I am beginning to find out that tradition plays a huge part in why things happen they way the do around here. We are promoting the youth on Sept. 3 and starting up youth meetings Sept 10. (First, I don't know why they stop during the summer, but they do - probably won't be like this next summer) They don't start until Sept. 10, because back when school didn't start until then there was no reason to start meetings before school. But now, school starts sooner. Why not change the start date to coincide with the start of school?
The kids have already been in school for a week now and they don't get promoted to the next grade for two more weeks. How frustrating this must be.
I asked in a meeting this week about why we have "age appropriate" adult classes (not that they are bad) and was told that this is how it has always been done. Is everyone too afraid to change things? Is there a reason to change it? Does anyone even think about that possibility?
Am I trying to cause a problem where there is none? Or am I hopefully being that voice that makes people think about why we do what we do? I pray it is #2. I want to be the person who says, "Hey, let's step back and look at what is working and what is not working. Let's see how we can make this ministry the best it can be today (not the best it was 25 years ago)"
Is this a problem that comes up whenever you start a new ministry? Or is it more about the location of my ministry?
Friday, August 25, 2006
tradition
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I think this problem is a problem whenever you start a new ministry. There are people who are extremely territorial about "their" ministry (or adult class) and about the way things have always been done. It makes them feel comfortable because they know what to expect and they feel a sense of accomplishment in keeping things as they know them.
ReplyDeleteHow can I tell if my desire for change is truly needed or just my desire? I know some of the things that I think need to be changed are things that others feel need changed, too. Its just that no one has done it. I don't want to sit and do nothing, but am I truly the right person to do it?
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