By Rev. Pete Hyde
Two ships lay rigged and ready in the harbor. The passengers were beginning to gather. They came from all walks of life, young, old, and in between; rich, poor, and in between. There was no confusion about which ship they would board. As they approached the ramps to the ships, they split up into two groups without any guidance. They were confident about which cruise they had booked.
One group was dressed in shorts, Hawaiian shirts, designer sneakers, sunglasses, hats and so much baggage that porters had to follow them in lines that looked like a mountain trek in the Himalayas. They exchanged pleasantries and smiles as everyone was caught up in the excitement and expectation. As they boarded the sleek, shiny, beautiful white vessel, they were greeted by smartly dressed hosts at the top of the ramp and quickly whisked off to their accommodations.
After some time to unpack, they made their way to the dining room where food would be available 24 hours a day. In fact, they wouldn’t even have to go to the dining room because whatever they needed would be brought to their room or on the deck. They would be fed abundantly, waited on hand and foot, whatever they thought they needed would be taken care of by the friendly staff, with no expectation of lifting a finger for any purpose except getting all they could out of the experience. If their needs weren’t met, they would demand that something be done, for they were important and this cruise was all about them – if they didn’t say so themselves. (And they did say so themselves.) It would all be over in a short time, and they would return home with no lasting impact except for a few memories and a hundred new photos on their phones.
The other group was all dressed alike in clothes given to them from a warehouse. Each looked exactly the same except for the weight, height, color and gender. They carried all they had for the cruise in their backpacks and duffel bags – no porters to help. There were not many smiles or idle conversation, only focused expressions mirroring their determination to get underway.
As they boarded the drab, gray ship, orders were barked with dorm assignments and meal schedules. They would eat what was served, when it was served, no questions asked. They would do all the duties required with little time to lie out on the deck to relax and be waited on. You see, they had a job to do. They were on a mission. They came to serve. The cruise would last more than six months and would have an everlasting impact on each passenger, their families and everyone with whom they came into contact. They would make a difference.
I believe churches today can generally be divided into two groups – cruise ships and battleships. Some exist for the benefit of themselves. Their mission is ensuring their own needs are met. When they are not, explanations are demanded even though no effort is made to be involved in any way. The ship (building) is pretty and “it better stay that way.” The staff jumps at every command – “They better because we pay them.” The mission is to impress the community and themselves without having to lift a finger. These are cruise ship churches.
The others are battleship churches. The mission is to impact the community instead of impressing it. A majority are involved and dedicated to the mission and work for the good of the church rather than their own perceived wants and needs. The building is adequate for their needs and the future. The staff and leaders are supported in prayer and service as everyone pitches in to carry out the mission.
What kind of church do you attend – a cruise ship or a battleship or one that is a good balance between the two? Which do you prefer? Do you wish your church was more of a cruise ship or a battleship? What are you doing to make your church one way or the other? Simple questions? Not if you are really honest with yourself and your church.
Ships will be boarding next Sunday. Which one will you be on?
Rev. Pete Hyde serves as chaplain with the South Walton Fire District
