I am not a fan of uniform types of church – one style and size must fit all. I mean by that a uniformed format of how the ‘service’ should take place, and all the ingredients done in the same order. It just does not make sense to me.
I found it interesting reading about the David and Goliath episode. The part where the young buck David goes in front of Saul and displays what must be the inspiration for Scrappy-Doo spirit. Saul, in his wisdom, suggests that the best way to go about it is to suit up in a style that is in fitting with mortal combat.
When David bulks himself up with all that armour, it evidently doesn’t fit him. He lets the king know with due respect that if he’s going to get the job done, he’s got to get it done on his terms and conditions. It’s got to be his style, his way.
Recently I had the pleasure of being part of a meeting where two people were given an opportunity to give a talk to us. These two were not known for giving talks before, so it was a new challenge for them.
Both speakers evidently were given instructions on ‘how to do talks’. They had written out the structure and content of their talk – in a manner fitting in with textbook requirements. They put in what they felt were the important element of giving a talk. Yet they really truly engaged with the audience when they went off-script, when they were genuinely feeling the spirit of what they were saying and were just flowing conveying their character. In this they brought across the essence of the message.
It certainly came across that while they were looknig to adjust to fit in with a conventional form, it was not what suited them. I can imagine as they give talks more often, they will continue to find their own style and learn to give talks more with fitting who they are, rather than conforming to some conventional format.
What is also interesting about the David and Goliath story, however, is noting how David used his own approach to fell the giant, but to really stamp his own mark on the occasion, he chopped off the giant’s head with his own sword. From that point on, David the shepherd became David the warrior.
That is to suggest that what suits you at first, is not necessarily what will stay with you always. We grow we change and as we do so we develop methods and means that fit us both on an individual and a communal scale. Just because something worked for me five years ago, it’s not to say it will suit me now. Just because a style of writing fits folks in one area, it’s not a guarantee that it will work in another area. This is the beauty of diversity and change. This is the reason why our own relationship with God through His Holy Spirit should be the steer and guide to how we function.
I certainly don’t deride or dismiss textbooks and teachers. Forms that work for others and are recorded and documented are certainly useful aids. It is to say that what is an aid to one, can be a crutch to someone else and can be a hinderance to someone else.
In Christ we can discover what is fitting with who we are, and how that can help us be a blessing to others.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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