Did you have a lemonade/kool-aid stand as a kid? One of the most addicting games that I have played on my iPhone is Lemonde Stand Tycoon. You start out with a card table, a pitcher, some lemons, sugar, cups, and ice. As you use your business savvy, you upgrade your stand, your equipment, and your location. I eventually got to a point where I had so much money built up that I could not spend it all.

So what? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about business, ministry, and just life in general. I’ve been listening to a ton of podcasts (you remember those, right?), reading a ton of interesting material, and trying to map out plans for the future. So why am I thinking about lemonade stands?

I think the same principles that apply to growing a lemonade stand apply to pretty much every facet of business and ministry. You see, everyone starts somewhere. In both business and ministry, usually you start with nothing and grow into something. You use what you have to get your ministry or business positioned to grow and thrive. In business that usually means starting small used equipment and working alone, then expanding when resources become available. In ministry, particularly church planting, you start with two people (the pastor and his wife, plus any kids), and expand as God allows.

If everyone starts somewhere, in business or ministry, what are you doing TODAY that will get you to where you dream of being? What fires are you feeding in your soul that will grow your business, your ministry, or simply yourself?

It has been one heck of a ride. Over the past three years we have gone from having two very good jobs, a good church, great family near us to living many states away with more obstacles than I can outline here. The past two years have literally been the best of times and the worst of times. We have been stretched every which way from Sunday financially, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally, but I can without a doubt say that we are in every way better off for it. Great things aren’t easy and easy things aren’t that great. I made a huge decision a few weeks ago that I can tell you was probably one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I was basically one step away from a job that I have been trying to get for about two years…you know, one of those jobs that people dream of doing, with a great salary, great benefits, and a nice 20 year retirement. I had to tell them that I passed. The instant I did that, the peace that overcame our home is indescribable. Let me tell you why.

You may or may not know the story of Jonah. Basically, his life story as we know it takes up four chapters of the Old Testament. We read of Jonah’s journey from being a called prophet of God, to being a pleasure cruiser to a land far-far-away, his journey into the belly of a big fish, and finally his moment of fulfilling his calling from God. God called Jonah to this town called Ninevah…Jonah tried everything in his power to get the heck out of dodge.

Personally, the story of Jonah is one that I have basically lived through. Not sure what my ‘big fish’ is, but I’ve literally tried everything in my power to get out of this place that God called me to for about two years. If you’ve ever gotten yourself into a fight with God, you know what happens. YOU LOSE! In retrospect, it was pretty foolish to even think that I could win this one. I never claimed to be wise, only that I want to be used.

This whole picture didn’t really become too clear for me until this past weekend. As I was sitting in a worship gathering at Real Life, the pastor made an announcement that the church would be replanting yet another church into a campus of Real Life. I literally wanted to vomit. Justin mentioned that they are looking for a guy to go and be the planter/campus pastor. Again, nausea welled up in me.  You see, this group of people are meeting in the area and dreaming about the area that I have envisioned impacting…It is sort of like the Las Vegas Strip/Hollywood BLVD without all the glitz and glamor. The area is one of the most densely populated area in town, with a great deal of people that ‘church’ normally would not reach out to…homeless, prostitutes, drug dealers, and every-day-average-joes. That is why I wanted to vomit. I’m praying that we would be used there. We are in a place currently that we can commit to something huge and we’re ready to rumble! Really looking forward to what the future holds…because I know who holds the future.

Maybe it is just me, but on most days I’d rather be in a Motorcycle Club than join or go to Church.  I’ve been watching a show called Sons of Anarchy on FX (via Hulu.com) and can’t help but think of what the Church would look like if it were more like a motorcycle club. Please realize that I didn’t gain my experience of motorcycle clubs from a TV show, I grew up being close to a lot of Club members.

• Many motorcycle clubs are highly entrepreneurial.  That resonates with me. They find ways to make money, invest for the future, and also take care of not only their own people, but people in their communities.  Their endeavors are not limited to bars and strip clubs, but law firms, doctor’s offices, and countless other LEGAL operations. Bikers are huge supporters of Toys for Tots and also have tons of charity events throughout the year.  A great missional community aspect if you ask me.  We could learn a great deal from this by not just opening a coffee house or bookstore in a Business as Mission environment. Where else can we branch out? What other lines of business can be mutually beneficial?
• They are fiercely loyal to family and friends. If you’ve got an issue, they have your back. No questions asked. In Church, if you’ve got an issue you’re probably scared to bring it up because of how you’ll be judged.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen a lot of Churches that handle issues very well, but many don’t. Not just big issues, but just general life stuff.  You need a place to live? Crash on my couch. You need some food? Here is $50 bucks. You need a ride? I’ve got this old Ironside you can use until we can fix yours. Your old lady left you? Let me buy you a beer and we can talk about it.
• They are not concerned with the status quo. I dare venture to guess that you’d never hear the President of a motorcycle club talk about how he is worried that the club down the street doesn’t like them or the club secretary report about all the calls they’ve gotten about the latest mailing they sent out.  They simply do what they do because it is what they do. How often is the Church concerned with the status quo. Motorcycle clubs are generally governed by a charter or bylaws. That is it. They don’t allow anyone outside the club to tell them how to run things. How much more (or less) should the church be concerned with the status quo?
• Motorcycle Clubs generally like to party. In all honesty, I’m pretty boring. I’m a family man now, which means I don’t spend a lot of time hanging out with people that aren’t my family or close friends…and that usually takes place at a home of some sort. But back in the day, I used to love going to parties and hanging out with people that I didn’t know, talking about who knows what. Some of my fondest memories of my early twenties are when I was a waiter because I would hang out with my coworkers after work, share stories, food, and beer. I can honestly say that I had more spiritual conversations open up during those late nights/early mornings than at any other time in my life. I loved every second of it. I’m not saying you should go down to the bar every night, but it wouldn’t hurt to venture outside of your comfort zone now and again. (I’m preaching to myself as much as anyone else here)

I could probably draw many more parallels, but these are just some of the thoughts that sprang to mind. The main thing is that I don’t see the Church actually being the Church as described in Acts 2 as often as I have seen Motorcycle Clubs be the Church.  Again, preaching as much to myself as anyone else here. I’m probably more at fault than anyone reading this. I need to re-examine my priorities so that my life displays the attributes of the Church more often. I need to be more missional in my daily life. My hope is that we are all daily moving toward a more missional life and focus.