Wednesday, April 11, 2012

One Size Doesn't Fit All

I hate those hats that say one size fits all. I mean who are they kidding as if me and Barry Bonds can wear the same hat. Well I believe the same is true for urban ministry. While there are a myriad of models out there to observe and learn from I think every city and context is different.

When working in urban ministry there are a myriad of people to glean from. Legends like Dr. John Perkins, Bob Lupton, Mo Leverett and Randy Nabors just to name a few. I have had the privilege to spend time with these men and all have great insight into best practices of urban ministry. But like with everything else everybody has blind spots. We all carry our baggage and presuppositions to how effective ministry should be done. While I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for the wisdom these men possess I also see the need to charter my own course, implementing and practicing what fits into my context.

You cannot simple visit a ministry or a city and think that same model will work for your city. I have experienced this with our recent mentoring program we have launched. No two places are alike and there is a great need for heavenly wisdom in what we attempt to do for Christ. The more I labor in his kingdom the more I am convinced I need to charter my own course, God's course for what ministry looks like in my context. It's not that I devalue anything I have learned and observed from others because I have received priceless insight I wouldn't trade for anything. It's that I think we become more dependent on models and methods from others than we do insight from the Holy Spirit.

Trying to impose what others have done takes away your own personal discovery of crying out to God for wisdom and humility. I have noticed lately that when I pray and search the Scriptures for myself I tend to teach others and inspire them from a deeper resevoir than simply reteaching what someone else has come up with through their personal discovery and time with the Lord.

All that to say "DO YOU". Learn your community, learn your people and their desires. Take time to listen both to the community you minister to and those whose resources you wish to tap into. Be careful of the swinging pendulum that makes people scared to death of taking initiative or saying the wrong thing, and don't take your ball and go home when people don't necessarily agree with your philosophy. Practice discernment and seek wisdom. Ultimately if the Holy Spirit is not in it there is no power in what we are doing. Spend more time praying and less time strategizing.

JW