I believe that Calvary will be able to more effectively impact Oak Park and the world if we can all pitch in to ameliorate the 80/20 rule. That is, the general rule that 80% of the work in a typical church is done by 20% of the members (some ministry experts suggest that the real number is often closer to 90/10).

Right now, I am thinking in particular of certain individuals who have given a lot of time and energy to support the body of Christ at Calvary. I dare say that some of our most hard working and generous volunteers are running on fumes, but would be re-energized if they saw the 80% rise up to strengthen them and share the load.

I have long felt that there needs to be much better communication and even direct challenge to the church as a whole, in regards to the volunteer needs and to the 80-90% who might be able to offer unto the Lord and to the body of Christ even 5 or 10 hours of time per week. For many of us, it is easier to tithe money than time in the day and age we live in. Yet imagine what it would do for the health of our church if we had everyone pulling on the same rope, working together for the sake of the gospel.

I think we would be astonished at how this would impact Calvary and Oak Park.

I think both are equally important. In 1 & 2 Corinthians, Paul spends a lot of time exhorting that congregation to embody the gospel fully… it is clear that this is crucial to “building their charge” so to speak. In 2 Cor 8, though, he focuses on a unique feature of this church: their giving and generosity (OK, not unique… but it sounds like the depth of their giving was uncommon).

Each local church body is, I think, uniquely equipped with certain talents, treasures, and affinities that allow them to minister in a way that is distinct to them. It’s one reason why so many solid churches can co-exist in the same region: not every church has to complete 100% of God’s work in that area!

Groups of people get “charged up” when they can rally around a particular vision. This vision HAS to originate from God, has to be empowered by God, and will ultimately be executed by God working through his people.

So, I would encourage the prayer to be directed towards asking God to reveal the areas where Calvary needs to be built up (or reinforced) in our universal gospel foundation, and to show us his vision for how Calvary is uniquely positioned and equipped to serve him in Oak Park and the surrounding communities.

Once that vision is established, then it is a matter of reinforcing that through preaching, church-wide activities, workshops, budgetary allocations, to keep the congregation’s focus on Calvary’s vision.

Just a thought… I think a lot of that is informed by business thought and personal experience rather than rigorous biblical reference, so feel free to correct any errors in there.

The Leyden Jar requires an outside force acting upon it before it becomes an instrument for any good purpose. It is just a tool.

I believe my chances of being like a Leyden Jar are directly and inversely proportional to my willingness to admit what I really am, repent of my desire to produce and control outcomes, and abandon any notion that I have any power to transform anything in my own strength.

One of my favorite songs was written by Gordon Kennedy and it has a chorus that goes:

If there’s any love, any evidence of
If there’s any, any good inside myself
It’s coming from somewhere else

If there is ever going to be any “divine electricity” flowing out of me or our life together into the culture around us, it is going to have to come supernaturally from somewhere else.

I pray for the Spirit to blow a fresh wind in me and among us that we may experience “dunamis” power, and allow Him to work through us: His way, His agenda, His vision, His power, His strength, His glory.