by Rev. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister
Take a moment and get comfortable.
Before you read any further, make sure that you have 15 minutes to proceed. Or proceed, and then come back again when you have more time.
Also, make sure that you have a piece of paper and a writing utensil. I prefer a pencil.
Now, again, get comfortable, take a moment, and breath.
Then, read on.
Imagine there are no limits,
no financial constraints,
plenty of volunteers and time,
and all the expertise you would need…
…what ministry would you have the church undertake?
Think wild. Think crazy. Think big impact. What could we possibly accomplish under those circumstances?
Take a moment now and write down your ministry idea, your crazy thought. In fact, don’t just write down one idea, write down three. Right now, find a piece of paper and write down three large-ambition ministry ideas that would change the world (or at least change the lives of those directly engaged by it). And, be sure to leave some space underneath or next to each idea. Remember, finances, volunteers, time, and expertise are all not an issue. List three new impactful ministries would you have us undertake?
Did you do that? Did you write down three crazy ideas?
Now, next to each of those three ideas write down who will be served by each of them. What community or group of people, will be impacted by each of your ministry ideas? Write that down next to each ministry.
After you’ve done that, think about the immediate impact this program will have on the lives of the group you identified. What will be the intermediate impact? And what will be the long-term impact. Will that ministry make a noticeable difference in the lives of the community or group you identified above? Write that down, too. Write down the immediate, mid-range, and long-term impacts of each ministry idea you have. Do that now.
Now, you have a choice. You can either continue working with all three ministry ideas you started with or pick the one that is speaking the most to you right now. Decide which path you are going to take: one idea…or all three?
Whether you have singled out one idea or are going to continue to work with all three, take a moment and brainstorm all the different skill sets that might be necessary to carry out that ministry. Remember, there are plenty of volunteers and experienced people in this dream. So, think about what types of people endowed with what essential skills are necessary for this ministry to be successful? Write those people/skills down. Whether it is one person with one skill or 20 people with 20 different skillsets, write them all down. Be as specific as possible.
I hope you left a lot of space at the beginning, because we have one more thing to write down. Think about what groups or organizations might be able to help with your crazy idea. These can be inside or outside the church. Are there other groups or organizations that someone could partner with, to carry out this ministry? Maybe providing some of the skills 
you listed above? Write these organizations down.
Finally, there is one last thing that is missing…you. Look back over all that you have written down. Where do you fit in? What large or small part might you be able to play in this ministry? Remember, time and resources aren’t an issue. You’ll have plenty. So where do you fit in this picture? Because you are essential to making it all work. That’s why God is working through you right now as you write all this down. Because you can help make this happen. So, write down what your role is in this hairbrained, whacky, awesome ministry idea that you have come up with. Write, “I can help by…” and complete the sentence.
Now, if you trust God enough to live on the edge, to make a difference in the world or in your life, take this piece of paper and send it to me. Email it to me. Snail-mail it to the office (461 County Rd. Barrington, RI 02806). Or bring to the church yourself and hand-deliver it to me. I’d love to see it. I’d love to see what God is saying to me, to us, through you. Would you do that? Can you do that?
Let’s see what God is saying!
Blessings be with you this day.
Dale