Winding Up 2007

I just spent the last 2 days putting the budget proposal together for 2008.  While I performed this arduous task, I listened to a lot of rock n roll… including. The entire “Story Of The Clash Volume I” two times, Bruce Cockburn’s “Dart To The Heart” about 5 times, a bunch of Mutemath,  and a little bit of “Circle Slide” by The Choir.  I can’t listen to music when I study..  it totally distracts me.. but it had nice way of complimenting the accounting.  The music was fun, but the numbers weren’t.

It’s been another “good” year for us at Calvary Chapel.  We didn’t grow in numbers.  No, we shrunk.  We didn’t grow in finances…  nope.. about $40k less than 06.  We didn’t grow in fancy events and programs.  Nope..  actually did less…  and yet, I still account it as being a good year.  For me, 2006 was the year that my eyes opened to greater horizons in the areas of pastoring and church ministry.  It’s almost as if I’ve been standing in a door-way, looking into a room, then, one day, I turned around.  I still stood in that same door-way, but now looked outside to the far horizons.  Suddenly, the possibilities I was visually taking in increased exponentially. God is teaching me how to do my job in ways I never imagined.  He has me dreaming and thinking in ways that blow the “box” to pieces.  The year was quiet, but when it’s quiet, it’s easier to listen.

God is going to do something different and unique with us.  I’m not sure how, nor am I too sure when.. but I’m sure of it all the same.  We’re still holding to the rock solid truth, but there may be a change in the way we manifest that truth to the world around us.  My hope.. is that we can become “the church”.. and not just “a church”.  I hope that we can develop a mentality and a practice that causes us to live our lives.. 7 days a week, as those who communicate to the world around us.. that we are “the church”, a living organism of love and humility striving to represent Christ every day and in every way.  When will these dreams manifest into reality?  Who knows?  Maybe 2008.  Maybe 2009.  I’m just going to wait and see.