gym.
Finally a “Timothy” is someone your heart is drawn towards, as you look out in your church at some younger people, or younger Christians, who do you see yourself in? Who is facing a struggle you have faced? Who could be blessed with a word of hope from you?
Take time to discern these people in your life. Pray. Ask God to reveal someone that you can be intentional with, I can personally testify that he honors this prayer. Recently after moving I was looking for a Barnabus and through prayer I was guided to a friend. We still have our intentional friendship and we still encourage each other. The steps to intentionality are challenging and perhaps awkward, but if we’re to have strong fellowship we must take these steps.
Small group was great tonight, as we explored the meaning of fellowship a great question came up. How do we form truly deep fellowship relationships? As we looked at a model common in the church to have a Paul (mentor or coach), a Barnabus (running partner) and a Timothy (little brother or sister) the question was asked, “How do I get these relationships?”
I think that is the question we all are asking, “How do I get rewarding relationships?” What does it take to get relationships that are mutually beneficial and bring us to a place of growth? The answer – intentionality. By being intentional in our relationships we can move beyond surface acquaintance into a deep connection. The reason we have so many shallow relationships is because we haven’t offered and risked anything to take them deeper.
There is a risk associated with deep relationships. I must disclose more of myself, give more of myself in order to deepen a relationship. The info on my Facebook page isn’t enough to sustain a long term relationship. I have Facebook friends I’ve never communicated with, how deep is our relationship? I have acquaintances I’ve not talked to for over fifteen minutes, what do I risk with them?
What would happen if I approached one of these people and asked, “Would you enter into an intentional friendship with me?” How would they respond? Confused? Afraid? Both? What if the question was less formal, perhaps ask, “Could we get together once a month? Call me and let me call you to encourage you in our faith.” This is the start of fellowship, this is the relationship God desires us to have with the church – will we pursue it with intentionality?
