Vehicular Homicide

Just about all of us have a vehicle. What in the world would we do without one or two of those things? Some can't seem to get by with less than three. If you want to go somewhere, the best way to get there is using some kind of vehicle.

People in different parts of the world use different types of vehicles. Whenever I watch a show filmed in the outback of Australia or the desserts of Africa, they always use a rugged Land Rover. In Cambodia, poverty and poplulation keeps everyone using mopeds. With the paved and level roads throughout our great nation, people use vehicles of all types. However, you would not see a construction crew carrying a load in a hatchback, or a soccer mom taxing kids in a semi.

In this time of high gas prices, people are rethinking what kinds of vehicles they drive. Manufacturers are rethinking vehicle design. A four-cylinder engine is, all of a sudden, a good thing again. Times change, and with the times, vehicles change.

Now let me spiritualize this...

I've already blogged about vision and core values. Visions is what you wish to accomplish, core values are the guide. If that's true, then ministry is then the vehicle used to get it done. Your vehicle (ministry) travels down the road (core values) to get to your destination (vision).

Just as different vehicles are used for different people and jobs, different ministries are used for different people and cultures. It all depends on what you are trying to do. Too many people like to use a cookie-cutter approach to ministry and say, "You have to do it this way." Why? "Because that's the way you do it." But there is absolutely no grounding for such a statement.

As a matter of fact, the New Testament is full of diverse ways to get the gospel message out. A look at the ministry of the Apostle Paul would make it clear. Jesus himself used various vehicles to get his message across. My point is that there is no cookie-cutter approach to ministry. The only way it really needs to be done is effectively. Whatever the best approach is for the people you are trying to reach.

Which vehicle you drive depends upon what kind of person you are and what your life circumstances are. I don't consider myself to be a mini-van person, but I have three small children...so I drive a mini-van. We need that third row back seat. I could drive an SUV, but gas prices keep me from even looking at them. Somebody might say, "I would never drive one of those." But they are single, no kids, still living at home. So they desire something smaller and sportier.

It's interesting to see automobile manufacturers market their vehicles. The Mustang is geared toward the young son, the Dodge Charger is geared to men just like me--those who drive minivans and feel the need to reclaim the muscle car we had in high school. Cadillacs are perfectly pitched for the more mature portion of our society. The concept is the same. You have a product you want to get to the people. You evaluate where they are and the best way to get it to them.

I've never met anyone who really desires to drive an old junk car--even if they have one. There is one car that is the car of their dreams. One they feel is better than all the rest. We should treat ministry the same way. You know, it seems we've put movie stars in limos, but Jesus in a Yugo. Quality matters. Style matters. Dependabililty matters. I want to know what's under the hood. Horsepower matters. The one thing about cars that attract us to them is the "cool factor." That matters in ministry also! It shows the world that we care enough about them to present something to them that is quality, relevant, and worth the investment.

A lot of what I've seen come out of churches is nothing short of vehicular homicide! The marquis signs are not relevant to passers-by. The services are centered around making the saints feel good. There's a lot of vroom, but no get-up-and-go. Lord help us to always drive something that will turn some heads your direction!