Are you ready for another gut-honest glimpse into my heart & life? … Hmmm, I’m not sure I am either! But, here it goes!
1] I get calls, letters, emails and facebook messages EVERY week from missionaries seeking financial support. Oh man, I wish I could give them ALL money – I really do! And, when I tell them that I’m a missionary too (I really am), they don’t always seem to understand or believe me. Yes, I have a USA address but our work is totally missions — we must raise support monthly just to keep going! Yet, we still support missionaries and other church plants. Would you like to support us??
2] My wife is my hero and my family is my sanity.
3] “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” Proverbs 13:20 … wow, is this verse ever becoming true to me.
4] One of the biggest differences between youth ministry and adult ministry is the “buy-in”… when you win a teenager, they give their everything: dedication, loyalty, passion, time and joy. You experience growth and strength when this takes place. Adults tend to be cautious & guarded with their commitment. Of course they have more responsibilities and distractions but they also adapt into consumers. The church should be happy when they’re there but not bug them when they’re not. Rather than rolling up sleeves and making it the best, they often just move about finding what they’re looking for at the time. This doesn’t apply to ALL. But, certainly must be considered in how we lead.
5] About this time of the winter, I begin to long for Siesta Key (our family vacation spot). The sun, sand and surf would feel SO wonderful right now! I think I’ll pause right here and day dream… (10 minutes have elapsed) Ok, that will hold me over for now!
6] The ministry that you are SUPER passionate about is GREAT! But, it’s NOT the only way to do it or ONLY thing that needs to be done. Just because God has you doing something that you’re totally committed to; doesn’t mean He can’t have someone else (another church/ministry) totally excited about something else. Stay on point with what you’re doing & refuse to be offended IF others don’t applaud.
7] Last week I spent time talking & praying with three key people: a mentor, a co-laborer and a young leader. I drove over 8 hours, spent money and opened up my life to others. These encounters were WAY overdue and I’m committed to doing this more & more. I need ALL 3 in my life! WE ALL DO!
*Even the Apostle Paul had these three relationships in: Barnabas, Silas and Timothy (and others). We also have to understand that it takes both people in each of these relationships in order for it to work. I recently had a relationship that no longer was meaningful or helpful to the other person and they needed to go another direction. Ouch? Yes. But, ultimately I must move forward with healthy, mutually beneficial relationships. I’m doing that!
8] One last quote: When FEAR prays, it becomes COURAGE!
*Thanks for reading! IF you want to comment on one (or more points), please refer to it by number! Looking forward to the conversation!
4 – being immersed in young people’s (high school and college) ministry forever, it’s awesome to meet/see/talk with an older person who is serving in the church who isn’t in full-time ministry. What a blessing they can be to the church with the life they have lived, the things God has brought them to and brought them through. Over the last few months, I’ve been blessed to meet many such older people. But also what a great example to the young people, that Jesus is worth following your whole life, not just in their youth or for a fleeting time. Just some thoughts on your thought… Also, I mean no offense by the term “older people” ha!
Well, sometimes we “older people” turn out to be more relevant than expected! ;)
#6 Speaks perspective to me. Not only do we need to keep in perspective the ministry we are working with, but we must also be aware of other ministries around us. It is one thing to be focused, it is quite another to be so into what you are doing that you forget or undermine the other people working God’s Great Commission in your city or neighborhood. Remember we are all in this together!!
#8 Simplicity in truth! It is so easy to be afraid or discouraged. Prayer breaks those strongholds and if done right- can move us closer to God.
Great stuff! Please keep throwing it our way!!
Rob, right man! Sometimes I’m contacted about another pastor’s vision and simply think, “yeah, that’s cool, but it’s not where we sense God leading us” – I’m left to feel like I’m missing God’s will or that I don’t get it! And, ultimately, maybe I don’t (because it’s not God’s will for me/us)…
1. Love what you are doing as an Urban Missionary and love that as a Missionary you support Missions. I just had a church plant pick me up as their first Missionary. Humbling and awesome at the same time. As Missionaries on the foreign field my wife and I have the privilege of supporting both missions abroad and in the US. God bless.
Missions MUST be the heart of what we think and how we live! We reap what we sow!
Amen.
Missionaries like you guys–and those serving in lands far away–both inspire me. Ministry heroes. Your lives bring me perspective. I once had a retired missionary whose pension was $225/month give me $100 toward a trip I was taking to build a Bible College. I tried to decline her money. Her 80+ year old hands cupped mine and she wept for the lost in the world, insisting that I take almost half her monthly income. I was so humbled. Lois Lemm planted two churches in Michigan as a single woman before spending the rest of her life in West Africa in the leper colonies. She lived a long and fulfilling life. And her earthly investments must really be shining in a place that really matters. I miss her. But I’m so thankful to have known her.
I pray all who know you respect all that you do in the here and now. And invest in you.
Yes, for years we have received a monthly check from Stanley Horton (a 90+ year old retired theologian) who simply wanted to be a part of what we’re doing in Detroit. His handwritten checks bring tears to my eyes every time!
8 – “When fear prays, it becomes courage.”
Love it!
That should be a downloadable iChilly | Courage Church wallpaper!
AjR — you make the wallpaper & I’ll add the download box!
Might just do that!
2. Your wife is my hero too, but even better than that, she’s my friend!!
1. I feel ya here. I hate to say, “No”, “We can’t at this time.” Or. I wish we could. I would love to say yes every time. But the reality is that prayerful consideration of every request in light of limited resources is a must.
2. Glad you have those priorities.
4. Tried a gimmick to get people to buy-in to missions. I let the church dye my hair pink for exceeding a goal for missions in December. The goal was exceeded, More missionaries were funded, but at the heart, I fear that the motivation was extrinsic (my hair) rather than intrinsic (from the heart for that which is close to God’s heart). Some good stuff happening but the buy-in isn’t where I would like to see it in regard to motivation and faithfulness.
7. Pauls’ have a plethora of opportunities. Silas’ often think they are Pauls’. Timothy’s often feel more tolerated than valued and are often forced to take whatever mentoring they can get, which may or may not be helpful and may or may not be especially effective.
I like your post of the mentor article. Being mentored by someone just a bit ahead of you is great as he/she will still have the feel for where you are and will still be able to tweak their own situations from what they learn in reverse.
Blessings Bro!
Like your insight to #7 … the human element really messes up God’s plan for discipleship & friendship! Gotta get better in this!