range of everything
it has been a long time since i have last blogged anything of substance. during this time however i have enjoyed reading and commenting on the blogs of many of my good friends and colleagues. i am so thankful that we have this cyber-community, where we can journey together with one-another through many highs and lows. the past week has been an interesting week for me. last week i found myself in a pretty deep funk- and i was not able to identify why i was feeling that way, or how i could get out of it. basically, last wednesday just sucked to put it bluntly. i was not motivated to really do anything, and felt like just being blah. i almost kind of panicked at this feeling of emptiness but the encouragement of my wife that it was okay made a big difference. thankfully this feeling did not last very long, but did last long enough for me to learn some things. on thursday i had my monthly meeting with my mission director- the assistant to the bishop. i expressed to him the way i was "funkish" and he assured me this was normal and that he had learned to truly embrace these feelings. i knew that, but still hated the feeling. i did cling more to the promise of god in psalm 46 that indeed god is god- and we ought be still and know this. i am indeed feeling much better now, but still cannot finger exactly what sent me into the funk. i could attribute it to many things-perhaps loneliness, missing friends, uncertainty of what lies ahead for advent, the reality that this church is to start worship in a matter of weeks, not months anymore. but...the mystery continues....okay enough on that reflection.
things now have picked up again in very positive ways. i continue to meet new people who are interested in advent- many of them have no church experience at all and are very open to something new. it seems that we are aiming to begin worship during the season of advent- probably a week or two before Christmas. this is both exciting and daunting to think about. the trick is trying to find the right time to begin worship- when there is enough people to sustain a good weekly attendance without waiting to long that those interested during the early stages of development get restless. we have several options as far as locations- and are aiming to lease the old firehouse in lake ann for a dollar a year- half of it is being turned into the township library and the other half is empty. we would need to replace the furnace and do some hardcore drywalling, and other construction- but the space will be ours, and there would be no need to set up and tear down each week. we also would be able to have an office space which would be very nice. also on the development front- i have identified our outreach staff person- so now there are two of us on the mission development team. her position is very limited at this point, but still there is someone to bounce som ideas off of. i am meeting next week with a potential music/worship leader. i pray god's guidance as i try to discern who these people should be.
i was blessed to preside and preach last week at Bethlehem again- it amazes me how much this feeds me and grounds me. the partnership with BLC has indeed been a blessing. i am so eager to be worshipping every week at Advent.
cheers
things now have picked up again in very positive ways. i continue to meet new people who are interested in advent- many of them have no church experience at all and are very open to something new. it seems that we are aiming to begin worship during the season of advent- probably a week or two before Christmas. this is both exciting and daunting to think about. the trick is trying to find the right time to begin worship- when there is enough people to sustain a good weekly attendance without waiting to long that those interested during the early stages of development get restless. we have several options as far as locations- and are aiming to lease the old firehouse in lake ann for a dollar a year- half of it is being turned into the township library and the other half is empty. we would need to replace the furnace and do some hardcore drywalling, and other construction- but the space will be ours, and there would be no need to set up and tear down each week. we also would be able to have an office space which would be very nice. also on the development front- i have identified our outreach staff person- so now there are two of us on the mission development team. her position is very limited at this point, but still there is someone to bounce som ideas off of. i am meeting next week with a potential music/worship leader. i pray god's guidance as i try to discern who these people should be.
i was blessed to preside and preach last week at Bethlehem again- it amazes me how much this feeds me and grounds me. the partnership with BLC has indeed been a blessing. i am so eager to be worshipping every week at Advent.
cheers
JG,
How exciting to hear about the future, the advent that God will bring in your area. You are right there, out on the front lines figuring this stuff out. I commend you for it. I look forward to a conversation some time about all the ins and outs of what you are up to.
Seriously, God bless your work, and yeah about that funk let me know when you figure it out--or better yet find my number on the ELCA page and give me a call! Paz
Posted by
Chad K |
10:39 PM
funk or not, something exciting is brewing over yonder. it is such great news that you will soon have a place - a location - a building in which a foundation of Christ can be built. maybe we should call you Peter. I know how exciting the prospect of the office is - you've been waiting for that for a long time. Perhaps grounding yourself in location will help your funkiness.
Beginning Advent in Advent sounds perfect - plus the timing seems good - you'll have those who have expressed interest wanting to get started with their new church but it's not so late that people will forget about it after all the holiday hooplah. it seems like a good plan to me.
anyway honey, i continue to pray for Advent and especially you, A, L, and little A. If you ever need to talk and vent, i always have my cell phone on... miss you!
Posted by
~moe~ |
8:13 AM
j-
i am relieved to hear the funk has passed. its hard to know friends are stuck and there is nothing one can do about it besides pray. as one who likes to do, i am in constant need of being reminded to be still and know that god is god.
i am excited that things are beginning to really move out that way - a clear indication to me that the spirit is working on you and through you. hang on, and don't forget to buckle up.
i pray your staff addition will bring a sense of tangibility to advent, and a provide a springboard for futher-reaching ministry. my prayers are with you as you discuss music leadership - most likely with someone from interlochen? - this coming week.
as always, my prayers are with you, your family, and the ministry all of you do. miss you guys and look forward to seeing you soon!
Posted by
Leland |
8:48 AM