Serving: No Regrets Mom and Dad

When I was a young'n my parents were die-hard children's ministry volunteers.  They lead the mid-week program, taught in Sunday School and hosted family events before 'family ministry' was even a catch phrase!  I remember my dad going around the church foyer taking chinese food orders on more than one New Year's Eve services. Even my dad knew that New Year's Eve services needed something that was more 'family friendly' than simply singing hymns as the clock struck midnight.  It wasn't always easy being so involved in volunteer ministry as a family of five.  We lived 20 minutes away from the church, and on more than a few occasions my parents found themselves driving out to the church two or three days a week, including twice on a Sunday so we could be in kids choir Sunday nights.  Wow!  When I think about it, it must have been crazy at times!  But my parents loved to serve.  They loved to serve where their kids were involved, and they took pride in being available and willing to serve the Lord in whatever way was most needed.

Lately I've heard a lot in children's ministry circles about making sure we don't ask too much of volunteers and guarding against pulling families to the church several nights a week.  The reason is supposedly for the sake of families, so that people have time at home to simply 'be a family'.  I get it.  I really do.  We need to not abuse people's willingness to serve, at the expense of their families.  However, I also heard a pastor of a very large and successful church say in contrary "Don't police your volunteers".  His view was that we need to teach people to discern for themselves when and how much to be involved and not be the 'Holy Spirit' in people's lives.  God has given different measures of grace and giftedness to individuals and we may very well be quenching talent and passion to serve by setting hard and steadfast limits on involvement.

My parents had no idea when they were dragging my two sisters and I to early set up for Vacation Bible School that they were providing pre-bible college credits to their eldest daughter who would one day be in full-time ministry.  When they stayed late Sunday nights to minister during an altar call they didn't realize that they were teaching their children to rely on the Presence of God not the calendar or the clock to direct their days.  When they brought home crafts to cut and badges to sort, they were showing that service is something you do for the Lord, and not for personal thanks or even jewels in your crown.

My mom and dad weren't perfect volunteers, and I'm sure time has erased most of the frustrations and any stress that was placed on our busy family schedule to make room for serving our local church.  I do know one thing for sure though.  My parents were happiest when they were the most involved in ministering at our family church.  The times they've felt empty and displaced have been during times when their hands were most idle, and their hearts not engaged in doing something to serve the Lord in a way that's connected to God's House.

I vow to live life with no regrets.  When your kids have lived off volunteer pizza and nursery goldfish crackers a few times too much this week...don't sweat it.  You never know what next great leader is being shaped and influenced while in the shadow of you serving the Lord.  We were never neglected for the sake of the ministry, but instead we were blessed to see the joy and sacrifice of serving being fleshed out in our family setting.  That's Family Ministry.  Without serving...it's just another day on the calendar.

The Finished Product from Blown Away Conference Video

Blown Away Conference - Session Video # 2 from Media That Matters on Vimeo.

Second Takes

A couple of weekends ago I experienced what it was like to be a part of a video created for an upcoming children's ministries event http://www.blownawayconference.ca/. My nerves were a little rattled, but quickly put at ease by the pros who helped me learn the ropes of being on camera. They explained that the video would be broken down into short clips with some fancy editing, cool camera angles, and music to make it all flow. I soon appreciated the freedom that came within the boundaries of that setting. If I said something semi-profound it was captured for future use, because the camera was still rolling. If I said something heretical or tripped over my words...no worries, just say it again and better. It's a little freeing for the internal perfectionist in me who sometimes trips up over her own thoughts mid-sentence. It's not often due to a lack of direction that I'm sometimes hesitant in stating my case; rather it's out of an insecurity of being misunderstood or unheard. These haunting notions are occasionally brought on by reminders of harsh reprimands from long ago. Reprimands that came verbally or subliminally for voicing an unpopular opinion or challenging the status quo. Statements that were overlooked or dismissed (dare I even say it now...) because they came from the voice of a soprano. This is the luggage we carry with us on our journey, which can paralyze us mid-stride if we're not careful. I now recognize it as pointless fear. The leftovers of experience rears its head in unsuspecting places, and then cower when the Truth hits it like bright lights next to the camera lens.

After this weekend I find myself absolutely grateful for the way that God sees my life, versus the way I've been interpreting it. I've been seeing every step as a 'get it right on the first try' commitment, rather than the fact the camera just keeps on rolling and so must I. Some days I do something really profound and see the ripple effect for years to come. Other days I make bone-head mistakes and want to wallow in the mud of my own disappointments. But I hear the voice of the Creative Editor saying, "Just re-do it" as He gives opportunity for a second more wiser take on life. Some footage will never make it on the playback reel in heaven, but it was those 'takes' that help the keeper moments rise to the top.

He's a gracious Father in heaven. None of our weaknesses or strengths are hidden from Him. He keeps an account of ALL our days for the bigger picture, and starting over gives Him greater glory in the end.

Why not just start again?

Downstairs or Upstairs...Doesn't Really Matter.

Well, I'm finally on my maternity leave. We had a beautiful baby girl on July 24th, and today was my second Sunday back in church and upstairs with the 'big kids' for worship. Our pastor was speaking about the presence of God, and it got me thinking. Thinking about a certain number of people who feel they can't 'miss out' on what's going on upstairs in worship on a Sunday morning. That is such a great quality to have in a church. A place where people come with expectations that God is going to show up, and that His presence is real and active in our services. Praise God for that! There is no down side to this, only an awareness as a children's pastor that those same people who don't want to 'miss out' unfortunately use this reason on occasion as an excuse for not getting involved in serving in our children's programs. Ouch...could this really be true?


This morning I was able to peak in on our children's ministries department, and it did nothing but put a huge smile on my face. Leaders were interacting with enthusiasm, encouraging children in activities; lovely ladies and young people were sitting on the floor while playing and cuddling with our nursery babies. It was a noisey, energizing beauty to behold. Okay, I'm a cheesey children's pastor...but hear me out. I am absolutely enjoying being upstairs during my maternity break. I remember a time long ago when I longed to be 'upstairs', simply to have a break from the weekly grind of doing children's ministries. But I can say with all honesty that I felt the same welling up in my spirit, a realization of the presence of God, as I peaked into the 'sanctuary' downstairs, as I did being in the dynamic service upstairs with arms raised in worship. The presence of God is alive and well in children's ministries, and it's felt and seen in the diligent service of our volunteers and the growing hearts of our kids. It's shown in the integrity of workers who know that they too are tending the flame of the altar, and stoking the coals being lit by the Spirit in our children.

What a great feeling this morning to know in my heart of hearts that while I can enjoy being upstairs with the grown-ups, I can testify to anyone who would listen that in NO WAY do people 'miss out' on God's presence while serving in church. His presence goes with us, and through us. It truly does consume us, and our call in children's ministries is to help our little ones to be consumed by an awesome God as well.

One of our up and coming junior leaders asked me this morning when am I coming back downstairs again. She had an innocent but loyal longing in her eyes. I wish I could have explained to her better that I have this one precious year to spend on maternity leave and so I won't be downstairs in kidz church until that time is up. I would have said to her with equal loyalty "I wish I was with you guys right now", but I didn't. Instead, I smiled knowing that the presence of God is alive and well in our Lakemount Kidz. Upstairs or downstairs, it really doesn't matter. We are all in His wonderful capable hands.

Never Tire of Doing What is Right

All month long we are learning about PATIENCE in Kidz Church. It is timely in so many ways, especially since May leaves most of us thinking "Is it summer yet?" and "How many more weeks until the next long weekend?" Being 7 months pregnant with only 9 more weeks of work means I need more patience now than ever. Patience with time, and a little patience with myself and the numerous emotions that are raging in my somewhat swollen incubator of a body.

The verse that we referred to yesterday was "Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9. This morning I received an email from a friend of mine who I first met on an oversees missions trip when I was sixteen years old. We kept in touch over the years through letters and phone calls, and now facebook. Last summer her family came to visit us and I saw her for the first time since we were both kids. In her email she quoted a scripture that God had spoken to her through, and thanked me for supporting her over the years. I am so proud of how strong she has become! What made me even more impressed was how long ago the first seed of our friendship was planted, and how God knew we would need each other years later to support and encourage one another when the going gets tough.

We live in a Drive-Thru society, where everything needs to be instant, and answers need to be a Google click away...but that's not the way the Kingdom of God works. He has a master plan that is beautiful, intricate in detail, purposeful, and life-giving. Somehow in the middle of His story, He takes the time to weave our stories through the lives of those around us both near and far. Life isn't simple. The longer I'm around the more I realize that things aren't black and white, and easy to explain or fix. Yet I find peace and assurance that the Author of life sees the table of contents, along with the chapters and verses yet to be written. We just need to have patience, and not give up.

He loves us. One day we will reap our rewards.

The Life Within Me

I'm sitting at my desk and working hard to get all I have to accomplish done for family & children's ministries this week at our church. Meanwhile I have a precious little baby growing inside of me who is making his/her presence known in my body more and more each day! In fact this baby has been kicking me for the past 20 minutes straight, which is making me start to feel hungry and begging me to ask this question to my unborn child: "Yes? May I help you with something?"

Being pregnant and being in ministry is a fun combination. I'm sure other moms will testify that the months prior to a baby being born are both exhausting and exhilirating! I'm currently heading into my third trimester and I'm quite aware of the "nesting" that is happening both at work and at home. Suddenly I can see every crack in the wall of the preschool room at church, and find myself going through paint chips for the church nursery and our new child's room at the same time. At work every flaw in our children's programming feels gigantic, and I have this sometimes overwhelming feeling that I need to re-vamp our entire children's ministry program...just because. Don't get me wrong, I'm very aware that in less than three months I'll be leaving my post in the capable hands of someone else, and will simply have to 'let it go' until I return from my maternity leave. But it's a reminder that having "life" growing inside of you, makes you do EXTREME things.

Last week I realized that there is a part of me that feels invinceable when I'm pregnant. Afterall, if my body is made capable of nurturing, growing and sustaining a whole other life inside of me while I continue to function as a spouse, mother, pastor and friend...what CAN'T I accomplish?! Or so I reason. It's a strange 'I am woman, hear me roar' kind of feeling to say the least, but the life within me makes me feel strong and excited. Although at times I forget that I'm wearing elasticized pants and baggy shirts for a reason, it's when I feel this sudden kick in my abdomin that I'm reminded...oh yeah, someone else is there.

Without trying to be sacreligious, it's the closest physical resemblance to having the Holy Spirit living within me. We know the Holy Spirit abides in the life of a believer who has confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour. However, there are few times that we feel an actual physical kick in our gut to remind us that He is there and present. Yet He is. I'm thankful we have spiritual 'nudges' and sometimes even 'quickenings' in our hearts that tell us that God is trying to get our attention. The longer we have been aware of the Holy Spirit's presence, we begin to recognize how He communicates to us, and we stop mistaking it, in a way similar to first trimester 'butterflies'. But what if we made the effort to continually be aware of the Spirit's life within us? What if we carried within us not just a feeling, but the knowing that the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us? What if we responded to the growing knowledge of His presence in our lives? What could we accomplish then, even though extreme?

I get really busy doing my job which is all for Jesus anyway, and I almost need that physical nudge to remind me to stop doing things in my own strength. We have the greatest resource available to us as believers that brings us life, strength, focus, encouragement, and sometimes simple and pure joy-like the promise of new life coming.

God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit living within me.
Thank you, not only for the new life that is living within me, but the Life that is within me because of your Son Jesus' sacrifice.

Help me to embrace new life today.

The Entrusted Ones

Once in a while I'm reminded in an almost whisper, of the sacred privilege we are given by God to be a part of His purposes. Afterall, we are only mortal clay who have been put on this earth for a short time, with all our flaws and all our inconsistencies. Yet God himself chooses to partner with us, for both His pleasure and our own.

Alright, before I get into the "woe is me" and the "I am but a worm" speech...let me remind all of us of the confidence that comes when we embrace the truth about our identity in Christ. We are mortal clay. But we are mortal clay that God himself by divine design decided to breath life into, and to make us in His image.

From the very beginning God made us to be his entrusted ones. Entrusted with the very plans and purposes of God.

This past week was probably one of the most difficult ones for me as a children's pastor. On Thursday, I lit a candle of hope for an infant from our congregation, with prayers that his miraculous healing would bring him many more days. On the next Monday I spoke words of comfort to that young baby's family at his funeral, realizing his healing had come in a different way. It was in that moment I realized I had been entrusted. Entrusted not only with the good and happy times that my profession so often brings; but entrusted with the tough and difficult moments that sooner or later everyone faces. Sometimes we wonder how we would cope in the middle of a crisis, or in a situation we only hope to never endure. That's when the awesome Creator breathes life into us once again, and we find new strength where there wasn't before.

What has God entrusted you with? What part of the entrusting did you think he didn't consider when he called you to the place you are today? You are his entrusted one. You are strong enough for today. You are exactly who he made you to be, and he stills trusts you. Just lean on him.