Dynamite technician! LOL! I could have the feeling of seeing something just blow up and start over. Coming into a company that is completely lost and has no process and true vision is hard. For the past 11 months, I have been fighting everyday. It feels like 9 rounds of a fight that I may never win. However, my prayer has been for calmness and clarity, and that is exactly what he has given me. We are seeing the change start to happen, and the people and process coming together. I am so glad to have this community and share.
I know for me, seeking confirmations of my calling and God’s plan for my life along the way helped to keep me hopeful and encouraged in seasons of blindness. For instance, I may be seeking God asking “what’s up” and get scriptures on “waiting “ or some on refining, or many times to just praise and give thanks when I couldn’t see anything happening. This protects us from the root of bitterness hidden in us from bearing fruit and causing a doorway for hopelessness or resentment to corrupt our hearts and minds and, out of anger and hurt, to quit!
Thank you for this article Pastor Jon! What a joy to meet you and to hear your heart about this often overlooked and misunderstood calling of ours! Your words bring hope, healing and another gust of wind in my sails!! Bless you!
The hardest part of re-leading in this season for me is that sense of destruction. I feel like Joshua being instructed to go in and tear down and smash all the idols and altars to false gods! This past year I have torn down more than I’ve gotten to build, and the pure hearts on the team that surround me today is truly breathtaking. I am so proud of them as they’ve walked with me, followed with questions in their hearts, trusted God through it all, and most importantly found healing!! You spoke of the priests weeping because they couldn’t tell if they were happy or sad about the new thing being built and that STUCK with me!!! I am filled with joy today knowing that I am in the center of what God has called me to do here and I’m truly thankful to you for speaking into my life.
Pastor, exactly how much did you say again, to rent that bulldozer??!!... I'll pay CASH!!
I have a question.... what do you do when you know that you know the visions, dreams, word pictures, strong word impressions, etc., etc that are straoght from God. Sometimes I feel so full I'm about ready to burst.... I'm walking right for, what looks to be a wide open door, something I'm extremely passionate about, excited about.... and I'm 1 imch from the door and... SLAM!! CLICK, the door locks tight... over and over and over.... and, may I just mention, by the time you're my age... it's exhausting!!
I'm so close to giving up... yet, to do so, or even speak it (spoken words are life or death!) is allowing Satan to steal, kill, and destroy..... the very calling God has placed on our lives....
What then???
It causes me to wonder, is anything I hear from God REAL???
A lifetime is a long time to have doors slammed in our face over and over and over....
As in so many other times, after a spending time Journaling and in communion with Father God, he's saying to me,
#1) Remain in me and I will remain in you, Daughter, stay in communion with me, stay in close relationship to me, stay in prayer continuously.
#2) I always, always, always have your best in My mind and My heart. Nothing comes to you, including closed doors, that does not go through My filter first, so.... expect My best, for everyone involved, not just you personally.
Such a timely article. Exactly where I am in this season. 4 years of rebuilding. Foundations are good, staff and people are united and it feels like we are simply out of any more ideas. Attendance is almost half in 9 months. Giving is down 40%. I can’t help but wonder if my “season” is done and it’s time to relead in a new city. How do I discern when it’s just simply quitting or the Lord is pulling me out?
Man I’m praying for you Robert. I’ve been there! I would say for me, I knew I wasn’t finish yet because my fire had not gone out. It flickered, but deep down I knew God still had a spark in me to lead. I couldn’t make a decision based on an occasional desire to drive bulldozers. But what was I consistently sensing? In being “down in attendance and giving,” you are not alone. Many churches are hurting right now with the economy the way it is. I will be praying for clarity for you. That God would give you wisdom and grace in this season. And if you are to leave, that He would swing wide an open door to walk through!
Your comment reminded me of a book I read during the winter months that was exceptionally inspiring. The Pastor was in a very similair situation.... 20 people or less in attendance, obviously, very little, if any offering....
Dynamite technician! LOL! I could have the feeling of seeing something just blow up and start over. Coming into a company that is completely lost and has no process and true vision is hard. For the past 11 months, I have been fighting everyday. It feels like 9 rounds of a fight that I may never win. However, my prayer has been for calmness and clarity, and that is exactly what he has given me. We are seeing the change start to happen, and the people and process coming together. I am so glad to have this community and share.
Dynamite tech. Wow! Why didn't I think of that one. That sounds even more fun bulldozing! ha!
I know for me, seeking confirmations of my calling and God’s plan for my life along the way helped to keep me hopeful and encouraged in seasons of blindness. For instance, I may be seeking God asking “what’s up” and get scriptures on “waiting “ or some on refining, or many times to just praise and give thanks when I couldn’t see anything happening. This protects us from the root of bitterness hidden in us from bearing fruit and causing a doorway for hopelessness or resentment to corrupt our hearts and minds and, out of anger and hurt, to quit!
Huge part of staying positive in the journey! if we get bitter, angry or hurt, the likelihood of quitting is far bigger!
Thank you for this article Pastor Jon! What a joy to meet you and to hear your heart about this often overlooked and misunderstood calling of ours! Your words bring hope, healing and another gust of wind in my sails!! Bless you!
The hardest part of re-leading in this season for me is that sense of destruction. I feel like Joshua being instructed to go in and tear down and smash all the idols and altars to false gods! This past year I have torn down more than I’ve gotten to build, and the pure hearts on the team that surround me today is truly breathtaking. I am so proud of them as they’ve walked with me, followed with questions in their hearts, trusted God through it all, and most importantly found healing!! You spoke of the priests weeping because they couldn’t tell if they were happy or sad about the new thing being built and that STUCK with me!!! I am filled with joy today knowing that I am in the center of what God has called me to do here and I’m truly thankful to you for speaking into my life.
So glad it blessed you Kirsten! And I’m so glad you’re a part of this ReLeader community! Keep at it! God is using you in powerful ways! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
My walk away job would be anyplace on a cruise ship to travel the world and get paid doing it
Beautiful words of encouragement, Pastor!!
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
We all need more words like that!
Blessings back to ya!
Pastor, exactly how much did you say again, to rent that bulldozer??!!... I'll pay CASH!!
I have a question.... what do you do when you know that you know the visions, dreams, word pictures, strong word impressions, etc., etc that are straoght from God. Sometimes I feel so full I'm about ready to burst.... I'm walking right for, what looks to be a wide open door, something I'm extremely passionate about, excited about.... and I'm 1 imch from the door and... SLAM!! CLICK, the door locks tight... over and over and over.... and, may I just mention, by the time you're my age... it's exhausting!!
I'm so close to giving up... yet, to do so, or even speak it (spoken words are life or death!) is allowing Satan to steal, kill, and destroy..... the very calling God has placed on our lives....
What then???
It causes me to wonder, is anything I hear from God REAL???
A lifetime is a long time to have doors slammed in our face over and over and over....
As in so many other times, after a spending time Journaling and in communion with Father God, he's saying to me,
#1) Remain in me and I will remain in you, Daughter, stay in communion with me, stay in close relationship to me, stay in prayer continuously.
#2) I always, always, always have your best in My mind and My heart. Nothing comes to you, including closed doors, that does not go through My filter first, so.... expect My best, for everyone involved, not just you personally.
Love you,
Your Heavenly Father
The darkness night, comes just before morning!
Such a timely article. Exactly where I am in this season. 4 years of rebuilding. Foundations are good, staff and people are united and it feels like we are simply out of any more ideas. Attendance is almost half in 9 months. Giving is down 40%. I can’t help but wonder if my “season” is done and it’s time to relead in a new city. How do I discern when it’s just simply quitting or the Lord is pulling me out?
Man I’m praying for you Robert. I’ve been there! I would say for me, I knew I wasn’t finish yet because my fire had not gone out. It flickered, but deep down I knew God still had a spark in me to lead. I couldn’t make a decision based on an occasional desire to drive bulldozers. But what was I consistently sensing? In being “down in attendance and giving,” you are not alone. Many churches are hurting right now with the economy the way it is. I will be praying for clarity for you. That God would give you wisdom and grace in this season. And if you are to leave, that He would swing wide an open door to walk through!
Your comment reminded me of a book I read during the winter months that was exceptionally inspiring. The Pastor was in a very similair situation.... 20 people or less in attendance, obviously, very little, if any offering....
Title: "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala.
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30665484615&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-tile1&searchurl=ds%3D10%26kn%3Dfresh%2Bwind%252C%2Bfresh%2Bfire%2Bby%2Bjim%2Bcymbala%26sortby%3D17