I was today years old, as the youngsters put it, when I learned about starter engines. (I didn’t learn much, so for details talk to your local petrol-head.) But it turns out many engines need to get moving in order to get moving. Up until 1912 nearly all cars were started with a hand crank. Then starter motors arrived – little engines to get bigger engines going.
And it got me thinking, because I’m interested in how things get going. How does movement begin? Perhaps you know the frustration of being part of a group or church where there’s much that could be done but not a lot of movement. What do you do?
I hope your first thought is ‘Pray!’ God is the prime mover, the only one who can bring something from nothing, life from death. If you’re stirred to pray because nothing seems to be happening, then rejoice – something’s already happening! God’s Spirit has stirred you. And you may well become part of the answer to those prayers – a little starter engine to help greater movement happen.
So how can we be crank-y? Here are two common pitfalls to avoid:
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- You may have a prophetic role to play, including naming problems and being an unpopular voice. But do it thoughtfully and lovingly. Nagging rarely motivates. Be wise in voicing frustration; the last thing you want is to stall an engine you’re hoping to start.
- Over-functioning. A common Christian temptation. You see others being slack and compensate by doing what they should be doing. It’s not sustainable – a little starter engine trying to do the work of the whole engine! And it creates a system that allows slackers to keep slacking.
So what can we do?
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- Re-evangelise the stalled. At the end of the Prodigal Son story the father goes out to the older brother. He doesn’t berate him; he reminds him of good news and invites him in. We all need reminding of the blessings of walking and working with God. Good news motivates. God’s word sparks life.
- Make an ‘I will if you will’ offer. “If two people will help and two will pray, I’m happy to lead an Alpha course.” This resists over-functioning and draws others along.
- Find out who’s ready. Sometimes we get stuck because everyone is waiting for everyone else. The car is packed and ready, but nobody gets in it because everyone assumes someone else isn’t quite ready. We all potter around to fill in the time, which in turn makes others think we’re not ready. Sometimes the crank-iest thing you can do is simply ask, “What are we all waiting for? Let’s get moving!”
*Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.
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Image: Library of Congress via Picryl.com
