The book of Acts portrays Peter as an "effective and successful" witness to the transforming power of God. Yet in Acts 10 while Peter was praying he saw a sheet from heaven and heard a voice inviting him to freedom from cultural norms that narrowed his view of God's activity in the world. Overcoming his initial resistance, he discovered the transforming work of God already at work in the life of a pagan Roman centurion. This experience transformed his ministry and the future of the church.

In many ways, I could be described as an "effective and successful" pastor. However, functioning in a landscape of increasing cultural and religious diversity leaves me longing for time to pray and seek a sheet from heaven - a vision that provides new freedom to discover the transforming activity of God in unexpected places thus renewing my ministry and the ,future ministry of the church.