Faith, Fear, and the Impala
…Fear of doing things my way, and not God’s way
…..Fear of failure and misdirection
…….Fear of rejection and sometimes even acceptance
……….Fear of being challenged to do more
………….Fear of what is uncertain
…………….Fear of what we can’t figure out on our own
………………..Fear of being anything other than self reliant and functioning off of what we think we know
…………………….Fear of taking a leap, because of what we can’t clearly see
Sometimes God speaks what I am not 100% sure I want to hear all the time. Yesterday was one of those moments. I heard a sermon yesterday lifted from Joshua chapter 3 and one of the illustrations given was that of the Impala – an animal that can high jump as high as 10 feet, and broad jump 36 feet, yet is able to be contained in a zoo that is only 3 ft high. The speaker lead us into wondering with her about this, and mentioned that though an impala has the ability to jump high and fast, it will only jump if it can see where its feet will land. I suppose focus is a good thing – knowing where we are headed, and what we’re aiming for – this is especially true in children’s ministry. And could it also be true that sometimes God calls us to jump into some of what is unknown.
Could this be where I am at this moment in ministry? Might this be where others are in ministry or in life in general – having the ability to go further, and do much more, but allowing fear of the unknown to sometimes grip us and prevent us from doing all that God has uniquely gifted us to do – in children’s ministry or otherwise.
How many more kids can you really reach? How many more leaders can you really develop? How much more can God really do through you if only we were willing to take the next jump, even though we may not be certain of where our feet will land.
Kidology Leadership Lab
The 3rd installment of the Kidology Leadership Lab is now available from Kidology, Inc. Great training, at a great price to produce great Children’s Ministry leaders! Check out Kid-Focused Ministry today!!
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.
Kidology Handbook – Get It TODAY!
You need this Handbook! If you are involved in Children’s Ministry in any way – pastor, director, volunteer, whatever! Pick up your copy today at http://www.kidology.org/. This full color, updated and expanded edition also includes a 143 page pdf for personal self study as well as an audio version for you to listen to on your ipod, while driving in the car, or some other time consuming activity. You need the book! Your team needs the book, so what are you waiting on – get the book! You won’t regret it!
Saying Good-bye, Walking By Faith
Well, Sunday was an interesting day, and Sundays usually are for me, just as it probably is for other Children’s Pastors. As I am preparing to make a needed, Holy Spirit lead exit out of my current place of ministry for lots of very significant reasons:
….. Needing a place where I not only serve, but also receive what I need spiritually
……….Needing a leader who will lead courageously and support me as I serve
……………Needing to grow a children’s ministry rather than simply maintain it (progress, relevance and innovation matter a lot to me)
……………….. Needing a place to serve where I am allowed to be uniquely who God made me to be and lead by my strengths
……………………….Needing to serve in a ministry that authentically values children
…………………………….. Needing to be in the center of God’s will for me – this is the most important thing!
I announced to a group of kids yesterday that I would be leaving, and there was some disbelief. For starters we deviated from the normal curriculum and chose a theme that would lead us into the discussion of my leaving. The message “Go When God Says Go” drawn out of Genesis 12, God’s call to Abraham, was used by God as a springboard to help me share my plans with them.
As I shared I received responses like “are you serious?” “Are you really leaving?” “Your serious?” “Are you lying?” “Who’s going to be in charge now?” “Let’s put a kid/_________ in charge? “Do you have to leave?” Hearing the questions and talking to them about leaving was absolutely difficult, for no other reason than the fact that I love them and care about them.
But I love what God accomplished through this, i.e. He gave the kids an opportunity to hear a practical, real life example of someone they know who is living out the Biblical concepts of faith, and obedience to God even though all of the details are not always clear.
God more than likely accomplished more than I am aware of at this moment, but doesn’t He always. Saturday night was difficult because I was filled with anxiety about sharing with the kids, but God filled me with strength, and with His peace, and I will trust Him to continue to fortify me as I move forward in obedience to His leading and call for me.
In addition, God has taught me many things in this, one of the things He’s taught me is that one can have all of the right gifts for a specific ministry calling, but if we try to use them in the wrong place, it renders us ineffective and leads to frustration. Right gifts+wrong place=ineffective.
I will miss the kids and the adults that I have built significant relationships with, and as I shared with the kids yesterday, sometimes it’s scary leaving who and what you know to follow God to another place, but faith+obedience=God’s pleasure and delight!
Children’s Ministry Podcast!
I stumbled upon a children’s ministry podcast today, and it’s well worth listening to.
http://www.cmmonthly.com/
Podcasts are produced monthly. So far the topics covered are: Discipline, and Releasing Volunteers Into Ministry
Toybox Tales: Children’s Pastors Edition
Rated CPO (Children’s Pastors Only)
Karl Bastian, the Kidologist and creator of Toybox Tales for kids has created a Toybox Tale exclusive for Children’s Ministry Leaders.
Balance
Craig Jutila, former Children’s Pastor of Saddleback Church shares his heart on leadership and his jorney to a more balanced ministry life. View the video for a limited time only. http://empoweringkids.net/downloads/Houston_320×240.mov
The insight he shares are worth taking to heart now – before hitting the bottom 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
Just Do It
We all want to do “it” – whatever the it may be. I long to be productive in ministry, to produce that which will last and significantly bless other – that’s my “it”. What stops me? What stops others? Could it be that we wait, and wait, and wait. And then wonder and wonder and wonder? We know we should do “it” and that God is inspiring “it” but too often the “it” gets pushed aside because of the “but this, and but that.”I wonder what God would do if we decided to just do the “it” God is calling us to and watch to see what God does with “it.” One thing I know about God is that His desire is to see us be productive and sometimes that means pushing past the stuff that holds us back and trusting Him to help us do what He’s calling us to.
“You did not choose me, I chose you and ordained you to bear much fruit, fruit that will last.” (John 15:6)
Jump In!!
“You can do it, just jump in.” These words penetrated my heart as I watched the DVD of “Jump In” – the story of some teenagers who decided to follow their dreams, to do what was in their hearts despite ridicule and unconventionality. As the movie began I wasn’t real sure it would be a movie I would watch to the end, but as I watched, I was moved to tears as God impressed upon my heart His call for me to do the very same thing as it relates to the next phase of my ministry – “jump in.” And not only jump in, but be in it to win it and with Jesus, victory is certain!
As the movie continued and Izzy disappointed the team by deciding not to show up for the competition because of his inability to choose between following the dreams of his dad and the dreams of his own heart, I was moved once again as a team member cut him from the team because of his failure to embrace what was important and make good on his commitment.
And the question I have to ask myself and I believe the question all Children’s Pastors have to ask – especially on tough days is are we in it to win it? Or are we going to allow the pressures, humiliation, obstacles, and misunderstandings of others cause us to quit? Ministry is about call, but it is also about choice and commitment.
The words of Hebrews 12:1 should encourage us to continue and never quit.
“We have around us many people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)
