Are You a Nascar Church or a Jeep Church?

In this world, there are stock cars and there are jeeps.  Stock cars travel the same, smooth road over and over and over; round and round and round. They are very good at it. They go fast. They are flashy. They are loud.  Jeeps, on the other hand travel different roads...and they don't travel as quickly.  They take their time and pick the best route. They must go slow. Sometimes, they even stop to scout the way ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery around them. 

What about your church?  Are you more a like a stock car racer on the Nascar circuit or a back country Jeep on a quiet mountain trail? Here is a simple test to help you decide:

A) Does your church 1) need to be loud?  Or, 2) does your church seek that quiet place? If you answered "1", you might be a Nascar church.

"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there." (Mark 1:35)

B) Does your church 1) need to drive on familiar ground, sing familiar songs, and do things the same way again, and again, and again...year, after year, after year? Or, 2) is your church willing to take that road less traveled and step out in faith even if you have never done it that way before? If you answered "1", you just might be a Nascar church.

"And He said to them, 'Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you will find a catch.'" (John 21:6a)

C) Does your church 1) need to be fast; to move at incredible speed from one event to another with no time for rest? Does it feel like there is always something going on, or at least a need for something to always be going on? Or, 2) Is your church an unhurried place where there is assurance that God is in control and the victory has already been won? If you answered "1", that's right. You just might be a Nascar church.

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters." (Psalm 23:2)

D) Does your church 1) need to be flashy to be seen? Are you concerned about advertising and curb appeal? Does your sanctuary need to be ancient and awe-inspiring or contemporary and tech-savvy? Is your survival based on being seen? Or, 2) does your church know the value of leaving no trace; of becoming invisible so that God might be seen? If you answered "1", you most definitely are a Nascar church.

"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with you Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 6:1)

If you are a Nascar church, don't loose hope!  Just don't forget that all good racers eventually apply the brakes and come in for a pit stop. Sometimes the tires need to be changed so that the road before you can be more firmly gripped.  And remember, all good races come to an end. Spend some time between sprints reconnecting with family and catching your breath.  You just may discover that God is off that beaten track, taking the wilderness road.  Perhaps it is time for your Nascar church to just stop, pull over, and smell the burning bush. 

Congregational Sabbath: Less doing. More being.

Photo from www.sxc.hu 933946