I was feeling a little nostalgic today and found myself watching an old rerun of “Little House On The Prairie.” I used to like the show as a child, but frankly, it has not interested me at all since then, until recently. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and sometimes just wish life was simpler like it was back then. But I think that it has more to do with where my life is at during these days.
As I mentioned near the end of my first blog, life has brought many changes in my life recently, with many more on the way. It has been a time of packing up the old life with its plans and moving to new uncharted territory. I was sent out by a church to plant another church 9 years ago. My wife and I poured our whole heart into birthing and growing the church these past number of years. But in December, God began to move on our hearts that our time of pastoring the church had come to a close and it was time to move on into the new chapter He had set before us.
So, in February of this year, I resigned as senior pastor of the church, not fully sure of the new direction the Lord was leading in (though I did have a vague idea). At that point, my family and I joined forces with our sister church 11 miles up the road, as I was appointed there as an assisting minister, under the pastoral leadership of David Grasso (a man whom I greatly respect and admire, by the way — not to mention the rest of his family, ALL of whom are equally awesome!). As we started attending LIFE Fellowship in Charlestown NH, we knew it was to be a “sabbath rest” for us initially as God transitioned, healed, and refreshed us. That sabbath rest lasted for exactly 6 months until mid-August.
I am now fully engaged in the ministry there, and loving every minute of it. I have been involved in the Men’s Ministry, leading worship, greeting, preaching, and even some administrative duties (scary, I know). But yet, there is still a sense that there is something more to my call. Though not fully sure of what it all entails, I do know it will be a teaching and training ministry that, at least to some extent, crosses denominational barriers. I am still searching out to what extent it will be a conventional Christian teaching and training and to what extent it may be internet based, or some combination of the two. It may require partnering with other ministries that are already in existence that are already fulfilling these same functions. I am just trying hard not to get ahead of God and making sure that whatever direction this new ministry endeavor takes, It is God’s direction.
There may be much in my life that is still unknown, much like there was for early settlers, but my God is in control. I am just psyched that He chooses to use everyday vessels like me! In the words of an ’80′s song by First Call: “I may not know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Blazing new trails is very difficult and trying, but nothing is more rewarding. Especially when you can look back and see God’s handiwork through it all. One thing I can guarantee you, you can keep doing what you’ve always done even when God calls you to something else… but you will no longer be fulfilled until you begin to step into the newness God has for you. After all, it is partially for that newness that you were created. Dare to step out!
Well, I need to get back to finalizing the details on a Ministry Fairat church that takes place Saturday. Until next week’s blog, God bless you.
