Less Predictability Means Less Security

Last updated on: October 15, 2007 at 2:36 pm by David Hayward

Less Predictability Means Less Security 2007-10-15T14:36:06-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

After our community suffered from a terrible church-split 10 years ago, I had to learn quickly that it was going to be important for me and the church to be flexible. Before the split we had nearly 400 members with a very lively schedule and robust budget. After the split, for the next two years, we watched our attendance fall to below half and our budget get cut to about a quarter of what it was. Many who left were strong financial supporters. When I had become the pastor the church, I looked forward to the church experiencing a steadily increasing attendance, income and reputation. I counted on a healthy and dependable salary for as long as I stayed there. The split shook that to pieces. To pieces.

Within weeks I realized I had to let predictability and the security that comes with it go. Like my young daughter says, “Let it go like a balloon!” I did let it go, but only after it popped. Since then, my salary has gone up and down. No, not up except once. Usually down. Sometimes I don’t get paid right away. Our offerings are sporadic. I’ve been on full time and part time and no time. The managers of the church know that I will allow my salary to be cut and even eliminated before the church goes under. I’m prepared to pastor the community without an income. I’ll have to receive my income from my art and maybe some construction work. (I prefer art, Lord, if you don’t mind.)

The unpredictability is reflected in the way we do church too. I never know what’s going to happen during our worship time or even during the teaching time. Last week I had a lesson all prepared when something else came up: there’s lots of tragedy happening right now with many people in our community and we thought it would be more appropriate to address that stuff. Yesterday, I taught a little, but a discussion got started that kept us occupied for the remainder of our time together.

Come to think of it, I like the unpredictability. I think I’d get bored otherwise. It adds a sense of adventure and risk that I think is more life-like, authentic and real. It allows us to do things as we see fit rather than doing things to meet the pre-planned goals. It allows us to be spontaneous, attentive and appreciative.

The pic is a self-portrait of my very spontaneous daughter Casile jumping off our coffee table.

Previous Post

October 15, 2007

cartoon: a new kind of bank

Next Post

October 16, 2007 cartoon: Uniformity Enforced!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many visions does the book of Revelation contain?

Select your answer to see how you score.

7 10 12 5