By: Rev. Dr Paul Raybon
In my recent article I pointed to the radical days of Pentecost as a model for the church to navigate uncertain times. There is another option found in Acts 5.
Do you remember old Rabbi Gamaliel? Rabbi and mentor of Saul before he was Paul? He speaks out at the trial of Peter and John. Gamaliel tells the council,
I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!
There is wisdom in Gamaliel’s path. If you can’t get on board the crazy train of change, if it seems to be going somewhere you’re not ready to go, then step aside and watch and see what happens. If it is of God, it will look more and more like Jesus as it goes along and maybe you can catch up later. If it is not, then it will fade away like the last fad and the hundreds before that. And you’ll still be where you were. This may be an option we need to offer members who just can’t go where the church is going.
But there is a sad resignation in Gamaliel’s perspective. A sense that “God may be doing something amazing, but I’m not up to it”. An awareness that “there may be something beyond what I can see, but I’m fine with my current view”.
As I approach 60, I can understand that. But when I was a very young man, wherever I lived I always kept a poster in my room, It was a picture of a sailboat, with a quote by John Shedd; “A ship is safe in the harbor, but that is not what ships are built for.”
In the same way, to stay exactly as we always have been is contrary to our design. God made us to be amazingly adaptable. He gave us imagination, not only to see what might be, but to be able to see the world through someone else’s eyes. We can weep when another person weeps, we can rage when another person rages, we can celebrate when another person celebrates. We are made to reach beyond ourselves. So why stay where we have always been?
These thoughts are from Rev. Dr. Paul Raybon, our partner in ministry in the Western Carolinas, who can help you and your ministry navigate congregational identity, mission, and effectiveness. He is Co-Pastor at Hominy Baptist Church near Asheville, NC and works with churches and leaders as a coach and consultant in communication, visioning, administration, and spiritual formation. Contact him for more information about how he can help you.