Will Carl make the right decision?  You may not have seen the Disney movie, “Up”. In short, by attaching thousands of balloons to lift his home, 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen expects to fulfill his lifelong dream to see the wilds of South America. As soon as he lifts off, he realizes he is not alone on his trip. A young ‘Wilderness Explorer’ named Russell, 70 years his junior, has accidently become a hitchhiker on the trip.  Once they arrive just short of their destination, Carl must attach his house to his back by the garden hose and trudge through the jungle till he reaches the right spot.  The house represented his past and many missed opportunities.  What Carl did not understand was that in his present state his house was still holding him back and slowing him down.  But the house was familiar and safe.  It caused many difficulties for Carl in the jungle.  Finally, Carl had to make a very difficult decision: to cut the house loose to save young Russell.  You see Russell was living for the future, which led to risk, and Carl lived in the past, which led to, well, nothing.  After much thought, Carl did it.  He cut the house from his back to save the day.  It enhanced Carl’s life and took his influence to a whole new level.
You know, as I watched the life of Carl, full of regret and setbacks, I was reminded of my life in ministry.  Often our dreams and goals go unachieved because of the house tied to our backs.  We trudge through the jungle of ministry and miss many opportunities because we are attached to regret and safety.  In fact, fear of risk begins to hold us back.
I have come to a realization in this ministry God has given to me.  I want to make a difference in this world for the cause of Christ.  In order to do that I have to accept some risk.  I am a pastor.  My ministry is to equip saints for ministry.  But how? Many pastors have become comfortable simply following models instead of thinking deeply for themselves and taking calculated risks for the Kingdom.  We allow mega-churches to set the model for smaller churches and we allow curriculum to determine the goals we will achieve instead of thinking deeply for our own ministry.  Becoming innovative means to think for the future. God called us to make a difference.  If you knew God would bless it, what would you do for Him?  When is the last time you sat down and said in prayer, “Lord, what would you have me risk?”  That is innovation.  Do not settle for simply following models, do God’s will! When God called me to ministry I told my pastor, “I want to be just like you.”  I will never forget his response, “God already has me, He called you for you.  He wants you and your personality, Let it shine.”  God’s will is not to follow models.  What will you do?  Follow a model? Or think deeper?