Icy Driving



Vermont Ice Storm 2013 
Photo by blog.heathertimagery.com

One of those rare occurrences happened last week; we had an ice storm.  Not just some ice on the windshield in the morning or a little glazing on the stairs.  This was an ICE STORM in capital letters.  We already had some snow on the ground, but when we woke up on Saturday we had about a half inch of ice on most everything.  Trees were bent over into our driveway, limbs were cracking under the weight, people in surrounding towns lost power due to ice on the power lines.  Accidents were happening on the roads.  A close friend and his wife were in a major car accident on Saturday morning when an SUV heading in the opposite direction lost control and hit them head on.  Praise the Lord, they walked away with bruising (although the wife found out several days later that she had actually broken a bone in her wrist).  The man in the SUV had to be cut out of his vehicle through the roof.

To make matters more interesting the forecast for Saturday afternoon and night, through Sunday noon was for more of the same.  Upon learning of our friends car accident and seeing the weather reports we immediately canceled church for the next day, December 22, despite the fact that we were supposed to have our Christmas Cantata.  The safety of our people was paramount and took precedence over any other concerns.

 

Snow, despite reports to the contrary from the south, is not very hard to drive on.  Ice while similar, on the other hand, is more treacherous than snow.  One wrong move on your part, or on "the other guys" part and you can end up in trouble.  It occurred to me that churches are much the same. 

Every church is moving in some direction.  The question is whether or not it is moving in the right direction.  Most of the time you are alright in directing a church, but sometimes it can be a bit icy under the surface.  Follow a few rules and you can avoid many common problems.

 

First, there is a tendency for both cars and churches to have a bit of inertia.  Apply brakes slowly to avoid sliding.  If you know there is a turn coming, start applying the brakes slowly. 

 

Second, every action should be thought out and considered.  No sudden moves or you could lose control.  Look ahead and see what the conditions and other company on the road is doing.

 

Third, turns themselves can be slippery.  Bridges between sections of road can be more hazardous than the surround road, too.  Pay attention in these areas.

 

Fourth, weather conditions around you can result in a change in road conditions.  A sudden snow squall can reduce forward visibility, or a temperature dip in a valley can change a wet road surface to black ice. 

 

Fifth, always prepare for the worst that can happen, then pray for the best.  Carry extra supplies in your car, a full gas tank, an ice scraper, a snow brush, shovel, extra windshield spray, cell phone charger, a blanket, hat, coat and gloves.   Maybe you will never have to use these things, but do you really want to be in a ditch in a snowstorm with no hat, gloves and coat?  If you make plans for the worst, then you can handle anything that comes along.  In a church, if the church board in a period of transition figuratively 'slides off the road', what is your back-up plan?

 

Any analogy can be carried too far, and this one has gone far enough for now.  Remember, a church can be like a heavy car in a snow storm.  Use caution, watch the road ahead and make changes slowly. 

"...guard what has been entrusted to your care."  1 Tim 6:20 (NIV)

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