It is interesting how time flies as you procrastinate getting ready for classes to start. I got back from Chaplain School last Sunday night and then things got busy. I helped facilitate a service project for a group of incoming first year students at seminary (it ends up being about 20% of the incoming class). We show them around Durham and introduce them to the major issues in the city as seen from civic leaders and faith based organizations. They also learn from each other about how the problems in Durham are not only seen in Durham but from the cities they arrive here from. They also get the opportunity to meet a large portion of the class and get semi-settled in during that time.
As for me, I was there the entire time leading the incoming class through this process and got so hooked on the Olympics that I have done nothing at night to get ready for classes. I just couldn't pull myself away from watching the swimming. It is amazing how those athletes in all sports dedicate so much of their lives for just one short moment, sometimes lasting only a few seconds. Just think what would happen if the church would put for the same effort into something even greater than winning a gold medal. If each congregation would dedicate a major portion of their time and treasure on one issue in the community at all times, what would our world look like? What if a congregation of 1000 decided to end homelessness in their community (10$ per member each month from that size church would build two habitat homes each year)? These are questions that we are forced to ask in this week long service project each year. The real rub is how to convince a congregation to go out and do it.
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