Discerning the Call
Listening for the call to a campaign is no easy task. When we survey scripture, some of God’s calls were loud and clear. Other calls were quieter and less obvious. I’ve worked with some churches where a fire or tornado meant it was necessary to build a new worship and ministry space. Their call was clear. I’ve journeyed with churches who were forced to move due to land acquisition and their need could not be denied. A failed boiler is common cause to look towards a campaign in larger church facilities.
But, I would say, most needs are not so clear. I have seen church leaders wrestle for years about updating worship spaces, starting new programs, expanding ministries, and tackling new community problems without ever coming to a decision. As discussions wear on, leaders change, priorities shift, holidays come, more urgent (and easier to solve matters) take precedence. Shortly thereafter, the leadership forgets the reason they were discussing the original question.
While many churches have already determined they are called to a campaign before I arrive on the scene, a few were still wrestling with the idea. In those cases, I offered a simple discernment process for the leaders of the church.
I encourage pastors and the lay leadership of the congregation to devote time to reflecting on Acts 2:42-47. I offer it to you here from the NRSV:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Some questions leaders could reflect on could be:
How might we devote ourselves to scriptural teachings on stewardship?
Might we consider breaking bread over this calling several times during our discernment?
What does our call to a campaign have to say about those in need around us?
How could a call to a campaign be used to glorify God?
