Dear Cobham Park Church Family,
Whatever happened to common sense? In today’s world, things that should be straightforward are often ridiculously complicated. Examples might include tax returns, gender, or horseback riding. Yes—you just read correctly: even riding a horse can now require pages of fine print and a shrewd attorney. Tammy and I once celebrated our anniversary by taking a trail ride in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Before starting, we had to sign a lengthy legal disclaimer. Even the form’s title was a masterpiece of over-complication: “Horse Rental, Equestrian, Guide and Outfitter Services Agreement, Liability Release, and Assumption of Risk Agreement for Individuals.” I’ll quote one of the many paragraphs that followed in its original font size:
(I understand that) Horseback riding is classified as RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY and that risks, conditions, and dangers are inherent in (meaning an integral part of) horse/equine/animal activities, regardless of all feasible safety measures which can be taken, and I agree to assume them. The inherent risks include, but are not limited to any of the following: the propensity of an animal to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, death, or loss to the participant or to other persons, including but not limited to, failing to maintain control over an equine and/or failing to act within the ability of the participant. Horses are 5 to 15 times larger, 20 to 40 times more powerful, and 3 to 4 times faster than a human. If a rider falls from horse to ground it will generally be a distance from 3.5 to 5.5 feet, and the impact may result in harm to the rider. Horseback riding is an activity in which one much smaller, weaker predator animal (the human) tries to impose its will on, and become one unit of movement with, another much larger, stronger prey animal that has a mind of its own (the horse) and each has a limited understanding of the other. If a horse is frightened or provoked it may divert from its training and act according to its natural survival instincts which may include, but are not limited to: stopping short; spinning around; changing directions and/or speed at will; shifting its weight; bucking; rearing; kicking; biting; and/or running from danger. I also acknowledge that these are just some of the risks and I agree to assume others not mentioned above. I am not relying on THIS STABLE to list all possible risks for me.
Wow. If it were left to me, I would have just written: “Please remember that you will be riding an unpredictable animal, and you could get hurt. That would be your responsibility, because you can’t say we didn’t warn you.” But maybe such a simple statement wouldn’t provide sufficient protection against litigation.
Christians over-complicate things too. We seem to be confused, for instance, about what church is for. I’ve probably read a truckload of books which tried to explain the church’s purpose. I’ve taken classes and attended many conferences on that subject. Various people think that church is all about numbers, community needs, or political battles. Many assume that the church is here to cater to the preferences of its consumer-members. Some see the church’s role as preserving family heritage or tradition. And let’s not forget about music style, lifestyle, or fine points of doctrine! We make church ridiculously complex. But Jesus had more common sense than we do. He simply said:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
—Matthew 28:19-20a (ESV)
That’s the uncomplicated purpose of Cobham Park Baptist Church. This is our true measure of success. How are we doing? Let’s keep it simple!
In His Love,
Pastor Keith
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