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MOMENT MINISTRIES
EXPANDS TO LAS VEGAS?
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We have a contact in Las Vegas. Actually, we have suspicious sorts scattered
all around the country. An e-mail inquiry arrived at corporate headquarters
here in Corvallis. (We have not yet moved to our summer location on Puget
Sound). |
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“I would like to start a ‘branch’ of Moment Ministries here in Las Vegas.
Do you have any objection?” |
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This is scary. |
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After all the things I’ve said about institutional-ism and denominational-ism,
now we have the potential to move on to the main stage. Paul and I would
be acknowledged as “founding fathers of the north…always welcome as VIP-guest
ministers.” Would that make me a bishop? |
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Haven’t talked to Paul about this yet, but he’s always good for an adventure.
He’ll wonder whether they will supply quarters for the slots. |
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Our web page details the founding and principles of Moment Ministries for
anyone more interested. In brief, we wanted a front for me to continue
doing pastoral stuff for people outside the churches. Paul and I have had
25 wonderful, memorable years doing “moment ministries.” There’s more market
out there than we have time or ability to meet. |
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The other thing we wanted was a base for a small group of people who needed
a sense of community without the structure of a full-service church. We
would eat, sing, and do some things together. We used to gather weekly,
but are now on a monthly schedule. |
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One basic idea was that we did not intend to create a structure involving
committees and lots of activities that would take people away from their
families and other community involvement. People in our group are not group
dependent, but have lives that center in other venues. |
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So, we don’t have committees, property, salaries, or fund-raising (although
we do receive gifts toward our publication expenses). I don’t think we’ve
ever asked for funds. We try not to promote, although we run an ad at Christmas
to let people know we’re still doing Christmas Eve at the Old World Deli
and Pub. As a result, our numbers rarely increase. In fact, although we’ve
had several hundred different people through the years, most have moved
on. |
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There is a group dynamics related question about whether it is possible
to have an organization that isn’t organized, that doesn’t promote, that
doesn’t ask for commitment to membership and financial contribution. Since
we really had no plans to exist past the first year, we didn’t worry about
such things. If a person was thinking of developing an ongoing “congregation,”
these matters should be re-visited. |
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I wouldn’t presume to tell Las Vegas how to run a show. |
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Were I to begin something, I think I would find a friend or two with a
similar interest. I would likely gather some people who know how to make
music and begin to sing some songs. As a minister I would let people know
of my background and willingness to be helpful to any who wanted to create
a wedding or memorial service or some other kind of personal celebration.
I would offer my training as one who is an informed listener. And, being
who I am, I would write. I think that I am connected with as many people
as I am because I publish the blue sheet. I would want theological freedom
and openness. |
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For me, Moment Ministries has meant daring to do whatever comes next, rather
than planning so that what is next is certain to come. As a long time manager
this has been one of my more difficult efforts. But I’m more at peace with
it all the time. Something always comes next, especially if your intention
is to be open to it. I don’t think Jesus had a daily planner. |
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I guess the last thing I would add is not to worry about results. I did
a career in which I was almost totally result oriented. I’ve learned (almost)
that you never know what matters most. Most of us will never be remembered
for the things we worked hardest to achieve. We never know what word we
speak or write, what thing we do, what incidental moment of contact along
life’s way, will make a difference to someone. When I talk about “moments,”
I mean those meaningful events we do not remember ourselves. Every connection
has unimaginable possibilities. |
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Folks in Las Vegas—or anywhere—don’t need my blessing to venture into such
a ministry. I say, go for it—and invite us to the grand opening!
— Art Morgan,
May, 2002
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