The story unfolds…
why I do what I do
At the convention, people can sign up for an hour with a consultant. Those who sign up on the sheet of paper titled “Mark Riddle” spend that hour with me. This afternoon I sat down with a married couple let’s call them John and Jane. They told me they are volunteer youth pastors. Which means I’m awe of them. They begin telling me their story.
They have a youth worker. She needs a break because her husband was injured and had severe head trama. She’s teaching high school, but her hearts not in it. She loves the kids. But she’s suffering from depression.
They are a part of an 8 yr old church plant.
The story unfolds.
She was enlisted into the youth ministry from John and Janes adult small group. Which is struggling. Marraiges are hurting, the community is dealing with “sin issues”.
the story unfolds.
The senior pastor just return this past Sunday from chemo and radiation treatments. He has cancer. Several people left the church when he left for treatment. John is the chairman of the leadership board of the church. He’s not only the leader of the youth ministry, he’s the leader of the church! There are questions about how the senior minister will respond the next phase of treatment.
the story unfolds.
Other topics we dealt with were curriculum for ministering and discipling adult women, pornography and it’s use amoung leaders in their church and how the church is responding.
the story unfolds.
God is at work. I love this story. John and Jane inspire me. Leading the church, leading the youth ministry, dealing with difficult issues head on, hold communities together even when it hurts… it’s the story of God redeeming the world. it’s the story of God’s kingdom expanding.
I’ve received criticism for me recent move to full time congregational coaching. “It’s not needed!” or “That’s just what the church needs is a consultant!)[insert sarcasm] But it’s people like John and Jane who compell me to help other people.
I feel like this is what I’m made to do. Serve the church. Love the John and Janes of the world.
Thank God for people like them. It’s holy ground in their presence.
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