When Crisis forces Flexibility and Creativity.

This morning the team at our church arrived to the school we rent for our Sunday gatherings to discover that it wasn't available for us. We confused dates for a cancellation by one week, officially we weren't allowed to be there.

This morning we had a musical guest leading most of the gathering.

After brainstorming and trying unsuccessful solutions, the school offered to let us use their gym - with no chairs, no use of shoes, a strict side entrance, and bathroom use only in the gym! (this would be ideal for afternoon prayer at the local mosque)

A normal Sunday gathering for us requires 1 large room + 4 small rooms for kids + open access to 1/2 the school + equipment.

With some opposition, we decided to go with the gym and make the best of it.

Here's what I learned from our forced situation:

1. sometimes a leader has to just decide and work with whoever commits
2. some people will have different opinions but will go with whatever is decided if we just decide
3. there will always be opposition in a decision - and that's ok - that's community
4. God is still present in less then ideal situations
5. most people go with the flow
6. you can spot the people who get bothered with change or expect environments to serve them rather than they serving the environment
- I was disappointed that some couldn't have a good time b/c they decided ahead of time that our set-up would not let them (due to kids, higher noise level, etc.)
- I was thrilled with many who had a great attitude and encouraged me that this was a great day!
7. surprise crisis's forces you to be flexible and creative - and discover what you really value
8. they also help you see what kind of community you really are - who pitches in, who complains, who celebrates, etc.
9. this morning helped me see that worship is from your heart not your environment
10. we would have missed out on lots of stuff if we would have canceled
- new guests searching for God and a church
- we celebrated a new fund in our church where people still contributed today
- people signed up for upcoming events where they will grow and connect with others
- lots more if I keep thinking
11. on a practical level I think the leader(s) need to communicate quickly and clearly to anyone who was going to be involved and how things are changing - I wonder if could have done that better for a few teams

To sum up my experience: I'm proud of our leaders, volunteers, and guests who for the most part fully engaged the environment and made the best of it. God was faithful and did lots in people's lives. I love my church.