For a number of years now I’ve been operating off of a metaphor for ministry that is no longer working.

It may have been my campus pastor who first introduced me to the image  of a banquet table — back in the mid-90’s — as a metaphor for ministry.

Our work (as pastors) — I learned — was to “set the table” (making it as attractive as possible) and then to extend the invitation (both far and wide) to those we are called to lead and to serve…

It was then left up to the students to “come” and “eat.”

We could not (and should not) force them to come or engage.

We would do our part — and they would need to do theirs.

And I believe this metaphor has served me well for a number of years in ministry with students.

But a fellow campus pastor challenged me on this metaphor just last week.

In fact, she was the one who opened my eyes to the fact that if we continue to sit and wait for students to come to our feast — no matter how attractive the table or warm the invitation — we might find ourselves waiting for a very long time.

She then stated, “I think we need to be more proactive, more mobile — I like the image of a picnic!”

 

 

YES! A picnic.

What a marvelous metaphor for ministry in 21st Century North America!

I may not be able to take all of the elements of the feast from the banquet table with me (and I think that’s OK), but I’m also not confined to waiting for people to come to me.

There may very well be many of you already serving out of this metaphor — if so, TEACH ME!

I would guess that most of you on state school or secular campuses, or even college ministries in local churches, have operated out of this mind-set for most of your ministry career.

TELL ME — What is working and not working for you and your “portable ministry”?

For the past 14 years I have served on Christian college and university campuses — and therefore my metaphor of table and invitation worked — but things have definitely trended away from this reality.

And so I’m packing my picnic basket and preparing for a year of ministry in a variety of places across campus.

What about you?

> Are you operating off of a metaphor that is no longer helpful or accurate given your ministry context?
> How portable is your ministry?
> What advice might you have for me as I pack my basket?

I look forward to hearing from you on this!