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Big ideas tend to stay ‘ideas’ because ‘the details’ have the ability to protect them from ever moving into the realms of reality
Take clearing out the garage as an example – great idea in principle, but where exactly do you plan to put all the stuff? Some of the items are too big for the wheelie bin, in fact too big for the car! Perhaps hire a skip… but if you are going to hire a skip it should also be used to clear out the rubble in the back corner of the garden… perhaps wait until the summer… and the details go on helping to establish the big ideas long standing position on the ‘to do’ list! (I realise I may have just given you an insight into how my brain works rather than how you process big ideas – especially those with tidy garages, but work with me and apply it to something different… organising a large party, decorating a room, restructuring the European division of an international company!)
As I stood at the church’s side door looking at the field, the ‘Edge’ youth band were leading 80 or so people in loud worship behind me. The ‘big idea’ rehearsed itself in my mind again; would there ever be an extended building in front of me? Would there be people gathering there Expressing worship to God, Embracing in fellowship, Engaging with God’s word. Extending the love of God to those who don’t yet know, Enriching lives with the truth of Jesus and Empowering others through serving, releasing more blessing?
The ‘big idea’ wasn’t a new one. We had talked and prayed so much about what the next step might be, but now something was different. There was a real possibility that this would happen. But then the details rushed in – the land details needed to be worked out, agreed and the land purchased, plans and planning would be complex for a well integrated extension which would meet present and future needs, a staggering amount of money would need to be found, then we faced the stresses and strains of the build – I’ve seen Grand Designs, this is not a peaceful path! PLUS, during all this our church family needed to keep being and doing all that we presently are and more! I turned back to those worshipping, praising and thanking God and I pondered.
The field and extension plans are a ‘big idea’, but the real ‘big idea’ is not a larger building. What God is looking for is a place where young and old can encounter God, a place to belong, find hope, faith and love. It’s not about a building, but a living growing community that knows God.
Back in the book of Judges we find a man called Gideon. He was tasked to do something that looked impossible: to take on a vast enemy army. He gathered as many troops as he could muster – quite a few actually – but then God seemed determined to make the task harder, not easier! God kept telling Gideon he had too big an army so streamline – twice! Then they were only armed with torches and trumpets! God had a ‘big idea’ that required: sacrifice, fears to be faced, obedience, faith. It wasn’t about defeating the enemy, but the hearts of Gideon and his men. (They won by the way!)
Our ‘big idea’ to create more space for more people to encounter Jesus is actually God’s idea – it is called church! It requires sacrifice, fears to be faced, obedience and faith – we’ve already seen that with previous steps we’ve taken as a church. This time is no different. Will you join together again to commit our all in prayer, action and giving to God’s ‘big idea’?
Mark Madavan
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