Nearly twenty-five years ago I doubled my one fine-art print of Edward Hicks's Noah's Ark with a second ark. I inadvertently began a collection that, had I realized its ultimate size, I might never have chosen to expand.
Today, guests who tour the General Conference headquarters enjoy viewing my display, which ranges from the remarkable and valuable to the truly kitschy. My collection grows by the well-intentioned generosity of those who ship items often addressed only to the one who collects Noah's Arks.
For a number of months now, I've received numerous copies of a cartoon illustrating a woodpecker drilling a hole in the ark, accompanied by proverbial truisms which may have some spiritual value for pastors:
Don't miss the boat. Priorities are essential. Many urgent matters can preoccupy our attention as well as our activities, but above all else, we must prioritize the things Jesus prioritizes to prepare ourselves and our people for His return. How tragic to miss the boat!
Remember, we are all in the same boat. Often it seems easier to compete than to cooperate. Our too-easily-adopted attitudes of "us versus them" can destroy our individual influence as well as our corporate impact.
Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. If heaven's first rule is "order," then planning becomes essential, whether long-range for the growth of the church or shorter range for sermons and worship services. Dwight D. Elsenhower said it well, "Planning is everything; plans are nothing." The very process of planning engages the creative spirit as well as the cooperation of those whose teamwork is needed for success.
The woodpecker may have to go. Refuse to permit a few negative complainers to hold your congregation or your goals hostage by their repetitive drilling. Usually the vast majority are with you, and if your leaders concur with your vision, you are safe to ignore the vocal minority.
Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do some thing really big. Our youth-saturated society needs ministries to children and youth, especially the essential task of deploying them in service for the Master. Equally important, we must honor, value, and utilize the contribution of seniors whose time and talents sustain multiplied church programs.
Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job. If you allow skeptics and scoffers to set your agenda, little or nothing of import will be accomplished. If, like Nehemiah, you are too preoccupied with important matters to sink to their level, these barking dogs will eventually tire of their own noise and retreat or, better yet, join the mission. Don't stoop to the level of your critics. Never wrestle with a pig. You cannot win and the pig enjoys the fight.
Build your future on high ground. Focus on eternity. Relegate low value issues to the level of their ultimate impact. For example, don't bog down fighting over carpet colors when weightier matters are neglected. Likewise for interpersonal relationships. Thinking leaders talk about ideas and observe people. Reactionaries talk about people and only observe ideas.
For safety's sake, travel in pairs. Team ministry is Jesus's plan. Work two-by-two for specific reasons such as safety (both of your person and your reputation) and success (two are more effective than one; plus each learns from the other). Try to include your spouse in partnership as the modern fulfillment of our Lord's design.
Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. The more worthy a project, the more time it may take to fulfillment. Get started. Making progress may be more important than completion. Faithfulness is measured by consistency.
When stressed, float awhile. If you cannot remember your last vacation, then you have not taken sufficient time off. Frenetic activity is no indication of either importance or wisdom. No pas tor has ever been busier than Jesus, who regularly found time for spiritual, social,and recreational retreats. Take your days off. Even if you believe you don't need them, your spouse and your members know that you do!
The ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. However, the ark's design specifications were from God. Nothing can limit the effectiveness of amateurs as long as they follow heaven's plan.
No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. In this life, God's people will experience trials. A better world is coming. His kingdom is just around the corner. Even during your lonely times, remember Jesus' promise, "I will see you again!" (John 16:22).
If tempted to despair, refocus. The only thing that made life tolerable on board that ark full of smelly animals was the sure and certain knowledge that things were a whole lot worse on the outside. If circumstances seem over whelming and your problems multiply, just remind yourself of how much worse things are outside.
Display booth theme. We have chosen "Don't Miss the Boat" for our display booths at the upcoming St. Louis session, and I hope thousands of you will stop by for a chat and enter our drawing for a free fine art print of "The Invitation," newly commissioned art by renowned artist Elfred Lee. In addition to his extraordinary artistic capabilities, which have been featured at our displays for the last two sessions, Lee has uniquely prepared for this painting by making four expeditions up Mount Ararat in Turkey to search for Noah's ark. We are pleased to joint venture with John and Christen Adolfi of Bibleland Studios in bringing this artistic masterpiece to the session and making it available for purchase in your churches and homes.
Emphasizing highest-quality production techniques, the original 4x8 canvas has been reproduced by Hallmark's art division into 6,000 signed limited-edition prints of such quality that each looks like an original. The studio's "wonder of reality," links online (www.ministerialassociation.com) and showcases as reality what others might consider only fantasy. Adolfi says, "I believe our purpose at Bibleland Studios is best summarized, "Reaching the heart through the imagination."
In cooperation with scholars at Geoscience Research Institute, Creation Research, and the Ellen White Estate, Bibleland Studios is pleased to present a vivid, faith-affirming depiction of God's messenger, Noah, extending a final invitation to accept God's mercy.
Please accept our invitation to view this magnificent painting in person or online, and to own a copy for yourself.
Above all, when you hear God's invitation, Don't miss the boat!
