I have become all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.

I Corinthians 9:22

This is my box (a parable)

In it is contained the way that God works
(or at least the way He should work).
In this box, there are all the methods that must be used if God will work.

This box has it all.

It tells you how to preach.
How to do Sunday School.
How worship should be done (including styles, tempos, and songs).
How to raise your kids in a Biblical way.
How “real” Christians deal with everything from finances to
marriage to decision making.

Over the years I have collected all the necesary things to go in this box.

I put the same stuff in there that I saw modeled to me.
Some of it’s good.
Some of it’s junk.
But it’s in there nonetheless.

The box

Essentially — the box is my attitudes, thoughts and traditions in
regards to ministry.

How it should be done.

Don Weaver of the International School Of Theology once said
“the Message never changes, but methods always do”.

If you are a pastor — you have a definite way of doing things.
Most likely you are strongly influenced by the Tradition that you
grew up in or were saved in…

Baptist.
Pentecostal.
Calvary Chapel.
Bible Church.
Community Church.
Mega-church.

On the side of your box — It most likely has the name of that denomination or
church plastered on the side.
And underneath it says in bold letters:

“Fragile, handle with care”.

Why? Because we don’t want our traditions messed with.

I want God to work in the confines of my box.
If He ever works outside of the confines of my box — I’m always shocked.

Hey — I thought everything you needed to know was in the box.

I’m not talking about Biblical truth, doctrine and theology.
That must never be altered.

I’m talking about methodology.
The WAY that we do ministry.
The WAY that we approach God individually.

Every now and then we need to have our box kicked around a bit.
To see that God doesn’t fit in there quite as nicely as we thought.
And that God is infinite.

He will not be tamed by my methods.
He may choose to meet me in those methods.
But as long as Biblical truth isn’t altered —
He will meet the pastor down the way who
has a different style as well.

That’s a beautiful thing.
Let’s allow our boxes be kicked around and let God
work in the way He wants to work — in harmony
with His written Word.