iServe: Cruise Ship or Battleship

Have you ever been on a cruise ship? If so, what did you like best about it? If not, does the idea of a cruise appeal to you? Why? What is it about cruise ships that is so appealing? Are there aspects of a cruise ship that make it appealing as a metaphor for church? What are they? What are the aspects that make it not such a good metaphor for the church? What is the closest you’ve ever been to a battleship? Served on one? Had a tour of one? Seen one on TV or in the movies? What thoughts/images come to mind when you think of a battleship? Are these positive or negative? Is the battleship a good metaphor for the church for you? Why or why not? On Sunday, we compared the church to a battleship and said the crew members should be equipped to succeed in carrying out their mission. Are you so equipped? If not, who are you going to share that with so that they can help you get equipped? We also said that crew members should be able to contribute in significant ways to the mission of the ship. Are you able to so contribute? If so, how so? If not, what would it take for you to be able to so contribute? Are you willing to share that with someone?