The Stink

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“The church is like manure. Pile it together and it stinks up the neighborhood; spread it out and it enriches the world.”

- Luis Palau

I’m new to Kansas.Though I was born in Ottawa and lived out west in Ness City when I was younger, I’m still figuring out what it’s like here. But I’ve spent a fair amount of my life in Iowa. In Iowa there’s something that we often notice when driving around the state. There’s a certain stench that begins to waft its way into the car. In our car, it’s about the time the boys start blaming each other. But, inevitably, it’s a hog farm or a semi-truck full of livestock in its trailer. What I’ve noticed is that whenever that happens as I’m driving, I instinctively reach up and switch our climate control over to inside air. I do whatever I can to shut out the smell.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that in my backyard - where our boxer leaves his own presents for us - I rarely smell anything. It seems that the offensive odor only bothers us in concentration, but while spread around, it’s not as bad and actually does a lot of good.

Sometimes in this country I wonder how much we’ve forced those around us to turn away from the church because all they see or smell is a huge concentration of us together and we don’t smell so good.

A less offensive analogy may be that of a sports team. As players spend every day in practice, working and working to learn their assignments, the fans only show up for the games. If all the Chiefs ever did was practice, they’d never have a chance to win a game.

As God’s church, we are absolutely called to assembly. The book of Hebrews reminds us that we “must not give up meeting together…” and we need to encourage and challenge one another in Christ. We need to come together to worship, to grow, and to practice. But the church is also called to spread out as Jesus teaches in the Great Commandment and Great Commission.

“Some want to live within the sound of the church or chapel bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”

- CT Studd

I love the church. That’s a big part of why I love my call to lead, nurture, and teach in the church. But we are called to so much more than to be gathered up near the church bells. We are called to enrich the world, not stink it up.

So pray with me and dream with me as we look for ways to spread out in mission to our neighbors. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth.” So like salt, let’s flavor our community with the love of Christ. There is much to do in Gardner. I’m excited.