One definition of insanity is doing something over and over again expecting a different results. 
I can understand trying something twice or thrice with the hope that “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
But there has to come a time when I realize that doing certain things the same way and hoping for a more successful outcome is, at best, a waste of time, and at worse, a tremendous waste of the resources that God has graciously given me.
As a creature of habit, doing something different is hard for me. I’ve been trained to do certain things in a certain way. Many times, this is a good thing. For example, I’ve been celebrating Christmas the same way for the last 15 years. However, I’ve never looked for a different outcome at Christmas.
But leading people, preaching, teaching – these are things that I’ve also been trained to do in a specific way. And I’ve been looking for a different outcome over the years – a more successful outcome.
I want to lead people into a more personal and active relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to preach sermons that engage more people in ways that the Holy Spirit can more readily use to make people disciples of Jesus Christ. I want to teach people about living the full life that Jesus promised.
15 years ago, I graduated from seminary thinking that I had all the answers about how to do all three of these things successfully. Now I’ve reached the point where I can admit “I don’t know nuthin’.”
I tried to do it the way I learned at seminary. I read books, journals, resources. I went to seminars, symposia, and conferences.
In the spirit of 1970’s British comedy troop, my leading, preaching, and teaching is ready “now for something completely different.”
This should be interesting.
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