It's Been Awhile...

It's been awhile since I've posted anything. There is a few reasons for this. First, I have re-entered the world of juggling a ministry, a job, and an education. I haven't taken the time to focus on blogging.

Secondly, and probably more importantly, this year I have transitioned into the role of a children's minister at a church plant, and not just any church plant, but a house church! This year has been a time of experimenting and reevaluating how to do ministry. I haven't had the experience in this new ministry to jump into the blogging world with both feet.

Here are some of the lesson's I've learned:

1. You better take every opportunity to share the gospel, because we have a lot of visitors, not a lot of people who stay and become involved. (Those who do stay have really grown in their faith, however!)

2. House church ministry doesn't look anything like "traditional church" ministry. I'm dreaming of the day when we expand into enough churches that I can justify a "children's ministry house." Until that happens, we are a motley crew of each age group together in one room. We have to be as quiet as possible because we share a wall with the "service."

3. Flexibility is key. One week we may have 20 people in the house, the next week we may have 8 (and my pastor's family is 4!).

4. Outreach events take so much more planning! Location, location, location! We have a massive yard for events, but its in a neighborhood where people don't come out and mingle much. I'm still trying to figure out where to have those big events.


As a side note, a few weeks ago, I was visiting my cousin who lives near the beach. Her daughter liked going and standing in the ocean while I was holding her. At one point I put her down a little too soon and she was knocked over by a wave. She panicked, yelled for mommy, and then 10 minutes later asked for us to go back in the water. What an example of faith like a child! She was scared, but after a few minutes, she was willing to go back in the water. Although it looked like I had failed her, she trusted me to pick her up and take care of her. Shouldn't we trust Christ in the same way? Sometimes He seems distant, but we need to trust him to carry us where we need to go.