Do you like me? If so, check this box. (Pt.2)
- Posted on December 06, 2005
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Do You Like Me? - Take 2: The Candidate
Stage 1: Identifying the need.
Charlie began his first year as an eighth grade public school student with enthusiasm. Having been home schooled for several years, he wondered what it might be like to launch into an unfamiliar environment alongside people whom he?d never met before. Yet while it would have been easy for him to slip through the cracks, his good looks and charismatic personality brought him to the top of the social circles. When the first school dance was announced, every student started to feel the pressure to attend. Charlie realized he would have to come up with a plan to find his first official date.
Charlie began his first year as a professional minister with enthusiasm. Having been in college and seminary for several years, he wondered what it might be like to launch into an unfamiliar environment alongside people whom he?d never met before. Yet while it would have been easy for him to slip through the cracks, his good-looking resume and charismatic personality brought him to the top of the pile among churches. When the school year ended, every graduating student started to feel the pressure to find a job by the fall. Charlie realized he would have to come up with a plan to find his first official pastorate.
Stage 2: Writing the pitch.
As Charlie sat down to prepare his list of ?dream girls,? he knew that his past was in his favor. Having had experience talking with girls in his home school co-op made him less intimidated by the whole process than his peers, not to mention the fact that his older brother was known to be a ?cool high schooler.? Taking advantage of this, he planned to send out a vibe to a dozen or so girls that he assumed would go out with him if they were available. He also sent an e-mail to the friends whom he had met over the past month, asking them (with a somewhat cocky spirit) to put the word out that he was ?available.? Before going to bed, he perfected the opening line he planned on using in his conversations with prospective girls: ?Are you interested in knowing you?ve chosen a date for the dance who is going to spoil you like crazy??
As Charlie sat down to prepare his list of ?dream churches,? he knew that his past was in his favor. Having internship experience with mega-churches made him less intimidated by the whole process than his peers, not to mention the fact that his home church was known to be an innovative trendsetter. Taking advantage of this, he planned to send out a resume to a dozen places that he assumed would hire him if any openings were available. He also sent an e-mail to several pastors whom he had met over the years, asking them (with a somewhat cocky spirit) to put the word out that he was ?available.? Before going to bed, he perfected the opening line he planned on using in his cover letter with prospective churches: ?Are you interested in knowing you?ve chosen a pastor for your church who is going to spoil you like crazy??
Stage 3: Contacting the top choices.
Although Charlie expected to hear back from his dream girls within the first few moments of his pitch, the girls only responded with giggles and his social calendar remained empty. Thankfully, though, several students he hung out with let him know of many other opportunities he could pursue in his own homeroom. With a humble taste of embarrassment, he started calling around to connect with these ?plan B? girls and began the process of getting to know their unique stories. By the beginning of the following week, he had narrowed his search down to two girls ? Fiona and Allison. Rather than letting them know he was considering the other, though, he chose to instead pursue them both until he could find out who would offer the better package socially and physically.
Although Charlie expected to hear back from his dream churches within the first month of his pitch, the phone didn?t ring and his mailbox remained empty. Thankfully, though, several people he networked with let him know of many other opportunities he could pursue in his own hometown. With a humble taste of embarrassment, he started calling around to connect with these ?plan B? churches and began the process of getting to know their unique stories. By the beginning of August, he had narrowed his search down to two congregations ? First Fellowship and Anytown Community Church. Rather than letting them know he was considering the other, though, he chose to instead pursue them both until he could find out who would offer the better package professionally and financially.
Stage 4: Courting and connecting.
With just two weeks away from the dance, Charlie had set up back-to-back dates with both girls ov
This is part 2 in a 3 part series by guest writer Tony Myles. Yesterday we began looking at the ways a typical church search process can resemble the ways adolescents express interest in each other. Today we’ll flip the tables on the paradigm to further examine this case study…
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Tiko Tut on Tue, December 06, 2005
NO
Tony Myles on Tue, December 06, 2005
No?
bishopdave on Tue, December 06, 2005
Tony you’re nailing the feeling. That sense of panic when we realize we shouldn’t feel so smug and secure, that some matchups are just beyond our technique and methodology—don’t you just hate not to be able to control the situation? (That was not a theological statement, so don’t jump up all ye “you should let God control the situation anyway” kneejerkers).
RevJay on Tue, December 06, 2005
I Love to Tell the Story… Yet it has been told by someone who has much better literary skills than I. Been there, seen it, bought the T shirt. RevJay
Christian Outlaw on Wed, December 07, 2005
Wait upon the Lord. Who cares what they think, say, or how they say it. If they have told you that your not the right canidate for the job but went with someone else because of politics or some other reason. They lied to God as well as you. Let Him deal with them. The way I see it, it’s your loss pal. If you like me that is fine, it you don’t that is fine to. Those who like me well has good things to say, those who don’t like me it’s for them I pray.”
Tony Myles on Wed, December 07, 2005
Isn’t it amazing, though, how much we can spiritualize a human decision?
Perhaps part of the problem is that the church is a combination of God and people. While God longs for things to be right He relies on people to do it.
This blows me away.
I picture Jesus ready to leave the earth as He’s looking at His disciples. He knows they’re going to mess it up, and yet He hands everything over to them. In a sense, He’s silently communicating, “You’ll mess this up, but I have faith in you.”
And I wonder… if God can believe in the church (knowing how much we will mess it up) then maybe we can, too.
Even when it messes up.
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