Sometimes the best way to start over is to clear your plate.

The most vibrant church Heather and I were part of did just that. They wiped all their ministries off the plate. Small groups, worship teams, drama, Sunday school programs. Everything. And they let God rebuild the church slowly.

They lost a lot of members. But the result was a fresh new thing. They (and we) found that the new church was open to what God wanted to do through them, rather than being stuck with, “We’ve always done it that way.” Silos of power were broken down. Those married to old systems left. New people joined who were more open to God’s movement.

In Leviticus 25, God announced a plan for the Israelites called the “Year of Jubilee.” After every 49 years, all property would revert to its original owners. Slaves were also set free. The chapter includes ways that the system would work.

We easily become slaves to the systems we set up. We often end up going through the motions rather than doing things for the purposes we (or others) originally intended.

So I’d urge you (and me) to examine what things we can cut out this summer – allowing God to have a fresh start with us. Be radical. It will hurt. But after the wounds heal, we may find more health than we’ve experienced in a long while.

Unlike Leviticus 25, I am not going to give you a road map for how to do this. You’ll have to work that out with God and others involved. I would suggest starting with prayer. Ask God how He wants you to start over. Be still. Listen to Him.

Have you done this already at some point in your life? Please tell your story in the comments.

(Paul Merrill writes here every First Friday)