How can we make this harder?

“Wait a minute … How can we make this harder?”

Sometimes I think that is the goal that compels agencies, bureaucracies and committees regardless of where they are and who they serve.

Do you know how many new bills were presented to Congress in 2009? I bet it’s a lot.

“How can we make this harder?” It’s not a spoken goal or a mission statement printed on the wall. It’s just something that happens. Committees that have nothing to do are going to think of things to do. They exist to do things.

“Don’t just do something, stand there!” I remember seeing this on a cartoon poking fun at inaction. It makes sense for a lot of church committees that meet monthly trying to think of things to do. Because so few committees focus outwardly, we gather around tables and work to come up with new policies for ourselves.

We talk about postage stamps and copiers, design new signs telling people where they can and cannot drink coffee or eat muffins and we evaluate coloring pages to go into our bulletins. We design new pieces of paper that are meant to help us track other pieces of paper. At the end of our meetings we set the time for our next meeting, close in prayer and head home with a feeling of accomplishment.

I propose adding one question to the end of every meeting. “Does this make ministry easier?”

I bet that single question would have a significant impact on our decisions and policies. And I bet it would change how we do church.