When we figure out how to get motivated to get out of our comfort zones and actually mingle with the people we are trying to reach, I believe the simple church will actually grow exponentially. Everywhere I turn, I see people hungry to hear some good news, but no one seems to want to hear the good news in a traditional way. However, demonstrated love and compassion does make an inroad or a bridgehead into a heart of granite. Our adolescent leaders (Terry, we still need a good non-church term to call our “youth.”) are working with “at risk teens. After several weekly meetings, I dropped in to show my support. I was thanked for actually staying and participating in the discussion instead of looking around in a supervisory type way. While there, my cell phone went off. I had forgotten to put it on silent and my ring tone grabbed everyone’s attention. A week later, the leader mentioned to me that the kid’s were really talking about “the pastor’s” ring tone. I guess it comes close to Jon Zens’ illustration of the pastor accepting a cigar. Perhaps every pastor ought to have “Back in Black” by AC/DC for a ringtone. What pharisee would have ever thought that? I know I never dreamed that a ringtone I inherited from my son would help dismantle a ministry barrier. I guess we really do need to think out of the box. Incidentally, I told my wife just yesterday, that I am ready to have a few neighborhood men over “just to get to know each other.” Developing that trust with those who need us just takes time. OK, I’m not through but my coffee cup is empty so I’m going to refill it.