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I just got off a website that proclaimed they were “church done different.” 

Now, I still have my English teachers in the back of my head saying that this is awkward English (OK, they would have said the phrase was just grammatically wrong).  In the front of my head is the question – “What is church done differently?”

As a retired pastor, that question has popped up more than once in my lifetime.  If church is an activity, this particular website talked about happenings – with their illustrations looking eerily similar to other churches.  If church is a building, the pictures looked like many other church buildings (in a day and age when church buildings range in size and splendour).  If church is relationships, the exposure to leadership and to any people was lacking (there were no names of pastors or elders or ministry leaders, or any one else).

I understand the quandary.  There is always a core that distinguishes any institution.  The values expressed on the website were about relationship, inclusion, authenticity and Spirit filled – what I would say is fairly generic for a church. 

But then, what makes you different?  Is “different” the new improved approach to church?  What have you decided to not pursue?  Are you only interested in those who have been to church and want a new menu?

Maybe we need to ask – “What would it look like to escort God into our community in such a way that a group of people would form to proclaim God loudly, seek God deeply and rid themselves of anything that would stop that from happening?”

Would that be church done different?

What I do well, I love to do.  I am a singer and a song leader.  I am a writer.  These professions I do well.  Some would say I excel.  Others are excellent painters, or drywallers, or administrators, or thinkers, or caregivers, or . . .

I find joy in working for others.  When a festival of song is completed, I sit back with joy – glad to see others have found inspiration in the time together.  When a posting or a short story expresses another’s feelings, I am satisfied.

Gifted professionals – those who find joy, satisfaction and a sense of service to those around them – sometimes lose the wonder of what they are able to accomplish.  The great gift they have been given becomes just another part of their toolbag.

I did not shape my mouth or create my lungs.  I did not fashion my brain or create the pathways of thought.  I have nurtured that which I have been given.  I have sought the counsel of others.  I have used my gift for the benefit of others.

But I did not create my gift.  None of us did.  I hold that this gift is a creation, not of random molecules, but of a wise and loving creator.

And I stand in awe! 

This past weekend was spent at a cabin on Lake Diefenbaker. 

The morning’s were ideal for taking a walk.  Just down the pavement a mile or so, and back.

On the way, a herd of cows abides.  With plenty of fenced grassland.  And no worries that I can see.

So, being the retired preacher that I am, I decided to preach to the cows both days of my walks.  By preach, I mean, raise my voice enough they can hear me, comment on their current situation, and observe their reactions.

The first day, most were seated on the ground.  As I began to speak a few turned their faces to me.  Then, in a mass agreement, most arose and turned towards me.  Of course, there were those who did not deign to notice my presence.  There was no loud speech from them – I guess I don’t speak “cow” well enough.

The second day, the crowd was a little removed – standing in the pasture.  As I began to speak, they began to migrate to the fence.  The first to arrive was later pushed aside so that others could see me.  The row of faces was nonplussed by my rhetoric, and as I returned on my way back to the cabin, they had all disappeared into the fog on the other side of the pasture.

So, I guess I need to learn “cow”, join them in their daily life and find out what interests them.  Then I can truly preach to the cows.

Well, my plumbing days are numbered.  And the number keeps getting higher because the leaks keep occurring.

Usually I’ve been able to find a leak and fix it.  Copper pipes were easy.  PEX is easy to install as well, provided your crimper works well, the pipe is not compromised and you don’t end up routing things in such a way that you can’t reach the offending area.

I might have hit on all three things in this past project.

Not to say that I won’t do plumbing again – and not to say that I won’t finish off this current project (perhaps with a professional’s help??).  But for the moment a rest, with no dripping water, would be great!!