I've just had a day of salutory reminders that I haven't moved here to have an easy time.
How do pastors cope when they come out of a meeting and are reminded of all the things that need to change? When the stuff that is wrong is categorised (in neat lists) for you? When you know change needs to happen but you have to wait because:
(a) you can't do it all yourself and anyway you'd burn out if you did
(b)everyone would run away from you if you did what you REALLY wanted to do? (think total dismantling and start again)
(c) you are waiting patiently for the right people to be revealed to you; where are your vision carriers and runners?
I *do* have fairly wide experience of (c) happening. Over the past years, I have needed to build a strong, strong 8s to 11s team, with as many guys as gals leading, and it fell into place. Then I needed an under 3s leader and that too, happened. I needed to see an Additional Support Needs team build up, and that came about fairly easily. I wanted to see an effective midweek club run, and that happened under an awesome leader. Each year I needed 30-40 people for holiday club and for summer cover teams - ya de ya de ya....it all happened. Pretty effortlessly, probably because I was known and knew people in return, it was easy to be a team together.
And now I am in the position of greatest human impotence that I have ever known. I don't know people well yet.
I'm coming back to the Exodus 33 passage again (posted about here)....put most simply ....what can I do here or anywhere without God's presence being with me? I'm not satisfied with just getting by. I don't do half hearted or mediocre and pretence has never really suited me. I need the raw, tangible presence of God leading me and directing me.
We sang the song "Facedown" at church last night. I have no other choice than to go face down, which I did, near the exit (oh dear, a trip hazard) because I need him so much.
Praying for you. =)
ReplyDeletethanks amie. How's the new role at your church working out?
ReplyDelete"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
ReplyDeleteI have read your post and am making Colossians 4:1-4 (above) a basis for prayer today.
oh thank you THM.
ReplyDeleteSomeone read that verse to me last night at 10pm....you're on the button, my friend :)
You're welcome. The new children's worker is keeping a low profile at the moment - I suspect she's sussing out what needs work and how to work it out! Very excited about it though. I started at ICC this week. Much excitement. I'm looking forward to Vicki's classes a lot!
ReplyDeleteFacedown is the only way to do it! Remember all the times God has brought the right people in answer to those heartfelt cries. Do it again Lord!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's because you don't do half-hearted that the people you have mentored are still grafting away after you have gone onwards & upwards. I know that your passion will ignite the same in your new "shipmates" & then the right people will be revealed.
In the meantime, we're praying 4 u.
lots of love,
J & V :)
You're right - relationships are so important and help to bring things together. Mx
ReplyDeleteI am very touched by your comments.thanks, all!
ReplyDelete(Incidentally and somewhat unconnectedly, I got my first air kiss last week. Didn't know *how* to do it properly without accidentally snogging the young person)