Discussions with a Good Friend

Four hours in Starbuck's with a Carmel Machiatto and a good friend garnered thought provoking discussion and wonderment for the days ahead. Where did the time go?

We are going to find a good way to publish and distribute my friend's curriculum writings. Her passion is to put the classics of literature into unit lessons. She wants to create those lessons with a bent toward Christianity. She is very creative. I think she will enjoy doing this, so it's just a matter of finding out HOW to market it for her!

She helped me think through my frustration around the worship team and what is going on at my church. It's not really a bad thing actually. It's about change though. I looked out on the congregation this morning realizing that less than 1/2 of them were engaging in the time of worship. I guess it's up to ME to get them connected, but they weren't doing that too well. I wonder sometimes, if this is where I"m supposed to be right now. I know that my passion is being a worshipper. I love to lead others in worshipping God as well. Maybe my voice is becoming too familiar?

I need to think about the age of the congregation. Where will we be in 5-10 years (besides older)? Who will be our leaders? What are we doing to keep the things of God fresh in our peoples' hearts?

I guess my heart in being a leader of worship is to prepare a place for the Lord. I want to honor Him and lift up His name. We have been known as a church that has good worship. Somehow, I am feeling like that's not the case anymore. I'm wondering if it's because of me. I know I am asking the Lord if my time is through. I'm training people to do as many of my jobs as I can.

Father, we need a piano player.

We talked about going back to the place where we knew the calling of God on our lives. It was interesting because this morning in church we sang "He Touched Me". That was the very first solo I ever sang. It was about then that I knew I would spend my life for God. I feel like I am squeezing though this little place to get to the wider open spaces of a different place of ministry. I don't want people to be hurt by the changes to that different place, but I know that I can't wait on others to decide to change. It must be my choice.

My friend has made some of those kinds of choices before and was good to give me direction in this area. I guess I don't like confrontation any more than those in authority over me don't like it. She was clear in her communications with her leadership. She came away with a clear cut understanding of what needed to be done. I must garner the courage to be as direct. I hope I can.

There have been several prophetic words to me in the last 6 months about a larger ministry than right in my church. I don't know that it was so much about size as it was more about the scope of influence. I don't think I should just go try to make a place like that for myself. It will have to rise from the Lord. I will look forward to see how God is at work in that process.

It was a very fast four hours! I think we both were encouraged. We are both looking for fellowship on a deeper level. We want to hear about the things going on with each other, but we also want to press each other on to greater depths of the Lord.

She is going to look for a church where there are more people her age. That makes sense to me! It would be hard not to see her each week, but I really understand her need for friends her age. I pray she will find a group, not only encourage her, but for her to be able to encourage as well.

Lots of praying and waiting to do!