Today I realized that it has been over a month since I entered anything in my "daily blog". Maybe that OK since it was over 6 months since the previous blog. :)
Maybe you've noticed that I'm a bit overwhelmed in the typical week and it gets difficult to squeeze much more in. Events and Bible studies take time. Planning takes more time. Building new ministries takes even more time. But people take the most time. I spend hours and hours each week on the phone and meeting with people. People take more energy out of me. I enjoy doing tasks more naturally. I can work hard, get something the way I want it, and then have the satisfaction of having completed something.
People, on the other hand, aren't so neat. They require much more time. But, I'm forcing myself out of the engineering mindset. It's more difficult to equip people to serve God, than just complete tasks. But the rewards are greater for everyone when people are the priority. I'm a builder. I like building our production ministry and cool stage setups, our teen ministry, events, our Home Group, Bible studies and lessons, advertisements, webpages, and online systems to organize our ministry teams. But, now I'm trying to build people.
God and I are building James to be a new Home Group leader, worship leader, and teen worship band leader. We're building Jean into a woman of God and essential member of our Home Group. We're building Matthew into a small group leader, youth leader, and a valuable servant in the church. We're building Sam into a man of God and worship musician. We're building Dallas into a church leader, small group leader, and possibly a future youth leader. We're building James and Bryan into men of God who will lead their peers into a relationship with God, set a pace for other Christians, and challenge the pace of our church. Half of these people I mentioned are our teens.
God is also using me to build teams of people. We've built a strong Production Crew which is now being led by leaders developed in that ministry over the last few years. We're building a Programming Team to run weekly functions of the church now that our pastors and staff are building new ministries, leading our Wilmington church plant, and traveling to various engagements. We're building an Advertising & PR team with actual creative people instead of myself and a few others designing fliers at the last minute. We're building a teen worship band and a teen home group. Our teens are organizing alternative weekend activities for their friends who have few options besides high school parties. We're building a successful college and young singles home group that is actually reaching new people, sharing the gospel, and going on mission trips together.
People take a lot more effort, but they are worth it. Plus, it's more fun to hang out with people than with random tasks.
God, today I am thankful for . . .
1. The $200 from supporters and $450 from church members that was donated toward High School Leadership Training
2. Hearing one of our teens pray at a church-wide prayer meeting
3. The first meetings of our teen Home Group being successful
4. For the first time in years my GCM reimbursements are all up to date and paid
God, today I put in your hands . . .
1. The fact that I'm already 15 minutes behind schedule for today
2. The replacement equipment we need from our production van that was stolen 2 weeks ago
3. Me playing guitar at Home Group tonight even though I don't really have much rhythm
4. Me learning to manage all the tasks and people in my life and still be disciplined enough to sleep, exercise, and take care of things around the house . . . and blog
God, today I read this cool verse . . .
Maybe you've noticed that I'm a bit overwhelmed in the typical week and it gets difficult to squeeze much more in. Events and Bible studies take time. Planning takes more time. Building new ministries takes even more time. But people take the most time. I spend hours and hours each week on the phone and meeting with people. People take more energy out of me. I enjoy doing tasks more naturally. I can work hard, get something the way I want it, and then have the satisfaction of having completed something.
People, on the other hand, aren't so neat. They require much more time. But, I'm forcing myself out of the engineering mindset. It's more difficult to equip people to serve God, than just complete tasks. But the rewards are greater for everyone when people are the priority. I'm a builder. I like building our production ministry and cool stage setups, our teen ministry, events, our Home Group, Bible studies and lessons, advertisements, webpages, and online systems to organize our ministry teams. But, now I'm trying to build people.
God and I are building James to be a new Home Group leader, worship leader, and teen worship band leader. We're building Jean into a woman of God and essential member of our Home Group. We're building Matthew into a small group leader, youth leader, and a valuable servant in the church. We're building Sam into a man of God and worship musician. We're building Dallas into a church leader, small group leader, and possibly a future youth leader. We're building James and Bryan into men of God who will lead their peers into a relationship with God, set a pace for other Christians, and challenge the pace of our church. Half of these people I mentioned are our teens.
God is also using me to build teams of people. We've built a strong Production Crew which is now being led by leaders developed in that ministry over the last few years. We're building a Programming Team to run weekly functions of the church now that our pastors and staff are building new ministries, leading our Wilmington church plant, and traveling to various engagements. We're building an Advertising & PR team with actual creative people instead of myself and a few others designing fliers at the last minute. We're building a teen worship band and a teen home group. Our teens are organizing alternative weekend activities for their friends who have few options besides high school parties. We're building a successful college and young singles home group that is actually reaching new people, sharing the gospel, and going on mission trips together.
People take a lot more effort, but they are worth it. Plus, it's more fun to hang out with people than with random tasks.
God, today I am thankful for . . .
1. The $200 from supporters and $450 from church members that was donated toward High School Leadership Training
2. Hearing one of our teens pray at a church-wide prayer meeting
3. The first meetings of our teen Home Group being successful
4. For the first time in years my GCM reimbursements are all up to date and paid
God, today I put in your hands . . .
1. The fact that I'm already 15 minutes behind schedule for today
2. The replacement equipment we need from our production van that was stolen 2 weeks ago
3. Me playing guitar at Home Group tonight even though I don't really have much rhythm
4. Me learning to manage all the tasks and people in my life and still be disciplined enough to sleep, exercise, and take care of things around the house . . . and blog
God, today I read this cool verse . . .
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? -- Romans 2:4
