CHRONOS AND KAIROS IN
SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT MINISTRIES
Chronos In SMRM
Chronological time is sequential
time. It is that simple recognition of
what has happened. As one who loves
history, chronos provides for me a framework to understand story as when it
happened and who was involved in it.
The chronological story of Smoky Mountain
Resort Ministries (SMRM) makes for a story of God guided moments and people
that is a joy to reflect upon. Chronos
in SMRM is long and rich and filled with powerful people who appear in the
story at the right time to move this ministry through time.
Chronos in SMRM is organizational in
the 1970’s with active beginnings and creative and new mission
expressions. It is names like Glenn
Cardwell, W.A. Galyon, Melvin Carr, and all of Sevier County Association of Baptists
working together to birth something new.
The story of the 1970’s involves Randy Hurst and Stan and Joanie
Albright and such things as campground ministries and The Fishnet
Coffeehouse.
Bill and Cindy Black arrived in 1981 as
SMRM was made a full time missionary position.
The 1980’s became a time of program development and skill development as
resort missions took its place in mission awareness. The ski ministry at Ober Gatlinburg was
begun. As Pigeon Forge came into its own
as a resort destination, SMRM expanded again with puppet shows at the first
outlet malls and outreach into the water parks. Special event ministries were designed for
such things as the Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair.
The chronology of the 1980’s reveals programs, people (summer staffs of
20 or more!), and numbers.
The 1990’s deepened the story SMRM
through celebrating long relationships with churches such as Thomson, GA First
Baptist or Lebanon, TN First Baptist who send mission teams each year (both
began in the1980’s and continue to this day!).
Those long relationships were celebrated and utilized through our house
parent corps. The story deepened through
the development of the Dollywood chaplain’s ministries through Eric Spivey and
others. The death of Art Holloway
through cancer and the death of Kelley Shelton through an accident made real
the SMRM community with the Art Holloway Missions Endowment Fund and with a
soul-searched and God-guided redefining of SMRM in terms of mission, vision,
and character statement (how is “risk” at work in SMRM?).
The timeline of the 2000’s and this
current decade is marked with relational ministries done by small staffs with
deep community involvement. Scott and
Jenn Capshaw, Lizzie Sessions Kirk, and many of our
now-grown-up-former-summer-missionaries-who-come-back-to-serve have made real
our key missional words of intention, initiative, purpose, and action. The presence of international workers in our
resorts has led to SMRM becoming a global force for missions. SMRM is blessed by God in ministry action
every day.
Kairos In SMRM
Understanding SMRM in the fullness of
time provides for an even deeper appreciation of this ministry. Kairos is the Greek word meaning the right
or opportune moment. Kairos interprets the meaning of time and recognizes the
qualitative nature of time. Kairos is
the fullness of time.
Through time, SMRM has functioned (1)
to allow creativity to become a key expression of missions; (2) to provide
worship and Christian interpretation of life in outdoor and unexpected places
and moments; (3) to express Christian care into the lives of those in need and
in hope; (4) to share God’s love and invite others into that loving and saving
presence through Jesus Christ; (5) to develop and set the standards of the
language and action of resort missions; (6) to model the Church as it can be
known in resort settings and to leisure lifestyle people; (7) to grow
Christians in their understanding of mission; (8) to allow people to discover
God’s will for their lives and to test the meaning of that will in a Christian
community of acceptance; (9) to become a deep and connected missional
community; (10) to reveal the presence of God active in peoples’ lives; (11) to
move people out of their comfort zones and into God’s world on the edge; (12)
to be a celebrative and joyful people connected all over our world as SMRM’ers;
(13) to impact the world with God’s love as people with whom we minister go
from this place; (14) to be the Church in this moment of time in this
place!
(I wrote this list at 4:30 a.m. without
hesitation or design. I would invite you
to think of SMRM’s impact on you or God’s use of you through SMRM for more such
phrases.)
The Chronos Of Now
The chronos of now, however, has become
a key moment for SMRM. This is the new
age where SMRM must stand on its own feet.
Denominational support that has worked from its beginnings has been
lost. Southern Baptists and Tennessee
Baptists no longer support SMRM with any financial help. Sevier County Association of Baptists believe
in resort missions and SMRM. They have
affirmed Bill Black as Director.
Now, SMRM is an independent non-profit
corporation with ministry guidance from the Sevier County Association of
Baptists. Now, SMRM must raise its own
money for both salary and program. Now,
SMRM needs $168,000 a year to meet its budget.
Now is the new and powerful moment for SMRM to secure its future and
continue its powerful story. Now, SMRM needs you to give and to become involved
in its funding and its future.
The Kairos Of Now
The kairos of now is also a key moment
for SMRM. Our ministry model remains
strong and God-blessed. Our business
model is being developed new and fresh.
We need you as God’s people to become involved in giving at present,
funding for the future, and finding funding for the future.
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, before
the Divine Liturgy begins, the Deacon exclaims to the Priest, "Kairos tou
poiesai to Kyrio" ("It is time [kairos] for the Lord to act");
indicating that the time of the Liturgy is an intersection with Eternity. How is that for putting pressure on the
minister to speak what is Holy!
It is time (kairos)
for the Lord to act.
It is time for the
Lord to act in and through you.
Now SMRM needs you.
Now is the holy moment of making SMRM new and interpreting SMRM
new.
Now the future is here.
Now the chronos and kairos come together for SMRM.
Now is our holy word!
Now!
Get involved Now!
Give Now!
Plan for giving Now!
Develop funding for SMRM
Now!
Smoky Mountain Resort
Ministries
Bill Black
PO Box 114
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
865-607-4076
