As a whitewater-rafting guide, I regularly led students down the Deschutes River in Oregon. A raft with eight middle-school students, each with paddles in hand, can be a chaotic mess. Each student has their own idea of where the raft should go at any given moment and has their own manner and rhythm of paddling. If they aren’t led to work as a team, paddles are banging into one another, kids are bumping each other and, while plenty of energy is expended, they are not likely to get where they need to be. Someone is going to fall out of the boat.
The question has often been raised by church leaders both within our conference and beyond: Why do we need a district or a conference? Why invest the time and energy in working together, rather than just focusing on our own communities? As a pastor, I considered the same question, and that raft full of students provides a good illustration of why working together can be powerful, energizing our churches and improving our effectiveness in our communities.
As a guide, I would allow students to experience the chaos of each working on their own. It was quickly tiring and frustrating. I would then show them an efficient way to use their paddle and more importantly show how to paddle in unison. The difference was astounding. When paddling together, with each stroke we could feel the boat surge forward, and suddenly the rapids became much more enjoyable, and the group had a great time together.
In all our differences, amidst our already busy lives, when we commit ourselves to working together, that unity gives evidence to the world around us that Jesus is in fact the savior of the world.
Similarly, when we as churches share resources, pray for one another, learn from each another and lean in together, we don’t expend more energy, but we do see more effective ministry outcomes. And ministry for leaders is a lot more enjoyable when we have colleagues to lean on. This is a strong argument for the value of leaning in as a USMB family.
There is, however, a much greater argument for why it is imperative that we continue to engage with districts and our conference. In all our differences, amidst our already busy lives, when we commit ourselves to working together, that unity gives evidence to the world around us that Jesus is in fact the savior of the world.
Hear the prayer of Jesus from John 17:20-22: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Jesus goes on to pray again for the unity of future believers (that includes you and me) saying our unity would show the world God’s love. There is great weight to these words.
When we lean in together, we live as answers to Jesus’ prayer. We offer a compelling argument to the world that Jesus was sent by God and we evidence God’s love.
I challenge you to take simple steps this month to lean in rather than paddling alone. Work alongside another church, pray for churches in your district and support our national efforts to become disciples who make disciples. As we paddle together, I am confident great things lie ahead.
Aaron Box began serving as the USMB national director in July 2024. Previously, Box served for 13 years as senior pastor of North Park Community Church in Eugene, Oregon. He has more than 20 years of ministry leadership experience. Box served on the USMB Leadership Board from 2014-2022 and has extensive volunteer experience leading in his local community. Box and his wife, Jennifer, have two children and reside in Eugene.
