The Committee

Chuck cleverly convinces The Committee that hospitality is not something you put on, it’s a lifestyle. Taking on the role of a French waiter, Chuck humorously sets a table for six to demonstrate the true meaning of hospitality. Everyone is about to discover they may not have the heart for this. Squabbling over mistakes they’ve all made—glomming on to first-time visitors, hanging only with friends instead of newcomers—it’s a fine line to walk, and much to consider, along with The Committee.

Unfolding during the annual church rummage sale, Chuck shuffles through old skeletons and broken lamps to illustrate The Committee has been asleep at the wheel. “Our community has changed, but we’ve stayed the same.” Becoming creatures of habit—or “let’s have another rummage sale”—doesn’t sit well with anyone. The mission of the local church, to be a vital congregation, is to reflect its community. Trying to deal with this very unsettling reality is about to disrupt The Committee.

To better understand the church’s purpose in the community, Chuck reminds The Committee—aka the overly confident “good ideas” committee—they’d better ask themselves, “WHY are we here?” Coming up with a lot of good ideas—the church picnic, more modern music, a contemporary service—just isn’t good enough. The “why” becomes the critical question to be answered and understood. In the process of figuring it all out, an annoying board game buzzer is about to drive everyone crazy!

Oh, no. It’s the "E-Word." Evangelism rears its ugly head, as Chuck keeps the members of The Committee from running for the door. All the baggage that comes along with that word has the small group falling all over themselves trying to sort it out. It’s the difficult challenge between saying something off-putting or doing the work of spreading the good news. The Committee takes a refreshingly different look at evangelism, discovering that the poor Mr. E-word is just simply misunderstood.

Chuck takes The Committee on a trip to “Whoville,” where he utilizes the world of Dr. Seuss—donning a crazy red wig and all—to better understand “who” lives in the surrounding community. Daniel Sanchez, the newest member to this “church thing,” but not new to the community, helps direct traffic. Along with Chuck, the Compass Committee wrestles with the revelation that the Who should drive every decision The Committee makes.

Mr. Riley continues to narrow-mindedly push the agenda of the Compass Committee, while Chuck once again amusingly derails the small group, this time with an investigation of discipleship. Playing a whistle-blowing referee, Chuck coaches The Committee to a better understanding of what is sorely missing. Simply “do good, be good” doesn’t qualify as something every church must intentionally create to make disciples, a discipleship system.

During the heated debate over the favorite Compass Committee snack—donuts or fruit platter—the lights go out! Literally. Searching in the dark, The Committee discovers how antiquated the church is, and the importance of innovation, a word not often heard around church. Why is that? Chuck insists it’s a question worth investigating, helping The Committee to “see the light.” Churches that innovate tend to thrive.

It seems a simple question—what is a small group? But simplicity once again has the Compass Committee upside down and inside out. When our favorite well-intended Choir Director Glenda attempts to clarify—“We are a committee, not a small group”—it only baffles newest member Daniel all the more. Leave it to perceptible Chuck to redirect the befuddled “small group” into better understanding one of the most important things we do at church.

Daniel’s daughter Andrea visits The Committee, illuminating how ineffectively at times the church engages children and their families. The younger student’s point of view forces old-school Mr. Riley and the rest of the round table to take inventory as a faith community, prompting The Committee’s further exploration of serving children and their families, and how important they are to the life of the church.

Time for proud and prudent Mr. Riley to hang the cringe-worthy Stewardship Campaign banner, proclaiming “God Knows What You Can Afford.” Chuck and the rest of the Compass Committee grapple with the full meaning of stewardship in hopes of convincing the financially-centered Mr. Riley to let go of the old idea that stewardship is merely an annual campaign. The new definition must be more than what many in the church have only considered the best way to pay its bills.

Chuck has one foot out the door, sending shock waves through the Compass Committee. He’s tired of the endless “church committee” jokes, realizing the truth in so many of the unflattering remarks. Dysfunctional committees have forgotten their purpose, stuck in their ways, and rarely accomplish anything. Before Chuck has had enough, the table of six must ask themselves the toughest question of all. Are they really making a difference?

During an entertaining White Elephant gift exchange, the aging Compass Committee must confront the wise, old elephant in the room. Congregations are growing older. The round table realizes how older and younger adults must work together in order for the church to survive. Both contentious sides are exemplified in real time by progressive Daniel and traditional Mr. Riley. Both points of view must be understood, and sacrifices must be made. Easier said than done, to walk in someone else’s shoes.

The nerve-racking Jenga Game takes center stage, as The Committee wrestles with a more serious topic. Older leaders must make room for younger leaders. While Mr. Riley is accused of being Mr. Grumpy Pants, and Hannah admits to continually rattling his cage, Chuck reiterates, “If you aren’t upsetting someone, you probably aren’t doing anything significant.” Amidst all the moving parts, the debate continues: how should older leaders make mental and physical space for younger leaders?

Addressing the overwhelming dilemma, a choice must be made—time’s up! The long, arduous, and at times even profound, process—with all its emotional ups-and-downs—comes to an end. Will the Compass Committee decide to close the church’s doors or keep them open? For most around the table of six, it’s a never-ending discussion. For Mr. Riley? Enough said. The least unlikely persuader works its way forward, revealing the biggest surprise yet of The Committee’s journey together.

The new Park Grove Community Church opens its doors. Resurrection! Is it the end for the Compass Committee, or are they just getting started? It’s been quite an expedition for Chuck, Mr. Riley, and the rest around the table of six. A memorable journey together and one the Compass Committee hopes will continue. It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new beginning.