Planning

If you know me very well you know that I am a planner. I have a system for nearly everything I do. Some of those systems are pretty important. I have a pretty thorough Sermon planning checklist. I go through it every week as I prepare and dutifully check off each item when it is completed. I also have a system for putting on my pajamas at night. It is not quite as detailed, and I certainly don’t intend to elaborate here but…I do have a pajama system.

I mention this because like many other people you may know I am getting ready to do something I’ve never done before. Open back up. Business owners and operators of every kind from small franchisees to multi-site conglomerates, to mom/pop shops are all getting ready to open the doors and invite in the public.

And so are we. Work has never really stopped for the Church. Telephone, streaming, Email, texts, social-media. We have been able to leverage these technologies to continue doing ministry-to continue pursuing the mission. And I don't know of any preacher who does not relish extra time to spend on reading, study, and prep time. It has been different. It has been challenging. It does not feel the same. I am sure that despite our best efforts there are some who just don’t feel  “ministered to.” Sheep complain, wolves circle, and shepherds continue with the mission.

And now comes the time to think about the end of the closing-and the re-opening of society; including Grayville First Christian Church and churches throughout our community, state, nation and world.

And I don’t have a checklist. I am just beginning the process of putting together a system. I will work out a full process-driven system from determining the policy, defining the process, describing the procedure, detailing best practices. I do this stuff without thinking-almost reflexively. It is different because the safety, security, and sanity of our worshipping community is in play. If I mess up my Pajama procedure Miss Georgia may snicker at me-but no one’s gonna get pneumonia. There is a bit more at stake.

There are a some things to keep in mind:

• Remember our Biblical Mandate to Worship.
• Review the Theological underpinnings of the Church
• Reconsider what you’ve done in the past. 
• Remind People why.
• Respond kindly to questions and criticism.
• Restore the vision for the future. 

Hey…If I’m not mistaken that kind of looks like the beginning of a checklist, if not a full-blown plan.

Keep your head bowed, your mind engaged, your eyes open, and continue the Mission.