My daughters love the book series “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney. If you have never read the books, they are all about a kid starting out in junior high. He experiences all sorts of fun, pitfalls, awkward situations, struggles, embarrassing moments, and new people. Honestly, the books are a hoot! We have had quite a few good laughs over them. I also love, love, love the fun illustrations found through out the books. Nice book review; but what does that have to do with planting a church (Christian-ease for starting a new church)????? 
Since we are in the very beginning stages of church planting, I find that I feel just like a wimpy junior higher. Do you remember those days? My daughter just started junior high last fall. She is no wimp though. She is doing great. She has all A’s, Vice President of her class, and has many friends. I did okay as a junior higher; but, I remember being very nervous about changing classes, the fresh crop of zits on my face, and if people would like me. Everything was different and I was facing all sorts of new life situations. I was no longer in elementary, no more snacks, loving teachers, and same old same old routine.
When God called us to be church planters a few years ago, I immediately was freaked out. We had been doing youth ministry for so long that I was comfortable. I know how to do youth ministry well enough to do it with my eyes closed. I know how much pizza to order for 30 kids. I know that the junior high boys are the reason for the stink in the youth room. I even like know how to effectively communicate a lesson with like 10 junior high girls while they are like texting to each other. I have talked to so many broken hearts that I can repeat, “God has a perfect person for you, just you wait!” while standing on my head. I have even lived through some all- nighters to tell about it! BUT, I do not know how to start a new church….YIKES!
I feel wimpy because of what I do not know. I know I have skills that Christ has given me. I know I have gifts and talents to do the ministry. We are heading into new territory, new ministry and a new life in a new city. At times I feel overwhelmed at the magnitude of this new adventure; because I do not know how all the things Christ has equipped me with are going to fit in the “bigger picture” of things. I do not know how everything is going to turn out. Everything seems so unpredictable and so unknown. What I do know is I feel like a 12 year old kid starting their first day of school in junior high.
But, I think God has me right where He wants me. I could know all the statistics, all the graphs, and all the bell curves for church planting. I could read all the books, blogs, and attend all the seminars and be really successful. While all those things are good and even necessary, if I do not realize that it is God who does the work then I AM nothing more than a wimpy church planter. I am reminded of one of the verses of the greatest church planter of all time, the Apostle Paul
2 Corinthians 12
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
It is in my weakness Christ makes me strong. It is in my wimpiness (Christina-ism) that God can do anything with me. When I realize that I am just an empty vessel to be used by him then He can do something with me. If I just step out of the way then I can watch Christ build His church. Huh! Why did I not think of that before? It is not about me, it is all about Christ. I just need to be obedient.
I just finished reading the story of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus. I can relate to how Moses must have felt when God asked him to go before Pharaoh and ask him to release the Israelites from slavery. It must have seemed too big of a task to Moses; because we read about Moses giving his excuses of why God should not use him. But, Moses in his wimpiness is still obedient to the great I AM and a whole nation is brought into the promise land. What amazing things can God do when I am obedient?
I can not wait to find out!!!!! Maybe just maybe, I will get to see a whole city follow Christ!
Philippians 4:13
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
And in His strength I will…
GET JOY!
God is faithful, Christina! Just take it one step at a time, and let Him lead. He chose you and John because you are the right ones for the job. He'll equip with you with all you need.
ReplyDeleteLove ya!
I'm currently involved in my second church plant where I'm heading up children's ministry! It can be really scary and nerve wracking, but my senior pastor (who is launching us into the new church) once told me that if your vision from God can be done without God's intervention and help, it's not a vision from God. Another pastor once told me if the vision you have for a ministry doesn't scare you, you're not dreaming big enough. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for you!
Thanks Deanna!
DeleteThat is so funny! I just read that passage a few days ago and was asked that same day to speak to a group of women. I thought these same thoughts! I am praying for you guys as you are facing all of these changes. Love you! Tawnya
ReplyDeleteThank you cousin!
Deletelol!!! love your drawings... do some for me!!! :) you are going to do amazing because God is going to work through you and equip you perfectly for the call on your life. can't wait to see the next drawing of what God does through you!
ReplyDelete