Irreconcilable Differences?

Friday, October 07, 2011
Irreconcilable Differences? Last night I got to hang out with some truly great guys for a couple of hours. These guys are in the trenches of youth ministry, which gives us much to talk about when we get together. We understand the struggles of one another. We understand the challenges that come up against each of the ministries God has given us to be a part of. We have so much in common. Yet, we also have our differences.
I’m so blessed to be doing ministry in a town where these meetings are possible. Several of us in the Cabot Youth Ministry Network have shared on occasions how much of a dream it’s been for many of us to cooperate with other churches like we are now. Many times, dare I say MOST of the time, this isn’t possible everywhere. There are several reasons, too.
One glaring reason is the “competition factor.” As sad as it is, in most towns many student ministries feel like they are competing with one another. No, they may not say it, but in reality they feel that they have to outdo the church down the street in order to reach more kids. The ideas have to be better and more catchy, and the music has to be just a step above, otherwise all their kids will slowly migrate away to the other ministries. If this sounds silly to you congratulations – you’ve just instantly realized what it’s taken years for some to accept.
And then there are the differences. It seems like the most daunting hurdle to cooperation in ministry with other churches is that one word “differences.” Whether you’re working alongside churches of the same “denomination” or daring to venture outside the context of the same label that you bear, there are differences. We often view those as insurmountable – too large to overcome. It’s that misconception that prevents us from realizing so much of the potential the church has today.
I’m fully prepared for the onslaught of emails I will be receiving today as a result of this blog. Many of you will no doubt have strong words to say to me about “pulpit affiliation” or other terms we’ve coined throughout the decades. The truth of the matter is, last night I enjoyed some sweet fellowship with some guys that don’t agree with me on many things. A few in our meeting hold denominational ties to other places than I. But we all agree, wholeheartedly, on one major thing together: knowing Christ as Savior is the only hope students in Cabot, Arkansas have of being ready for life and death. And we agree on what it takes to know Him.
Sure there’s more involved in discipleship than that, and we all understand that. That’s the reason we’ve left discipleship up to our local churches, and chosen to cooperate on what we can do together: evangelism. There’s also a great deal to be said about our fellowship and, dare I say it, friendship with one another. I value these guys – I treasure their service to Christ, students, and their desire to encourage one another as we serve together in the trenches of this town’s student culture.
You’ve got every right to have a problem with that. It is, after all, America, and we are all entitled to freedom of speech. But know this before you prepare to write that email addressed to me this morning: I have no reservations whatsoever about the fellowship, friendship, and cooperation of the Cabot Youth Ministries Network. God used this crew to put together an event that brought Christ to thousands of students in this town through the Life Book movement last week, as well as just over 900 at one time as the Gospel was presented at the See You After The Pole event last Wednesday night. I’m pretty sure that's something I'm excited to be a part of...it's a trend I want to continue.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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