Tears…

I’ve never been one to cry often, but sitting here moments ago eating ice cream – a much deserved treat after a weekend FILLED with ministry and suddenly it happened. I burst into tears. Not tears of sadness, not tears of pain or confusion, but tears of sheer gratitude! Sitting hear weeping with no ability to control or contain this burst of emotion all I could do was say “God, thank you, thank you so, so much!”

I wept because after years of struggle and disappointment with the church, after years of hooking up with wrong leaders, and places where there was no real freedom to be uniquely who God has called me to be, and being part of churches that talked a lot of stuff but didn’t walk it out, God has NOW placed me in a local church that I never could have dreamed of, never could believe existed, a church:
1.Where leaders are people not on pedestals, but people with issues and bold enough to admit it
2. Where Christ is central not just in word and church dogma, but in all that we do in ministry
3. Where we succeed and fail, and rejoice with one another as well as pick each other up when we fail
4.Where it is perfectly ok to be who you are (ethnically, socially, emotionally, etc)
5. Where there is no pressure to fit into any type of mold
6. Where actions follow words in regard to racial harmony
7. Where the blend historic and contemporary are encouraged and accepted
8. Where I have a pastor who’s heart and vision resonates with me
9. Where we are intentionally pursuing a multi-cultural worship experience
10. Where none of us are perfect, yet we are commited to moving forward
11. Where risk are taken and expected

Not long ago I was driving home from a class I was teaching and on the way home I took a detour and got lost. I drove for what felt like an eternity but it was approximately an hour and 30 minutes heading in the wrong direction. Finally I was able to figure things out and once I got on the right road heading in the right direction, I was stuck in a huge amount of traffic, but at that poing it didn’t matter, because at least I was on the right road and would eventually arrive at my destination. It caused me to reflect on my new church. There are so many inperfections and even some things that may frustrate me, but AT LEAST I AM ON THE RIGHT ROAD, HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION! God is amazing in my life and minsitry. And though I am there to lead children’s ministry, that’s not all that I am there for – I am there to worship, I am there to grow, I am there to be challenged, I am there to allow God to teach me and take me to deeper levels of leadership, I am there to influence and be influenced… – and I guess all of this is the source of the flood of tears I just experienced! What an amazing God MY GOD is!!!!!!

Reflections on the Pastoral Call

This time change thing doesn’t actually work for me. I normally wake up around 6am whether I have to or not – no alarm clock, just eyes open, so the clocks going back an hour causes me to wake up way too early. This morning I woke up at an outrageous hour – around 2am I think, and of course I could not go back to sleep no matter how hard I tried.

While I lay down trying to go back to sleep I thought I would do something productive with me time, so I justs started praying, and I wasn’t the only one with something to say, God had some things He too wanted to impress upon my heart as I consider my next ministry position in a local church.

Last weekend as I considered this next phase of my ministry, I began thinking more deeply about my role as a pastor – what does it really mean? Is it just a title? Is it…?

As I picked up a catalog for a christian book store – a catalog that I had looked at before by the way, God quickly defined the role for me. On the front cover of the catalog was a verse from Ephesians – “Prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12).

I know, a no brainer right? I have read the verse before. I have probably quoted the verse before. But never has it resonated with my heart as much as it did last weekend and as I woke up this morning.

As I move into this next phase of ministry in my role as a Children’s Pastor, this verse will be kept central in my heart and ministry practice. I love children, I love preaching and teaching God’s word to them, I love giving them a different view of church - one filled with excitement and enthusiastic worship. And a significant aspect of my call to a pastoral ministry to children is that of equipping others to impact children’s lives with the Gospel, and ALSO preparing kids for ministry as members of the body of Christ – one thing they do NOT have to wait to grow up to do is be used by God in ministry. Many of the people I know don’t fully embrace this fact, but for me it’s a settled isssue. Contrary to the opinion of some, it goes so much deeper than hanging out and having a fun blast with kids – it’s fun with a deep purpose – to introduce kids and others to Jesus, help them grow in that relationship and then prepare them to serve the Savior they’ve embraced!

So I will follow Biblical instruction and “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” With His help I will prepare not only God’s people who are adults, but also God’s people who are children – Children’s Pastor Randy Christensen refers to them as “the younger saints.”

What an awesome call. I have some fears, but God is greater than those, so because of His call and promise to be with me as I lead, I embrace the challenge in the new place of ministry He is calling me to – a church that is multi-ethnic and intentional about being and maintaining this focus. A church that is passionate about Jesus, enthusiastic in corporate worship, aiming to grow as a ministry rather than simply maintain the ministry. New Community  is all of these things and more and I am excited about growing in my personal walk with God and in my role as a leader with them. Only God could have done it like He did it, and I celebrate His call on my life and His choice to use me – I stand in awe of Him!

Still on Sabbatical!

Still on sabbatical from Children’s Ministry, so I headed to Shedd Aquarium yesterday with a plan to stay for a couple of hours – well four hours later I was STILL there. I even had a chance to watch Spongebob Squarepants in “4-D!” I got much more than I expected, top notch sound effects, the smell of pickles as Spongebob made krabby patty, real splashes of water (which I could have lived without), seat motions and air effects! WOW! I was thrilled! Oh to make kids church such a memorable experience – to help kids feel like they are “there” as I teach the Bible to them! I believe we can teach the Bible to kids in a way that causes them to “re-live” it and leave lasting God impressions on their lives – to teach kids in a way that causes them to never forget what they’ve heard and experienced…
Anyway, as I walked around the Aquarium (indoors and outdoors) I think I discovered what’s missing for me as I do ministry. I need to learn how to walk away from it regularly, i.e. let a day off really be a day off, explore the city, get outdoors (although Chicago in the Winter is a little crazy, so I might have to find an alternative plan), enjoy time alone – just relax so that I have the strength needed to jump back into ministry when it’s time.

 

I am sure I am not alone in this though, there are other Children’s Pastors who struggle in the area of balance as well. As of yesterday I have commited to keep working on this area, more than likely it will help me to be even more effective in ministry. Taking time to “re-create” is something we all need to do – especially those of us involved in ministry.
 

Why?

“Why?” Could it be that the question we hate to hear 2 and 3 year old children ask (why?), and the question that many churches also hate to be asked (why?), is really the question that desperately needs to be asked? http://jimwideman.com/blog/?p=66 

Kindness

When is the last time you did something nice for someone just because? I was on my way into the office this morning and before going in I stopped at Starbucks. I knew what I wanted before I got out of the car – a multigrain bagel, toasted with butter and a tall hot chocolate. I walked in an stood in the line that was almost out the door determined to get what I desired. As I approached the front of the line and placed my order, I took money out of my pocket to pay for my order and to my surprise, the woman at the register said “Chuck has it.” As a result the total cost from my pocket of resources was 0.00 – Someone from my church had snuck into the line to give the woman at the register his starbucks card, and told her to cover the cost of my order with his card.

I was surprised by it and what a smile it placed on my face – turning my day into a much brighter day. Was it about the free hot chocolate and bagel? Of course not. What caused the smile was the thought behind the act of kindness.

I wonder what would happen if we paused from our busy schedules long enough to do something nice for someone else. You just never know how much it will make someone’s day go so much better. I was not the same when I finally arrived at my desk. I went into my work day with a brighter outlook…

Happy 1st Anniversary (!)

Well, today (July 10th) is (or was) the day – my official 1st year anniversary of ministry at the church where I currently serve. I am not sure how I feel about things though??? One would think I would feel a sense of joy and enthusiasm or at least throw some sort of party. On the contrary, I don’t feel celebratory, rather my mind and spirit are filled with questions, concerns, and an intense need for clear direction from God regarding ministry and His plans for me.

I find myself in a place of uncertainty. A place of longing for more of what God has for me and to fulfill His purpose for my life. Is it meant to happen in the ministry where I have served over the last year? Or is it impossible for it to happen in this environment? I think I know the answers to those questions and I dare not share them here. But based on the answers I have, what does God want me to do?

I am weary – oh so weary! I sleep, but I am still weary. I work, but spin wheels and as a result find myself completely exhausted. Something has to change – and my desire is that it would change soon. In the meantime, the words of Isaiah 40:28-31 give me hope.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)