What BLUEPRINTS teach us

So if starting a new job wasn't enough, we've also decided to add a little more square footage to our abode.  Lest you should think it excessive, we are simply making our 2/1 a 3/2.  Anyway, that's not the point of this post, but does give you some context.

I have been fascinated sitting down with our architect and seeing him design our new space.  What is most striking is how he has both sides of the brain working.  There is the highly creative, aesthetically driven, artistic side.  However, there is also the engineering, calculated, methodical side.  Both are needed.  A good looking design with no engineering does little for anyone.  However, a well constructed though poorly designed layout/design misses the mark as well. 

I am additionally struck with the immense detail that goes into the blueprints.  We just received ours the other day, and for a relatively "simple" project, they are incredibly complex.  There are instructions that make no sense to me.  There are beautiful drawing alongside of seemingly innocuous details.  Everything is thought through.  Nothing is overlooked.  Llike I said, both sides of the brain going on here.

So why is this so interesting?  Assuming you're still reading.  Over the next year I will be developing and "architecting" plans for our new church plant.  I think churches have a tendency to make things overly complicated, but not because we are showing everyone the "blueprints" but because we have no blueprint.  Think of all the detail it will take to construct our small addition, yet it will be "simple" when it's completed.  You will know how to navigate it (assuming you come over for a visit, and we let you in our bedroom).  You will easily recognize the key things.  Where we sleep.  Where we keep our clothes.  Where we bathe.  Where I read (I'm not talking about the office here).  Page after page of blueprint detail leads to something beautiful, useful and simple.  This is what I want from our church.  I want it to be incredibly well designed behind the scenes.  I want both sides of the brain to influence everything we do.  Yet, everything we do nees to be accessible and intuitive.  It needs to make sense.  There needs to be a plan in place about how we are going to impact our community.  How people will get discipled.  How we will create culture. 

So the next 12 months should be interesting as I (with the help of many voices) try to architect this church plant.  Kind of a daunting task, but certainly exciting.  I am hoping this blog will give you a chance to sit down with me at the proverbial drawing table. 

Peace.