I often live in a lofty world of ideals, philosophy, whimsy, and sweeping generalizations. Phrases like “vision drives decision” and “you need to find a place where your dreams, skills, and income converge” all sound well and good. People like those phrases. They share them on Facebook and Twitter. They quote them in blogs posts. They fit nicely into talk outlines. They send me emails letting me know how meaningful that was in their situation. But there are definitely times when the lowest common denominator matters.
– When your ministry is out of money…
– When the boss is deciding the budget…
– When no one shows up…
– When moral is at an all-time low…
– When you’ve just been laid off…
– When your start-up is almost bankrupt…
– When your child gets sick…
– When war breaks out in your backyard…
What’s interesting about a recession, about crisis, about personal turmoil– is that you learn that at the end of the day that the lowest common denominator is more important than ideals, vision, and philosophy. You could have a great vision for your church. But, without cash that vision is just a dream, that philosophy is just an academic exercise, and your ideals are just snotty.
A person swears up and down that they are a pacifist. But when war rages in their neighborhood and takes the life of a loved one, they will fight. People will say that numbers don’t matter in youth ministry. But when no one comes to their retreat, the boss is looking to cut their budget, and the board is looking to fire them… they will quote numbers like a Baptist after and altar call.
A person will say, “I’d never work do that kind of work.” But, if you get hungry enough you will.
When crisis hits people get tribal. They protect what is most core to them. And they lash out to defend. They make decisions that seem out of character. That’s when lowest common denominator becomes all that really matters.
Leave a Reply