Stop controlling and start releasing!

One of the comments I get frequently as a church leader is, “How do you come up with these amazing ideas?”  All of the places I have had the privilege to serve have done amazing things with amazing ministries.  But I have a huge secret – none of them were my ideas!  Yes, it’s true.  I can’t take credit.  But when someone approached me, as the person in a position of decision and authority, I responded with “Why not?” rather than “why should we?”

One such occasion involved this charismatic kid named Rex.  Rex approached me with an idea he thought I would shoot down in a moment.  You see, Rex had a burning passion for 3 things:  Jesus, people, and art.  Rex felt he wasn’t being used for what he was created for and attending another bible study wasn’t going to fill what was stirring inside of him.  Okay – so this was the moment of true shepherding for me, do I talk to Rex merely looking at the vision and mission and budget of the organization and see if his passion “fits”?  Or do I look at God stirring in his life?  My response to Rex was, “How can I help and support what God is asking in your life?” 

Serving God isn’t about “my ministry”, it’s about fostering and facilitating God working in the lives of those He puts under my care – it’s “their ministry”.  So when they ask to run, will I let them?  Will you let them?  Will they ever be ready enough?

I had no idea what Rex’s Art Ministry would look like in the long run – and I don’t think Rex did either (at least not yet).  But that stirring ended up as one of the most impactful city-wide ministries I got to be a part of (or more adequately get to watch happen).

I arranged for advertising for Rex’s group, finances for some minimal supplies, and some “mature” facilitators to be available for credibility and support.  The graffiti art ministry (GAM) was underway and took off like wildfire.  After some training with an art teacher and dreaming big they had their first event.  They had talked to a local business owner that had a terrible graffiti problem.  The owner agreed to have the team paint his building.  Apparently there is a rule with gangs:  “you don’t mess with art”.  Buildings that had art/murals were off-limits.  They could no longer be “tagged” with graffiti for gang communication.

GAM designed the wall for the building, received owner approval (who also paid for the supplies), scheduled the day and painted.  It was a landmark event.  Many people drove by to ask what was happening and the group shared about Jesus in their life and using art to make a difference to the many on-lookers.  People were curious, interested, moved, and changed – just because of the art and the lives of those painting. 

A couple of interesting things happened that first day.  A cop, who is a trained psychologist, whose job it is to read any and all graffiti to get a feel for gang activity, drove by.  He pulled over his squad car quite aggressively and hurried to the area yelling “hey!”, and then stopped in his tracks.  He saw the art, he saw what they were doing, and was blown away.  He was so moved by the heart and art he asked GAM to paint more.  The city police PAID for the paint and supplies for this group.  They even assisted in locating other businesses that were pleased to have their graffiti problem resolved with beautiful murals. 

The other interesting thing that happened occurred 2 days later.  The building directly across the street from the first mural was tagged by a gang.  They “answered” the wall of art directly.  They “rejected” all of the things about Jesus in the art.  They wrote words to curse God, to “blank” Jesus, etc.  They saw the art as a message and responded immediately.  But they never painted over the mural.

In the next year, Rex had gangbangers, crack heads, and also main stream folks join his team.  They all had a passion for art, had been involved in graffiti tagging, or been involved in that “scene”.  His art, his love for people, and his passion for Jesus changed lives.  But the art opened the door. 

So many people give me credit for the heart and work of this amazing team.  I cannot take credit for all God did through this team and Rex.  I only said “yes”.  I could’ve just as easily said “no, it doesn’t really ‘fit’.  I don’t have the time or resources or interest . . . .yadda, yadda, yadda”  (you know all the excuses).

I have to admit, I’ve said yes to many group ideas that failed; groups that someone was starting out of ego, or self-interest, or just because they liked it – but it just didn’t happen.  But time and again, when I (as the person at the church who has the ability to release or control) said yes, I have seen people fulfill their purpose and become who God created them to be. 

Most people desire to be validated and supported to use their gifts and talents for greater things, and to love Jesus and others doing it. 

Will you support them or squelch them?

Rex is still an amazing artist doing huge things.   He’s not just an amazing artist – he’s an amazing human being.  He’s found how to live his dream and purpose and be used by God to reach those only reached by his unique gifts and talents.  This was not a group I ever thought about reaching, it’s not in my gifting, but it was in Rex.  I only said yes.  You can see some of Rex’s art and learn more about him here:  http://texascannonsofproportion.com/rex-hausmann/.   

How big can you dream?

Are you controlling people or releasing them?

Here are some of the other amazing and crazy ministries that have been a part of the places we have been that have changed lives:

5K (running group)

Scrapbooking

Dog Training

3 on 3 Basketball Pick-up

Hip Hop skills training

Lyrical Dance Group

Solutions Team

Learn Guitar Group

Exhausted Mom’s group

DDR/Guitar Hero/Gaming

UFC Fan Club

Crossing Guards for Christ (CGC)

Fix-er-up Group

Gear Head Group

Book lovers group

Men that love to fish group              

These are some of the most impactful.  But honestly there are too many for me to list.  I wish I could tell you the life-change stories from each of these groups!  But it would take forever.  Many of the stories are on-going even today!

How many people and personalities do you know?  God is working and wants to use their lives to make a difference.  Will you release them?  Will you support them?

I also want to apologize to those of you that are “super spiritual”.  Sorry, most of these didn’t have a designated “bible study time”.  They were busy teaching, training, caring, sharing, – living out Acts 2.  Because they were trying to change the world doing what they loved, they drove themselves to the bible devouring answers.    They didn’t have to be told, “you must have bible study”.  No, they sought answers from God to be able to do what they were passionate about doing and how to do it in this day and age with the people that showed up.  Truly inspiring and contagious. 

Rex was profoundly changed as God used him in huge and unexpected ways.  Those around him were impacted, his family was impacted, I was impacted.  All of us grew, loved, learned deeper about God and each other.  We all won.  We could’ve all missed out had I said, “no” just because it was outside the norm, or “inconvenient”.

What do you love to do?  What are the things that no one has to ask you to do – the things you are excited about and would run to go do?  Does God want to use that gift, passion, or talent to make a difference?  How can you use what you love to do to share Jesus to those around you?

How big can you dream?  How big are you letting those around you dream?  Are you limiting them?  If so, why?  What is keeping you from saying, “Yes!”  “Why not?”  Don’t miss what God might do because you can’t compartmentalize it into your control.

I want to hear your stories!  What do you love to do?  How is God using it?  I’m your biggest cheerleader!  Be free!  Use what God has given you!  I can’t wait to hear all about it!

(I need to dig through an old box to find photos of the GAM team hard at work.  I’ll post as soon as I find them.)

Tags: church leader, evangelism, gangs, graffiti, Jenny Billman, leadership, ministry, preisthood of the believer, small groups, spiritual gifts, talents