Form or Substance?
Once upon a time there was a small church in a small town. To be sure, that church hadn’t 
always been small, at one time it had been the second largest in the county, back when Taft was president. It was still one of the biggest around the time of the Second World War, but now it was almost forgotten. One day after a weeknight Bible study for which almost no one showed up, Jan, the only attendee was chatting with Pastor Jack about the state of things…
“We had more participation when we had a list of jobs for everyone to do,” Jan was saying, “but now that we don’t have lists of assignments for everyone, it doesn’t feel the same.”
“What kind of assignments were on those lists?” asked Pastor Jack.
“Well, I would post a list that said this couple was going to greet, and that person would lead the singing, and someone else would take out the trash and clean the restroom, and somebody else would cut the grass,” Jan replied.
“What was your job, Jan?”
“My job was making the list.”
“Ah, I see,” said Pastor Jack. “So how long did this list go on?”
“I started making the list about six years ago, and went until you came last year,” Jan said, “and while we did that, we were all united, we were One. But now it doesn’t feel like we are One any more, because we don’t have jobs assigned like we used to.”
Pastor Jack asked, “How many people came to church when you started the list?”
“Well let’s see… I think it was about 40 people in those days,” replied Jan.
“And did you post 40 jobs for people to do every week then?”
“Oh no, a lot of people didn’t do the jobs I put them down for, so I didn’t need 40 jobs. I only had enough jobs for the people who would follow though and do them.”
“So then this began with 40 people, and when I came last year there were only 9 people. Where did the other 31 go?”
“Well some of them left because we couldn’t keep a pastor around for very long; we had quite a few unfaithful pastors you see, and then the unfaithful ones who wouldn’t do their jobs from the list left because they never joined in our unity.”
“I see, and so you want to start making the list again, instead of me just asking people to do things, so that we can be ‘one’ again?”
Frustrated, Jan replied, “No, I want you to make the list!”
Filled with amazement and wonder, Pastor Jack asked, “So let me ask you Jan, are we One in doing jobs from a list, or are we One in Jesus Christ?”
Any thoughts?
Life Project Blog 
Everyone needs to work together doing the jobs. There should not be just one person making the list. They need to work together in Jesus. Thanks for sharing this!
Having a plan feels safe. We don’t have to rely on others or trust their judgement – we just follow the plan. This is the old dilemma of how much structure does the Church need before it stifles the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
I admit some Sundays I get so wrapped in audio-media during a service, I forget to “worship”. I do say something to myself before communion that I took from my Catholic days. Some Sundays are easier than others.
I know what you mean 🙂
If you are willing to get your hands dirty, then other people will be more willing to follow your example and get their hands dirty with you. Plans and lists are good, but also have a backup plan, like an extra pool of stand in volunteers, and/or that might be you doing your job, as well as filling in for a few others.
Indeed 🙂
Little ponderer you have here! 🙂
What comes to my mind, Don, is the difference between “I do” and “I am.” Seems to me that “Form = I do”, and “Substance = I am” .
I never see much “I do” in the bible – just a lot of “I am”.
What “I am” comes through the grace that love beought to me: Therefore out of love, “I do”.
Don, I had a church member tell me that we needed a church “constitution” so that everyone would know how stuff was supposed to work. Others said that I needed to preach this way, use that version, and visit these people. I thought unity came through the Holy Spirit, as He comes along side believers, that the Spirit of the Living God in me is the same Spirit in you, and other believers. Doesn’t unity come first, and then tasks? Aren’t we one in Christ, His body, and therefore His hands and feet to minister? Perhaps this is a horse and cart problem.
That’s a possibility