Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the professor who placed a big jar in front of class, and then started filling it up with some big rocks.  He asked the class was the jar full?  They said, “yes.”  Then he put in medium sized rocks that fell between the big rocks.  Again he asked the class was the jar full?  Again, most of the class said, “yes,”  but some hesitated.  Then he poured in some sand which fell between the cracks of the big and medium sized rocks.  He asked the class again, was the jar full?  Now most of the class hesitated.  Then he took out a pitcher of water and poured it into the jar.  Now, he said, the jar is full.  “The hard part is,” he went on to explain, “figuring out which are the big rocks (the most important things in life), from those that are of medium importance, and those many small things that distract us and take up most of our time, attention, and energy.  Always put the BIG ROCKS in first!” The necessary challenge is to set priorities!

When John the Baptist proclaimed, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near,” he was calling us to change our thinking/attitudes and to change our living/actions, so that our whole lives may be aligned to welcome in God’s Kingdom.  John is calling us to answer the question: in God’s Kingdom, what are the BIG ROCKS?  And, are we putting the BIG ROCKS in first, through our attitudes, actions, and the use of our time, talents, and treasures?  Or have we filled our lives and our church with medium sized rocks and small pebbles, pouring water over it (blessing it) and calling it good enough?

As we address another budget deficit for 2011, we will need to again ask the question: WHAT are the BIG ROCKS, and are we putting those things first, before those medium and small priority things; and, HOW are we going to put in those BIG ROCKS first in terms of the time and effort of our committees, lay leaders, the church members, and the staff?  Honest reflection and feedback, evaluation and prioritizing, and finding the tools and resources will help us on the way.

A Task Force already met last week to start brainstorming ideas to help us address our budget deficit for 2011.  Our first step was to clarify what the current situation really is, not just in terms of the budget, but in terms of the “why” we are in this situation.  So, what’s going on?  1) Many people are unemployed, or significantly underemployed, as well as facing other financial difficulties because of health issues; 2) Some families have moved or withheld giving because of the ELCA vote to allow congregations to bless same-sex relationships and call gay clergy in committed relationships; 3) We have seen stagnant growth for the past four to five years; 4) We have ministry areas that are not as healthy, vibrant, or effective as they should or need to be.

We then quickly developed a list of budget priorities and identified areas that could be reduced or cut, and then funded or accomplished in other ways, while keeping focused on our CORE MINISTRY and MISSION.  Some ministries will need to figure out how to fund themselves, for instance:  all costs for adult education (books, DVD’s, speakers, etc.) will need to be paid for by the participants, or through donations.  We need to decrease postage expenses by increasing and improving our use of website and internet technology to better connect with our members and the community to increase participation.  We also need those that can to increase their giving for 2011, even if just a small amount a week.  Through budget adjustments, deferring expenses to 2012, small but widespread increases in giving, and reducing a variety of line items across the budget, we will reduce the deficit to a reasonable and manageable level for 2011.  But what about the BIG ROCKS of our ministry and mission?

Well, the BIG ROCKS are not: specific programs or activities, committees, groups, staff, or people in the church.

The BIG ROCKS are the following 8 quality characteristics of healthy, growing congregations:

• EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP
• GIFT ORIENTED MINISTRY
• PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
• FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURES
• INSPIRING WORSHIP SERVICES
• HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
• NEED-ORIENTED EVANGELISM
• LOVING RELATIONSHIPS

Notice that these 8 quality characteristics describe practices, habits, and attitudes that are reflected in the programs, activities, groups, staff, and members of the congregation, not the other way around.  The organization, “Natural Church Development,” has been doing research and working with over 45,000 churches around the world on improving these 8 quality characteristics of their congregations, and the results have been impressive.  This is not a program, but a way of reflecting, evaluating, and prioritizing the ministry and mission of the church.  It is not a quick fix, but a way of seeking on-going growth, improvement, and health for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the spiritual growth to maturity of Christ’s disciples.

Change is hard.  Change is natural and unavoidable.  Yet, we do avoid it at almost any cost, even given the ultimatum, “Change or die!”   So God sends us prophets like John the Baptist, to prepare the way, “Repent (CHANGE), for the kingdom of heaven is near!”  Or we are confronted with another budget deficit, which I believe God is using to wake us up for the need to change, to re-evaluate, to re-commit ourselves to improving our ministry and mission that God has given us, because for Christus Victor, if we don’t change, it will probably not be immediate “death,” but a slow progression unto “death” by having to cut staff and cut ministries because we didn’t change what we needed to change for the growth and health of the ministry, mission, and most importantly, the spiritual growth of the disciples of our church and community.

I much prefer playing around with “small rocks,” because it gives me the illusion that I am in control, that what I want to focus my time, talents, and treasures on is ultimately important.  But when circumstances make me focus on the BIG ROCKS, I realize I’m not in control, and that I need to pray, a lot, and to give control over to God, and then follow where He leads, even if that means “repenting/changing” for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  So, there you have it, we’ve got to change, we’ve got to repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near!  Repent/change, and believe the Good News!