What I'm learning lately

Since my last post a whole lot of time has gone by and a lot more lessons have been learned. Being a young pastor comes with unique challenges and obstacles but it is worth it in so many ways. Like when I get to see things finally begin to click for people in the context of our Bible Fellowship ministry or when I see a dad who has been battling to get his family back finally start to gain headway. These are the moments and situations that make the headache of my youth and stupidity worth it. I am so thankful for a beautiful bride who challenges me to remember the moments God has used us in more than the moments where I am left wondering why things are not working better. Between Cassie and our elders God has placed multitudes of people around me that are a constant encouragement and reminder that I have a calling placed upon my life that I must trust and lean into. Below are several lessons I feel like God has been sharing with me that I would like to pass on to whoever is listening or reading this.

1. I need to do more of this.....I was having a conversation yesterday with one of the bright young guys God has blessed Revive with the past few months and we were talking about long range planning and communication efforts within our church. As we began to talk and discuss about the idea of an "active" blog that we could launch into our website he pointed out to me the benefit of creating an atmosphere of online community that currently we do not have in our church where open dialogue can happen more freely. I am excited about what is ahead and what God is getting ready to do in our local context.

2. Community really matters ... This sounds obvious and I think we all know it. But how intentional am I about leading our church in exercising  healthy community has been one matter I have been challenged on greatly. Churches with good community and people with good relationships don't just get those by osmosis I am convinced. I believe there is a level of work and diligence that must be cultivated into the DNA to make good community.

3. My timing isn't the timing.....It's been a busy season of life for me with moving, church projects, events etc. and I have a bad habit of going from 0mph to 90mph in 2.2 sec. I don't like waiting and I always think my timing is the timing. God's been faithful to show me that some of my youthful exuberance is just plain folly.

4. Death will always suck..... Funerals are the worst part of the job. A pastor who says he enjoys funerals I think needs to do some spiritual examination. I understand if the deceased is a believer we can rejoice that they are in heaven and that death is a "gain" in Paul's words. But death is still painful and it was never God's original design.

5. There are seasons.....Growing up in the beauty of the midwest in Columbia Missouri I can really appreciate the 4 seasons God blessed us with. I love each season in a unique way. Whether it's the crisp of fall and the leaves crunching, deer hunting mornings and football afternoons or the gobble on a cool spring morning each season is awesome. And I am learning that in life there are seasons too. Seasons of struggle. Seasons of triumph. And just seasons. I think its critical for me to trust that seasons come and seasons go.

6. Emails are good but breaking bread is better.... Figuring out how to communicate effectively has been my biggest learning curve right now. Understanding that vision can't be cast in a paragraph and sent through a server is something I wish I could have learned sooner. Vision takes time, and continued work to get it into the marrow of those I'm leading.

7. God's provision is overwhelming... Recently God allowed Cassie and I to sell our first home and move into the mission field he has called us into. As that process has taken place we have seen in a dynamic way that God's provision is extravagant. I'm so thankful for what He has given and I constantly try to remind myself I am a steward not an owner.