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March 6, 2012

RISK TAKING

Shannon Kiser

I've noticed an interesting phenomenon.  There seems to be an increase in opportunities for more and more people to try extreme sports.  More people than ever seem to be willing to risk life and limb to skydive, base jump, paraglide, compete in extreme races like the Ironman.  At the same time, institutions are becoming more and more risk averse.  No Red Rover in gym class or swings on the playground at my children's elementary school---those activities aer too risky.

Perhaps this is why the institution of the Church finds it challenging to get momentum in church planting--new church development is inherently risky.  It's not easy...it takes energy, focus, and passion...these is financial sacrifice on the line...it may fail...but then again it may just take off.  There's no safe way to launch a new faith community without risk.

But we follow a Jesus who taught us that if we lose our lives we might just find life.  That doesn't sound safe to me.  Following Jesus calls for us to have the courage to take risks, to trust God's promise to be with us and never forsake us, and to take leaps of faith for the safe of the gospel.

How can we build capacity for the institutional Church to take purposeful risks instead of holding back for safety's sake?

And how do we support those passionate---slightly crazy---people who want to risk everything for the sake of the gospel, who want to risk "life and limb" to plant new faith communities and to reach new people with the hope of the gospel?

Shannon Kiser, Director, Training Center for Innovative Church Leadership

Tags: church development, gospel, new church, risks