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I filled our mini-van, well the Generals mini-van, up last week when we were on vacation and it cost me 52.2 % of my weekly salary. That was more than my rent or food, sure I only make $ 175 dollars after taxes but that is crazy.
This made me think though, and I'm not trying to be a conspiracy theorist; I'm over that, if economics keep going the way that they are we may have some serious issues to deal with.
ONE - If fuel increased 50 % in the next 5 years it would cost a substantial amount to transport people back and forth to their worshiping communities. Plus I think that people would be less likely to use fuel to go to Church, this would impact attendance and eventual the core programs that are barely alive now. (no offence)
TWO - If an economic trend of inflation, increasing interest rates, and a higher cost of living continues in general people would be forced to collapse their social lives and fellowshiping from what it currently looks like. Mega Churches would implode and become empty super-structures.
THE ANSWER - Small Group Ministry. If all our current amenities and conveniences were lost the Church could only survive by coming together in local tight knit bodies of worship. What does this look like, well, it looks like neighbors meeting together in each others homes, sharing so that no one went without. The neighborhood that consists of several or dosens of small groups would still worship together but the flesh and bones of this super-simple-natural Church would be neighbors sharing their lot, be it simple, in order that every person would have enough. Even if the greatest economic depression of history hit America these cell based Churches would thrive and grow.
Love would be its fuel.
I have been praying a lot lately about different seasons that Jesus gives us, how some are close to our families and others take us far away. I really have experienced that by following God's will, even if it is far away from friends and family, us being obedient really frees Him up to move in our families. I have experienced a blessing watching him touch our family even as we have been far away, such a blessing !
It is still hard being away though and some tears were shed together thinking how short the moments are when we get back into the groove of morning coffee with Mom and Dad, home cooked meals, kisses on the cheek, familiar smells and sights etc.
I am also learning that our families are equally due our witness the same as each person we minister to at mission; and that Jesus has placed many divine opportunities to share his love right around the dinner table at home.
Thank God for family; let's cherish each and every moment.
As Psalm 68 says ... God takes the lonely and places them in families. Families are his model of community and fellowship.
