Looking more closely at the ministry of Jesus, it's hard to picture him rushing to still another meeting at the temple. Instead, he ministered calmly, deliberately, always putting people before programs, buildings, or budgets. He remained focused on his mission, refusing to be drawn into anything that would distract him from what the Father wanted him to do.

Having read Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger's Simple Church recently and becoming acquainted with Andy Stanley's philosophy of "less is more," I wondered aloud with these ministers of education if our churches today are not simply too busy, asking too much time and energy from our folks. Don't hear me suggesting what we offer in our churches has no place. Worship is the centering our folks desperately need. People need the community offered by the church family. And, they need the coaching and equipping offered in our discipleship programs. But let's not confuse ends with means. Worship, community, and discipleship are the means for enabling Christians to impact their "corner of the world."