There are planners and there are those who fly by the seat of their pants. It reminds me of the scene early in the movie “Pretty Woman”. Edward, played by Richard Gere and Vivian, played by Julia Roberts, are getting to know each other. Edward plans everything, while Vivian says, “I’m more of a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants’ kind of girl.”  (I don’t know what that looks like). When it comes to making decisions at church, I think a healthy blend is important. There are some matters that require careful planning, usually based on cost, unfortunately. Most small things can be done spontaneously. For instance, deciding whether to vest up on Sunday. During the long, hot summer, I may make a right-before-service decision that I will not vest up. That usually makes the Assisting Minister and Cross Bearer happy! I don’t think it detracts from the reverence of worship. In our personal lives, we have to assess which direction to go. Is there such a thing as planning to be spontaneous? I think it is more of an openness. There were certainly times in Jesus’ ministry when his plans called for a detour or interruption. Ministry often happens in the interruptions. Maybe that is why I am purposefully lax when I schedule my calendar. I don’t arrive or leave at the same exact time every day. I don’t pack my every minute with tasks, so that I don’t get flustered when plans get thwarted.

The following illustration is fictional, even though it could apply to our context. A couple was talking about how they would celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary. Because of Covid, and the fact that they both had been dealing with cancer, they concluded that they would be unable to really plan it out. As the day approached, their children said, “why don’t we do something this coming Saturday?” The parents initially were quite skeptical. Spontaneity in this situation might be construed as careless afterthought by their friends. They grudgingly accepted the idea. The kids pulled it off, and the parents were surprised and delighted.

Some of our best ministry moments come when we are open to the Holy Spirit’s movement. It is the delightful whimsy of the Trinity. Sometimes a congregation can get too hung up on methodical, sterile organization that limits creativity. We do not know what tomorrow will bring. If we get too obsessed over ten-year plans, we might lose sight of the here and now. I think the book of Ecclesiastes comes in handy – “a time for every purpose under heaven”. With a constant posture of prayer, we will be more equipped to know when we should be meticulous, thorough, well thought out or spur of the moment. We will never get it right 100% of the time. God’s unconditional, eternal love will always be there for us.

Pastor Art