Brother Wade, thank you for sharing this. I lived in Pryor, OK for several years and was well acquainted with the Garnett church during their halcyon days. I also remember the decline and eventual fall of that great congregation. I will always be grateful to them for their support of the Tulsa Workshop and the efforts of a couple of the elders (along with brother Marvin) who met with me a few times as I was making my journey out of legalism. Every time I am in Tulsa and drive close to the old campus I say a little prayer of thanks. While it is sad to think about what once was and what was lost, there was so much goodness present as well. I appreciated your thoughts on this. God bless!
“Rather, my role is to encourage and equip churches to be the best version of themselves they can be, within the constraints of their organizational DNA.”
That is a million dollar truth, hard earned but so on target. I was a workshop groupie, and I still miss it, but how many preachers went home to try to re-create the workshop fervor in a church that wasn’t prepared for that, nor able to embrace it. Still, I think ripples of positive influence still continue from the workshop. And I think your experience coming into Garnet and not experiencing the result that you wanted to see, was a good reminder to all of us that we are who we are, our church is what it is, and in that God is working in unseen ways – not to create the next mega church – but to reach out to the people that congregation is able to minister to.
Thank you for your honesty and transparency. It takes a lot of courage! The hero’s journey is replete with bittersweet experiences. I love how you recognize culture and your contributions to the outcomes. I also appreciate trying to make someone/something the next better version of themselves instead of constantly trying to live into mainstream dreams of having a mega church, perfect children, etc.
I struggle, through, to accept being a part of failure. You are right that everything has a lifespan. Many people are still finding value in the dying institutional church.
Perhaps it is a character flaw, but for me, I can’t be a part of repeatedly doubling down on the mistakes that led us to where we are now. I feel called to doing something different even if it has its own different problems. It will take a lot of experimentation (and failure) to find a new better representation of the Kingdom in North America.
Dear Wade, he who lives and desires to serve another day, despite personal as well as corporate struggles (including strengths and weaknesses) is already (at least in my mind) a man of faith. Such a man's words hold value and are worthy of consideration. In many ways you hit the nail on the head and just may help another preacher or another leader be more discerning of his place in the Kingdom. Thank you for having the courage to not only share your experience but the wisdom you have gained along the way. We are all better if we take time to consider what you have had to say. God bless you.
Wade, thank you for modeling biblical, sincere confession. It is uncommon. It is powerful. It is a witness that is hard to easily disregard or discount. Churches fail for lack of its presence in the thoughtful way you have modeled it here. Please, know your example is serving in an important way.
Thank you! It takes a lot of courage to admit something isn't working. I am thankful for you and your insights at this age. May you continue to serve and grow. I love and appreciate you!
Brother Wade, thank you for sharing this. I lived in Pryor, OK for several years and was well acquainted with the Garnett church during their halcyon days. I also remember the decline and eventual fall of that great congregation. I will always be grateful to them for their support of the Tulsa Workshop and the efforts of a couple of the elders (along with brother Marvin) who met with me a few times as I was making my journey out of legalism. Every time I am in Tulsa and drive close to the old campus I say a little prayer of thanks. While it is sad to think about what once was and what was lost, there was so much goodness present as well. I appreciated your thoughts on this. God bless!
“Rather, my role is to encourage and equip churches to be the best version of themselves they can be, within the constraints of their organizational DNA.”
That is a million dollar truth, hard earned but so on target. I was a workshop groupie, and I still miss it, but how many preachers went home to try to re-create the workshop fervor in a church that wasn’t prepared for that, nor able to embrace it. Still, I think ripples of positive influence still continue from the workshop. And I think your experience coming into Garnet and not experiencing the result that you wanted to see, was a good reminder to all of us that we are who we are, our church is what it is, and in that God is working in unseen ways – not to create the next mega church – but to reach out to the people that congregation is able to minister to.
Thank you for your honesty and transparency. It takes a lot of courage! The hero’s journey is replete with bittersweet experiences. I love how you recognize culture and your contributions to the outcomes. I also appreciate trying to make someone/something the next better version of themselves instead of constantly trying to live into mainstream dreams of having a mega church, perfect children, etc.
I struggle, through, to accept being a part of failure. You are right that everything has a lifespan. Many people are still finding value in the dying institutional church.
Perhaps it is a character flaw, but for me, I can’t be a part of repeatedly doubling down on the mistakes that led us to where we are now. I feel called to doing something different even if it has its own different problems. It will take a lot of experimentation (and failure) to find a new better representation of the Kingdom in North America.
Dear Wade, he who lives and desires to serve another day, despite personal as well as corporate struggles (including strengths and weaknesses) is already (at least in my mind) a man of faith. Such a man's words hold value and are worthy of consideration. In many ways you hit the nail on the head and just may help another preacher or another leader be more discerning of his place in the Kingdom. Thank you for having the courage to not only share your experience but the wisdom you have gained along the way. We are all better if we take time to consider what you have had to say. God bless you.
Wade, thank you for modeling biblical, sincere confession. It is uncommon. It is powerful. It is a witness that is hard to easily disregard or discount. Churches fail for lack of its presence in the thoughtful way you have modeled it here. Please, know your example is serving in an important way.
Thank you! It takes a lot of courage to admit something isn't working. I am thankful for you and your insights at this age. May you continue to serve and grow. I love and appreciate you!