Boots on the Ground

We hear a lot of talk about “boots on the ground” in the news these days. It has to do with basic warfare strategy. War today is fought much differently than it was even 50 years ago. Iraq was not anything like Vietnam, and Vietnam was not anything like WWII. Today we have precision missiles and surgical air strikes, even drone fighters. But what does that have to do with God and the church?

Its true that when we talk and think about the mercy and the love of God, militaristic images seem a little out of place. And yet, they are common images in Scripture; fighting the good fight (1 Tim 6:12), putting on the armor of God (Eph 6:11), and wrestling against the powers of darkness (Eph 6:12). In military terms, putting “boots on the ground” is a colorful way of saying that after all the preemptive strikes, after the strategic bombing, somebody still has to go in and clean up the mess. You still have to have people who are willing to go into a war-torn area and rout out the lingering enemy troops.

Here in Sand Springs, we have just had a season of joy and celebration; there have been receptions, special worship services, and visitors as we establish a new relationship between pastor and congregation. But now is when the real work begins. Now is when we have to begin our strategic planning that we have put off “until the new pastor arrives.” That time is here, and there have already been people asking about some of the projects and programs that are near and dear to their hearts.

Let me assure you that we are already beginning to do some of that planning in order to move forward as a congregation. What are we doing? Well, let me just mention a few things, and please bear in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, nor is it in order of priority, but it should help folks know what is “in process.”

First, the session and the appropriate committees have been discussing hiring a new Children’s Ministry Director. This is a position we have had in the past, and we would very much like to see it developed for our future. It may not look quite like it did before, we may tweak the job description to fit our new reality, but it is high on our priority list.

Second, we are beginning a Newcomers class to provide a way for visitors to join the church. We have not had one in a few years, and we actually have folks looking forward to being a part of that.

Third, as I mentioned in worship last week, I will begin a series of sermons on selections from the Book of Revelation. I often get questions about and requests for help in understanding this unique book, and I thought a sermon series would be a helpful way for us to begin to do that.

You may have noticed that all these approaches, all these tasks, are designed to help us grow in our faith. Jesus sent us into the world to make disciples (Matt. 28:19), that is our primary task as the church. We are to gain new ground, to embrace new people, and bring them into God’s Kingdom. That image may be a bit militaristic, but I think it is apropos.