Creating Passionate Users has another great post on The Physics of Passion (some of the language is a little raw…you’ve been warned). The reality of life is that this same principle carries over to churches as well. Granger is a growing church. There are obviously a lot of people that love what we do. Given the results of this past weekend, it seems the ministry is also having an incredible impact on people’s lives.

Of course, success, whether it be in the marketplace or in ministry, also seems to foster contempt. We’re not “deep” enough. We don’t offer this program or that program. We don’t invest ministry dollars here or there. We’re not Methodist enough. We don’t use the right music. Our message is married too much to the culture. It’s amazing the grief you get when your sole purpose is just to point people to Jesus.

There are certainly some people who don’t like they way we do ministry. Some are more vocal than others. It would be dishonest to say those comments don’t hurt or at times cause anger. They do. But we learned long ago that to try to make everyone happy, you have to be comfortable with this “zone of mediocrity.” It’s a place where there are few critics but it’s also a place where few people become really passionate about ministry and their relationships with Christ.

Interestingly enough, I don’t think God likes mediocrity either (see Revelation 3:15-16). I kind of like that about him. I think he prefers passionate people and churches with convictions and vision and purpose. I don’t think he’s looking for perfect. If so, I don’t think he’d like me. But I do think he’s looking for passion. And, I’m fortunate to be surrounded by that every day.

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