Just in case you are wondering, you can buy a 15-acre island in the Florida Keys for $29 million. It comes with a 3,100-square-foot home, a swimming pool, a sandy beach, and all the beautiful blue water you could hope for. What a way to live!
I must admit, I am a bit jealous of high-net-worth individuals who can make such a purchase. What could be better than insulating yourself from all the problems of the world? Sitting on a stack of money. No noise. No hassles. No traffic jams. No one to bother you, period. Who wouldn’t want that?
We are all tempted to long for a life of self-sufficiency, of independence from the dangers and cries of the world. In fact, it is a good spiritual discipline to retreat to a physical or spiritual island once in a while. However, the purpose of a retreat is not to live there permanently, but to grow and strengthen ourselves for a return to this challenging world.
Sometimes our churches are prone to the same temptation. We want our church to be an island, impenetrable to the anxieties and humdrum of the rest of society. We long to be insulated from the troubles around us. We believe that big bank accounts and well-maintained buildings will protect us. When threatened, we pull in our horns. We cut expenses. We do anything to stay on the island. Survival becomes the mission. Making sure we are secure becomes the focus.
Remember our Lord’s words from Luke’s Gospel: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” Churches, don’t forget your mission. Don’t forget that there are worse things than using yourselves up in the quest to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. It is through losing that we find saving. It is through suffering and death that we find resurrection.
The point is this—be in ministry, not in retreat. Invest in the gospel, not in the island. Trust God. All will be well.
Just like an old-time doctor, we make house calls! Let us know if you want more ideas for stewardship and giving, whether pastor or lay person.
Contact us at your Heartland Methodist Foundation here or call us toll free at 877-391-8811.
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Glenn Howell
Director of Development
Heartland Methodist Foundation