New Ministry

For the past couple of weeks, an idea for a new ministry in my hometown was brought to my mind. I say "brought" because it actually was given to me. God "Brought It". I "Got Served" by God. God is "All that and a bag of chips (or is it slice of manna?)". Ok, I'll stop now. I truly believe that with enough support from others in my hometown that this idea would be a tremendous success. Persons who I believe could be instrumental in assisting me with this ministry idea have been e-mailed. Weeks ago. Still no answer.

Now I believe that this concept being brought to small town has some risks. Residents of Madison hardly like to try a new brand of coffee, let alone participate in something new. And ESPECIALLY not something that's blatantly spiritual. But this is sickening. I have the feeling that I'm going to have to turn into the annoying lady on the phone who calls 5 times a day just to see if anyone "Got my message". Either that or submit my idea in person.

I had a vision last night that I was presenting this ministry idea to my church. Half of the congregants were for it. Unfortunately that was the half who were silent. Those completely opposed to the idea had every thought brought out into the open, every fear imagined, every risk created, every excuse aired for why this MAY not be successful. I pleaded my case and came off as sounding very "holier than thou" (Which in a church is not appropriate. There is only ONE and He is "holier than all".) and condescending. I truly do not want that to happen. I want people to embrace this ministry idea. I want this to start - SOON! I want all churches in my hometown to come together and not label this idea as a "Lutheran", "Catholic" or "Baptist" idea. And I certainly don't want my own demonination to come into play as well.

Last night I read a chapter of the great book by John Ortberg, "If You Want to Walk On Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat" (thanks, Sue). If you can read the first chapter alone and not be inspired in some way, then I don't know what to even say to you. It gave me great confidence and wonderful ideas to consider while I'm in the midst of trying to create something new for a community who (I believe) desperately needs it.

Really, I don't want to turn into Christian Van Daame and come off as forceful in this situation. But what do I have to do to get a response back from someone?