Say no to 'free helicopters'

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/mission/missionthinking/churches_must_reject_free_helicopters/

[sydneyanglican,net] 3 Mar 2009--I used to work for a Search and Rescue agency that will remain nameless.

An entrepreneur, who will also remain nameless, offered to give this agency one of his helicopters. It was a very flash helicopter, only a couple of years old, much more expensive than one they could afford to buy, no strings attached with the gift. They said no. Reluctantly, graciously, and carefully - they said no to the free helicopter.

Why? Because the real cost of helicopters is not purchasing but maintaining. They were smart enough to see that accepting this generous offer would actually stop them doing the very search and rescue they were committed to. People and resources would be dragged away from their front line to maintain something that was too costly.

Churches could learn from this. How many times are ministries started because someone wants to give themselves to start it. Its not too long though before they are gone but the ministry continues and needs to be maintained. It even looks like the kind of ministry the church should be doing. But no-one is prepared to make the hard call that this good thing is stopping us doing the main thing we are supposed to be doing.