Tomorrow is our last day at Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown. My memories here will mostly revolve around diving into our elementary ministry with our amazing Groups Director, Jill, and creating a culture of leading small. Anytime you start something new, you will face adversity. You have to say things over and over again. It is hard work. But, you will never regret working with a team and doing something bigger than you can accomplish alone.
I am thankful for our amazing team and for the others who have invested in our family. I am still processing what God is teaching us through this season, but, if I could sit down over coffee, here is what I would say. Here is how I hope and pray our time at the Ridge will be remembered:
The church is God's plan to share the good news of Jesus. We must stay focused on that mission. When we forget to build deep and meaningful relationships with those far from God, we will ultimately become a place where the already convinced come to feel loved, encouraged, and safe, and we will no longer be a place where life change is happening as more and more people hear the gospel. So, who lives on your street who doesn't know Jesus? How are you loving them? What role is your small group playing in their lives? No matter what happens, don't give up on the Church. Don't run and hide because something didn't go your way or someone doesn't like you. Be apart of a local church. Invest. Over and over again. Through hurt. Through disappointment. It is what we are all called to.
You will never go wrong when you put the next generation first. Most people who hear and accept the gospel are under eighteen. Great churches invest their best resources and best people into the next generation. Families can be changed because of the way a church chooses to invest in the next generation. Never get sucked into the idea that family ministry is an afterthought. Never think you have to have great coffee or an amazing worship experience for adults before the next generation gets your best! Keep thinking about how to serve the kids and families in your church and community and you will always be relevant!
Thinking orange allows us to invest in the next generation in practical and essential ways. So many hear about what we do or ask about what we do and think curriculum. Thinking orange is more than a curriculum. It's a way to approaching the roles of the church and home that gives kids a firm foundation, practical application, and allows them to develop a faith of their own. It's a strategy that says when we partner with parents and allow consistent voices in the lives of kids and students, we can show them a God who is big and loved them enough to send Jesus. We can have a huge impact when we combine the warm hearts of homes and the light of the world through the church. It means fighting until every child and student have a caring leader and a consistent group of peers.
Community is essential to following Jesus. Day after day my life is better because of the people around me. If you are a Jesus follower and are not apart of a small group, you are missing out. In fact, to be a bit bold, you are probably not accomplishing all God has for you because most of those things we cannot do alone. I am closer to Jesus because of those closest to me who point me to Him over and over. You can be more on mission because of a group who shows you how to love your neighbors and gives you courage to build relationships and share Jesus. What do you need to do to put yourself in community with other Jesus followers? How can this actually make you more aware of those far from God? I am overwhelmed with how our group loves us and cares for us and reminds us of what God is doing around us! We won't always get it right, but when we are living in genuine community, it is easier to get up and try again.
The only thing that will matter in 100 years is someone's relationship with Jesus. It's that simple. Let's not be distracted by the things of this world that pull us away from this. Good things. Fun things. But, things that don't measure up to eternity. Let's be on 24/7. Let's love people. Let's serve big. Let's build relationships with those who need Jesus. Let's take care of the least of these. Let's go without being afraid. Let's rally the Jesus followers around us to live big lives for His glory. Nothing else matters.
If nothing else is said of me, I want it to be that what was most important to me was whether others knew Jesus and how much He loves them by how much I love them. Do people know Jesus and how much He loves them by how well we love them and serve them and provide for them in our neighborhoods and ultimately when they walk in the doors of our churches one day? Let it be said of me...
I will give up anything else. Even on the days when it's hard. Even when things don't work out how I imagined or dreamed. Even when I don't get my way. I want the glory of God to reign. Forever. And, it will. So, I don't want to get in the way. So, we go..wherever He sends us. And, we trust God, that His ways are higher and better and about His glory rather than my position or comfort or pride or preference.
Goodbye, Chestnut Ridge...I will move on looking to invest again. Because we cannot give up. This is what we are here to do.
Comments