There is a popular quote attributed to Plato which goes, "Necessity is the mother of invention." He was quoted in the Socratic dialogue Republic as having said, "Our need will be the real creator." The typical phrase adjoined with the former is that "art imitates nature." These trains of thought typically lead to the same sentiment—innovation is survival of the needed.
To be frank, this is a frightening and humbling thought experiment. As an innovative thinker and church planter, this means that Checkpoint as a concept only works if it is meeting the proper need—if it fills the natural void. One could argue that this has been the driving force behind the church for thousands of years. Why church? Because it went with our natural proclivities. Because it met our base desires.
This can certainly be contested. The Holy Spirit certainly throws a wrench into the argument. Religion is fairly natural. Spirituality is supernatural. It defies the odds. Or, at least, it should. What, then, does the success of a spiritual community ride upon? Need? Necessity? Nature? Or should we follow the words of Christ and consider the lilies? The answer is all of the above.
I start each day grateful for the opportunities put before in my ministry thus far. I give thanks for being clothed, literally and metaphorically, just as the Creator clothes the lilies. However, I am also constantly considering what must be done to meet the needs of this community. It's not so much a pursuit of survival, but instead a pursuit of nature. I am seeking out that which might give each and every one of you those warm'n'fuzzies. I want that butterfly feeling for you. I want you to know that you are heard; that you are seen; that you are loved. Because you are. Let's meet in the middle—what are you needing? How can we meet that need?
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