We’re used to it. We drive regularly across the Te Haumi bridge and know that, from the driver's seat, the bridge parapet covers part of the 50kph speed limit sign. The bit that's not visible says "In 400 m".
Because we're local, we know that we don’t have to slow down to 50kph for another 400metres. But strangers coming down the hill in front of us see only the top part of the sign and slow down, holding up everyone behind them. It’s very frustrating.
But it’s a bit like life. We not only have to watch for the signs. We also need to be sure that the signs we see are complete and that we are not missing some important piece of information.
I guess part of the business of the church is to help people look for the signs and interpret them. And if we don’t see them very clearly ourselves, our capacity for helping others is greatly reduced. Keeping our eyes open and interpreting the signs,
Congregations using Local Shared Ministry may have to work particularly hard at this. It can be too easy for them to be Ok on the practical stuff but sometimes a little hard to work at the visionary and prophetic elements of ministry.
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I feel sorry for you Dave,having to drive an extra 400m at only 50Kph. Think of all the things you could have accomplished.
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, You have raised a very complex subject. When our mainline church attendances are falling. I believe that they are afraid to face up to interpreting the New Testament Gospels as written for a reason. For people living under a military dictatorship, probably not unlike Nazi Germany.
When for decades we have taken our Gospels as history.
We are going to have to drive cautiously.
Your friend Farmercorby.