There is no augmentation without an amputation. -McLuhan

A few weeks back I was in the midst of a discussion where someone who I respect greatly tossed out this quote.  We were in the midst of a relatively basic conversation about the future of the Western Church.  He said it then and it struck me as something that we don’t really talk about too much within the church.  I’m sure that many of us who are involved in Church ministry all have some sort of program, event, ministry that we would love to kill but we don’t feel like we can without upsetting a ton of people.  But, I think too that the reality is that many of us can’t do anything new at all because of all the energy we are expanding keeping the past decisions afloat. I am a huge fan of Marshall McLuhan and think he was a brilliant thinker and futurist who completely understood how much things would radically change.  He is in my estimation still further out than most churches even though he passed away back in 1980. So how does this fit in youth ministry? 1. Have your really dreamed much about how things could work if you could start from scratch in your church, community and ministry?  If you had full freedom to begin again what things would be essential and what things that you are currently doing would you want to cut out. 2. What things are you currently doing that you believe have served their purpose and now only exist to prop up memories?  Maybe now is the time for an amputation. 3. Most amputations are done when things are unhealthy but occasionally they are done when there is the “potential” that something may become unhealthy.  Are there areas in your ministry that have the potential to become unhealthy and would a little trimming now stop you from a full amputation later? I’ve never been afraid of change.  The opposite is probably more true. I embrace change especially when it makes sense.  One thing that is helpful in this is that people have confirmed in me that they think I have the gift of discernment. I often am able to perceive the necessary changes and steps we need to take before others.  Where I get in trouble is when I don’t do a good job of explaining myself and my reasoning and help others to discern the same thing.  That’s an area I’ve grown in but is still tough.  Just because something appears clear to me doesn’t mean it is to others. So here’s my Wednesday though.  What things in your life, ministry and world do you see that are ready for change and how will you amputate things in order to make those changes happen?