WINTER STORMS AND CHURCHES

Does your church have a winter weather plan? Better yet, does it have a severe weather policy? Some churches' policy is "if it's snowy or icy," we cancel. It's convenient for the staff and comforting to those who would really rather not venture out at such times. The pleasant cocoon of a warm fire, a well-stocked refrigerator, and cable TV are preferable to the effort to be present to worship or to participate in a Bible study. (And thank goodness if I was assigned to lead the Junior Highs.)

But outward focused churches never let it be that simple. Why? Because they have an upward focus. Some churches are so focused on numbers that they forget that some of the best work of the Spirit is done in intimacy of a smaller setting. I once was forced to cancel worship but did not get the call out early enough. I received a call from a missionary on furlough who was living across the street, asking if he could go ahead and have a service. There was no organist, no choir, no Sunday School, no preacher - but there were fifty people who still came to worship. Which is what they did - and they prayed for those in spiritual need who were isolated by the storm and for those road and emergency crews who were on duty.

Or here's another thought - cancellation policies usually derive from our inward focus. What opportunities for ministering beyond the church's programs and building could present themselves at such times?

Just a thought, but winter storms which cancel church as usual can still have a powerful potential for ministry.