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Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - Join Pastor John for a Daily Devotional

June 16, 2020 by Rev. John Hartman

“MacGyver Ministry”

Do you remember the TV show, “MacGyver,” starring Richard Dean Anderson? It ran from 1985-1992, which is an eternity in network television. It was a pretty successful show, and had its own cult following. In fact, it was so successful, that they did a remake which launched in 2016. Of course, it might just be that Hollywood has run out of good ideas for new TV shows.

MacGyver was this ingenious hero, with an improvisational nature, who had this uncanny knack for always getting himself out of tricky situations, with ordinary items like a pencil, a paper clip, and a piece of chewing gum. He was the human version of a Swiss Army Knife who could disable a sophisticated explosive device, or a hostile attacker with evil intentions. Whatever the situation, MacGyver creatively used the materials he had on hand to get the job done. What I remember and appreciate about MacGyver is that the key to his success wasn’t necessarily the things he had in his pants pocket, or even his detailed and intimate knowledge of, -- well, nearly everything. It was his humble imagination that he brought 100% to each dilemma, -- that ability to correctly read the situation, and then figure out how to avoid disaster by using the available “tools” to him in a unique way.

I feel like that we are doing “MacGyver Ministry” at Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church. Staff, officers, and volunteers are using their imaginative skills to promote the good news of the gospel. It was something we weren’t expecting to have to do, nor did we ask for this challenging assignment. It has come out of necessity, amidst the pandemic, and changing circumstances. Words do not adequately express my appreciation of the talents, attitudes, and faith of those who continue to step forward in guiding our church. We will continue to demonstrate grace, hope, knowledge, and the always important “technical” skills. This is our opportunity to deploy the available tools in creative and sometimes surprising ways as we respond to the unique demands of these moments. As the Apostle Paul writes, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

There is no doubt that our church’s tools might look a bit different from MacGyver’s, and we will need “energy, intelligence, imagination and love” in how we use them well. But, you never know, some duct tape may just come in pretty handy.