How Are Things Going?

This is a question that most of us use many times each day during informal interaction with others. It may vary to some degree, such as us saying, "How's life?" but this is a common question we ask and get asked ourselves. Typically, our replies are honestly very shallow. We say things like "Good." or "Doing great." However, if we're being truthful, we quite often answer this question with a lie. We say things are good when they are bad. We give the impression we're loving life when we're actually drowning in misery wondering if things will ever turn around.

I thought I'd challenge all of us to honestly wrestle with this question... How are things going?... Are they going well? Do you feel like life is falling apart?

I believe it's essential for us to pause regularly, reflect on the circumstances of life, and make some adjustments. As you've probably heard it said before, insanity is doing the same thing over and over but hoping for a different result. Too many of us are driving ourselves insane because we aren't reflecting and adjusting on a regular basis.

Here a few reflections I've been making over the last couple of days in regards to our church...

For the past two months, we've been casting a fresh outlook on our vision and making some significant changes to how we think and act. Our Sunday morning gatherings have a completely different feel, but this is only the first step in a foundational-shift that we are trying to make. So how are things going?

Attendance was higher in June than it was in May, but attendance isn't really the key measuring point for us.

Here's what I'm celebrating... Connections! Throughout the month of June, we've seen people connect unlike at any other point in the life of our church. People are sharing burdens and getting to know each other. We've made this a major priority via our Overflow Connections, which are now a regular/weekly part of our Sunday gatherings. People are responding to each other's needs immediately. They aren't waiting on a pastor to give them permission. They are listening to the Holy Spirit and responding as they see a need.

At the same time, preparations are being made to increase our number of Overflow Connections as the fall approaches so we can better care for the people God connects to us!

Additionally, our understanding of success has radically changed. For example... we've been consistent in doing community events as a church, but our previous idea of success was a large crowd. We'd often celebrate the hundreds who would attend an event we organized. However, we've had to come to understand that large crowds doesn't equal success. For us, the only thing that ultimately matters at community events are connections. Did the people connected to The Overflow connect with people they didn't know? Did people from The Overflow learn the names of new people? If we don't connect with the community beyond giving them free food, fun, and thanking them for coming, we're missing the point!

When I reflect on the bigger picture, the entire makeup of our church has dramatically changed. Over the past 6 months, we've went from a mostly young (under 30) crowd to a very diverse crowd with ages, backgrounds, church experiences, etc all varying dramatically. I love the diversity that God's bringing together!

Looking ahead, we must begin to see people change how they view and live as disciples Monday-Saturday. We also must begin to take steps toward launching new Overflow Communities and then see this actually happen.

So what about you? Stop today and do some reflecting! Let God examine and reveal what's really going on.

-Husbands, ask your wife what you can do to ease her burdens.
-Wives, ask your husbands how you can support and encourage them more.
-Parents, ask your kids what they'd like to do for fun with you.