Five years ago we began Brand New Church with hope and anticipation. My desire was to be a part of work that changed lives, inspired the seeking, fed the hungry and impacted our community. Needless to say, God has blown our minds with greater vision than we could even see. I am learning that this process is a beautiful, living, ever-changing organism. Primarily, in this one area…”People come and people go.” As a Pastor, this can be very difficult. You pray for, walk with, mentor, even baptism them and they still may be “called” to another work. Why? Even Jesus experienced this in ministry. John 6:66 “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” Here is what God showed me through a friend…“The Space Shuttle does not get in space with all that it started with.” As it climbs it continues to drop off time sensitive equipment.
-Trailers
-Launch Pad
-Towers
-Mid-deck and Flight deck platforms
-Propellant Transfer Lines
-External Rocket Boosters
-Fuel
-Auxiliary Electric Systems
-Thrusters
Remember, some are called to get you there, but not orbit with you. Don’t go back, keep rising higher and look for new horizons. This revelation has rocked my world. Let it refresh you.
2 Comments
Derek Simpkins says,
I think this is a great, but often forgotten, art in any ministry. Life teaches us a little about the process, but it seems when you’re talking church, it’s more intense, sensitive, and when those that are “called” leave, more devestating. We all want to have those that have fought in the trenches with us beside us in every battle… but we can’t always have that. Even simple reptiles shed their old skin while they’re growing. Hermit crabs have to find a bigger better shell in order to grow. Most fish will only grow to as big as their container allows – so why should we insist on keeping the same shell, skin, and acquarium knowing that it’s going to slow or prevent our growth? #badidea
on 15 December 2011 / 8:05 AM
Paul says,
Thank You Shannon for sharing this. This Rural Pastor needed to be reminded of this. When people leave it can be very discouraging especially when you feel like your trying to grow a rural church with less than needed resources to begin with. But God has always been faithful and knows what we have need of. Thanks again for sharing…very timely for me.
on 30 December 2011 / 9:57 PM