From the Naval War College Review Autumn 1987 Issue in reference to routines for a new aircraft on an aircraft carrier:

There were no books on the integration of this new "hardware" into existing routines and no other place to practice it but at sea; it was all learned on the job. Moreover, little of the process was written down, so that the ship in operation is the only reliable "manual."

This past Sunday, Pastor Don used the analogy of an aircraft carrier to describe the transition that we need to make as a church.  As the Captain of the ship, Don receives his mission from the Commander in Chief (God).  As people of the church, if we're on the aircraft carrier, we have a job to perform -- each of us have our spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:4-7) and as members of the family of God, we each have responsibilities to use those gifts (Romans 12:1-8).

And, the best place to practice is "at sea" -- in the church, in our community.

God has told us as stewards, we are required to be faithful.  As crew, let's accept the challenge of our mission.

Live LOUD!