Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Farming With the Faithful

I grew up in a farming family, in an area where farming dictates the way of life.  There are days when my soul longs for a return to the farm.  Sometimes I yearn for a time that is categorized more by the seasons than the seconds.  Sometimes my heart cries out for a pace that is more reverent than suicidal.  Sometimes I hunger for work that depends on more than my two hands.  Thoroughly situated in an urban setting, I frequently miss the farm.  Yet, the longer I minister the more I see the parallels between agriculture and ministy.  (By the way- have you ever noticed how Jesus' metaphors for the presence of the Kingdom and faith formation arise from agricultural settings.  While this no doubt stems from his agricultural context, I also believe it insinuates latent compatibilities between agricultural work and Kingdom service.)

Here are some of the similaritites I see between the two:
1) Farming is work that depends on external elements.  A farmer can do everything right- plant the right seed at the right time, water appropriately, fertilize as necessary, and monitor appropriately- and he is still one drought, flood, pest, fungus, hail storm, or lightning strike away from losing an entire crop.  In short, farming is bigger than the farmer.  A bountiful harvest is nothing short of a gift from God.  Likewise, ministry transcends the minister (thanks be to God).  A meaningful sermon demands ears to hear, human transformation requires something like death and resurrection (which lie outside the minister's jurisdiction), and a healthy church depends on the presence of the Spirit.  Like farming, much of ministry is trusting the process to more potent hands.  A vibrant ministry is nothing short of a gift from God.

2) Farming walks the line between the mundane and the miraculous.  Farmwork is oftentimes monotonous- doing the same things every season, every week, every day.  It is predictable.  On the other hand, watching a seed grow from the soil, observing water freshen a parched field, and remembering how one seed in April produced 25 more in September grants a farmer a front-row seat to miracles.  Likewise, a preacher's schedule is full of the same, regular activities:  visiting, studying, praying, preaching...  Yet, in the midst of the mundane one can witness miracles- common, ordinary, natural miracles.

3) Farming takes time.  The work is done in seasons and can't be done otherwise.  One week will not a crop make.  Farmers cannot rush and hurry.  (By the way, have you EVER seen a farmer in a hurry?)  A crop demands numerous rains, multiple sunrises and sunsets, and patience.  Seeds do not sprout in microwaves over seconds but in the soil over seasons.  Likewise, ministry cannot be rushed.  It takes time for faith to mature and for the Kingdom to make its home amongst us.  In fact, it happens so slowly and quietly we tend not to see it at all.  Oftentimes, I find myself trying to make the church grow in one week- make disciples in one sermon- make a sermon in 30 minutes.  However, microwave ministry tends to create 30-second disciples, with no root to sustain them in the long run.  Hurrying ahead of God usually ruins the harvest.  Sometimes, trust seems like more work than work!

I guess I'm beginning to see how lessons from the field can inform one's ministry and hoping we all can be humble, patient, and faithful in whatever season of life we are in.  Thoughts?

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