‘Cute Shoes’ Online Discussion ~Chapter Six and a Giveaway!
UPDATE:
I will select a winner of the giveaway and post her name on Monday. I’m not going to close comments so the discussion can continue but know that the current entry 37 will be the cut off for the giveaway. In the meantime, I’m headed out the door to the ATL to see Mama Beth and worship with 10,000 of my closest friends. I hope to see lots of you there! I’ll tell you all about it when I get back! xoxoxoxo Lisa
Hey Girls! It’s time for us to jump back in to our book discussion but it seems rude to get straight to business without catching up for a bit first.
Last week was Spring Break and the weather was p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n. Luke and I cleaned out our storage building and if we’d had a camera crew could have easily filmed our own segment of American Pickers. If I were a better blogger I would have some pictures for you. The reality is I’m a stinky blogger so you’ll have to envision my awesome locker baskets that I’ve held on to for years waiting to find just the right place for them and the box of old metal toy trucks Luke bought at an auction before we met. We also have an antique bed that was manufactured by the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Furniture Co. in 1927 and an old laxative tin that came out of my great-grandmother’s pie safe. The medication is long since gone but I’m thinking the tin would look cool on a shelf in our bathroom. An inspiration piece of sorts.
The kids went to their grandparent’s house in Georgia Thursday. Luke spoke at a banquet for a ministry we dearly love on Thursday night. Friday we hit every homebuilding supply store in a 100 mile radius to gather ideas. Saturday morning I spoke at a women’s luncheon for a group of adorable women with some serious skillz in the food/decor department. (I’ll show pictures and tell you more about them in a couple of days. Lots of great ideas from their event.) Saturday afternoon Luke and I drove to Cartersville, GA to see the house we are building in real life. A developer has it for sale so the darlin’ realtor let us go in and spend lots of time taking pictures, etc. so we could see if it felt like home. (It totally did.) I am challenged when it comes to seeing a house plan in 3D so the tour was gold.
And then it was Sunday and since all the kids were still gone I got to church on time.
Whoot!
And now that I’ve finally worked myself around to church, let’s get to our discussion on ‘Embracing Your Thing’. I’m going to pitch out some straight forward questions. I also want to point out to you that I’ve added a plug-in that allows you to reply to various commenters. I’m trying to use that more to communicate with you and I hope you will use it as well to talk back and forth with one another. Don’t forget to begin your response with your name, state, and area of ministry.
This chapter deals with our individual giftedness and how that is manifested in our congregations. Let’s talk about it!
1. What is your favorite area of ministry within the church and are you currently serving there?
2. Which activities and ministries are you doing that fall outside your personal calling?
3. Would you characterize your contribution to the body as exhilarating or exhausting? Keep in mind that exhilarated exhaustion is not the same as burnout exhaustion.
4. If you are burned out, what are some of the reasons you’ve not yet stepped out of the fire?
5. Has caring for young children or perhaps aging parents caused you to grieve being unable to do more with the church? In what ways has the Lord confirmed caregiving is the ministry ordained for you in this season?
I’m looking forward to hearing your answers on this one! To thank you for your participation, I’m going to give away two more copies of the book for those of you who don’t yet have it. Simply leave a comment telling us if you are hoping to win one for yourself or your pastor’s wife. I’ll announce a winner on Thursday.
Patty, SC, senior pastor
1. I guess I have two favorite areas: children and women. I am serving in both of those areas right now what with having to be the VBS director this year. I am also trying to bridge the gap between the old and younger generations of women who can’t seem to get on the same page. We recently did a purse swap which was a HUGE step in the right direction. I’ll be blogging about it as soon as I find the time.
2. I am dealing with youth ministry as well right now and that is definitely outside of my comfort zone. While I enjoy teaching middle school as a job, high school students just annoy me. I’m praying the Lord will send someone soon to help out in this area. (Our lay person took a personal leave of her senses a few months ago and left her husband so she’s on hiatus from ministry–please join me in prayer that she can heal!).
3. Right now, I am exhausted but it has nothing at all to do with the church. I feel bad that I can’t give 100% because I am finishing grad school, but it will all be over soon–6 days and counting! That will allow me to truly jump in an hopefully, make a difference.
5. I’m not really burned out, and until our adoption goes through I don’t have little people so my burn out is of my own making! I do love ministry….it makes me happy!
.-= Patty´s last blog .. =-.
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Love the purse swap idea!
Your site it beautiful and your book is wonderful….so proud for you….
I have not had enough blog time lately…So glad that I stopped by tonight..Be sure and stop by main blog
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-think-god-smiled.html
and witness a miracle.
Did I miss the discussion of chapter six? I can’t find it…
.-= Peggy Fonseca´s last blog ..Bride Alert =-.
Crystal Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I was wondering the same thing!
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday.. time to weigh in! =-.
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Y’all, I am a goober. THIS is Chapter Six – I just labeled it wrong….lol I fixed it..:))
Crystal Reply:
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
Well, I’m a goober for not actually looking at the content! I just read the title! :)
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday.. time to weigh in! =-.
My favorite area of ministry is music, and yes I am serving in that area. Singing gives me the opportunity to give a voice to others who may not be able to express themselves. I love it!!!!
I don’t really think I am currently doing anything outside of my calling.
I must admit that after a Sunday of singing I totally crash and must take a loooong nap. But it feel great while I’m singing.
I have chosen to homeschool my children (ages 12, 9 and 6). So yes, I often feel that I have to step away from ministry to do school and things with my kids.
I know that my kids are currently happy to be homeschooled and they are thriving under what choices our family has made. I miss my time with the ladies sometimes. I know without a doubt that this roller coaster of homeschooling will not last forever. So many of the women I admire are women who walked through a season of just not being able to do everything they dream of at one time. I have dreams of becoming a “Family Manager” like Kathy Peel, but I know that I can still do that in little ways right now and hopefully one day I can do the whole big picture. God will make the right time for me.
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
LOVE Kathy Peel! Something tells me you have lots of the same skillz..:)
Shelly Myers Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I would love one of your books. They don’t seem to carry it at our library in Colorado Springs.
I still don’t have a copy of this book and would love to win a copy for myself. I’m a missionary’s wife. Thanks!
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Beth Moore Conference =-.
Cheryl, Sr. pastor, Ga.
I’ve misplaced my book and I’m so far behind!!! Hopefully, I’ll find it soon. Are you coming to ATL this weekend? If so, I’ll look for you.
.-= cheryl´s last blog ..One Year Old!!!! =-.
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
YES! Can’t wait to see you!
Hey Lisa! I still don’t have a copy of your book! I would love to have a copy because I so want to read this one!!! We are in the process of having to pack up and move. Our landlord lost the house we have been renting for three years in a divorce settlement. The Lord is miraculously providing for our every need, but have to be real careful with money right now or else I would have already gotten your book.
Thanks for this opportunity to maybe be able to get my hand on one!!!
If not, I WILL be getting it as soon as I can!
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 9:04 am
Jennifer, praying for you sister. What an awful predicament.
Alyson – TX – Sr. Pastor
1. As a teacher, children’s ministry is my favorite area of ministry. I teach 1st and 2nd graders on Wed. night. As much as I love working with children I have avoided teaching Sunday School in addition to Wed. night. I have protected that time to be in a class with people my own age. I feel that if I didn’t have that I would have a hard time connecting to adults in our church.
2. Occasionally I have to step up and teach that adult SS class when there is no one else to fill in. Teaching adults falls outside of my comfort zone, but because I’m so invested in our class I feel the need to step in there when no one else will.
3 & 5. I am so blessed to be in a church that for the most part realizes they hired my husband and not me. I really try to be as involved as I would if I were just another church member. I help our children’s minister out when she needs help planning events, work with our SS class, and help in a ministry to a local elementary school. It helps that when we came I was expecting my 2nd baby. I told the search comm. that I wasn’t going to commit to any ministry until after the baby was born. It took me a while to jump in there, but even now I’m very selective about what I take on. I plan to go back to work in 2 yrs. when my littlest starts kindergarten, and then I will probably give up much of what I do now. Besides my own family, the kids I teach will be my primary ministry then.
We once interviewed at a church and they were giving us a tour of the building. They said, “Alyson, you’ll want to see the kitchen.” My husband and I tried not to laugh out loud. I wanted to run as far as I could in the opposite direction!
Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
lol…the kitchen is the last thing I want to see!!!
Penny, New Orleans, Senior Pastor
1. I was called into Women’s Ministry in 1999 and have been serving in this capacity almost ever since then. Currently I am serving as the Women’s Minister ar our church. I love every minute of it! Even when times get tough, even through harsh critiques of events, I still wouldn’t want to do anything else. Of course there have been days when I wished I could just go to church like a “regular” person. You know, arrive just in time for the sermon, sit at the back, leave immediately after afterwards – but when I begin to feet to those thoughts I cringe. Even in the middle of the hard stuff – I love it and wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!
2. Outside my calling… well, when you’re called to ministry yourself and your husband is the Pastor – many things fall in your lap – especially during our church planting days. Things like setting up chairs, printing bulletins, making announcements, childcare (still doing this one), cleaning the bathrooms, etc – this list could really go on forever. But it all really helps get people saved… and that’s what keeps me going. Even making sure the grounds are nice & manicured makes the church more appealing – which helps get people in the doors – which increases their opportunity to hearing the gospel. But if I had to nail down one area it would be the Nursery. I can do it, I enjoy it when I’m in there, there’s nothing more important than teaching our children – but it’s not my strongest gift.
3. Dealing with the naysayers – (who have already left the church but are still vocal) is exhausting! Seeing the chairs full on a Sunday morning is exhilarating! Hearing from others that they are learning new things about their faith and their God is exhilarating! We just ended a study of Daniel with our ladies and shortly thereafter a lady called and left me a message. She was so excited that she knew who King Nebuchadnezzar was and she even knew more about Ezra than just a name in the OT. She even knew who Cyrus the Great was – all from our study. She said that I had helped her bring the OT to life! That’s exhilarating!
4. Burnout: Been there before – praise God I’m not there now! But what kept me from stepping out before was shear obedience. God said no. My Dad always says – “Don’t Quit”. So I just kept on doing what He told me to do until He provided the rest.
5. Oh my! This is my current issue! I have a 5 & 3 year old and they love life to the fullest! They both love to chatter… ALOT!!! So it makes talking/ministering over the phone and especially after church with ladies extremely hard! I feel like I need to scoop them up from the nursery and get them to the car as fast as we can. But I know that there are ladies that are waiting in line to speak with me – to share their hearts – to ask for prayer. I would LOVE advice on how to have balance here. I know that this is precious time with them and that they are my main priority – but I believe there can be balance. God is showing me this day by day. When I hear my 3 year old say, “Jesus died on the cross for my sins”, and my 5 year old talk about how Jesus in alive and can say The Old Roman Creed by memory – I know that any sacrifice that I feel I’ve made to make them & their needs priority is MORE than worth it. (However, in the trenches of a Sunday morning this is tough!)
Thanks for writing such an awesome book! I bought it as I was really looking for a new study to lead our ladies through – and came away with nothing for them and your book for me. I think it was a wise investment!
.-= Penny´s last blog ..The good stuff’s in the middle! =-.
I would love to win a copy of your book for me. I am a pastor’s wife of a small church.
Have a wonderful day.
I have already read your book and LOVE it!!
I would like to win a copy so that I can do a giveaway on my blog, http://www.worthyoftheprize.com.
I have a lot of ministry wife friends and would like for all of them to have a chance to read it!
Thanks for the chance!! :)
Kay – Senior Pastor’s Wife – Arizona – 46
1. I was called into women’s ministry even before my husband and I met and this has been a great complementary ministry to my husband’s. I absolutely LOVE teaching women’s Bible studies, mentoring women, equipping women to lead and minister, etc. I don’t so much enjoy planning events any more. I’m a little burned out on this aspect of the ministry and try to delegate as much as I can of that one. The Lord has really broadened my women’s ministry to include writing for publications and writing devotionals for Journey. I also LOVE speaking to groups and am writing my second Bible study for publication. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE ministering to women. It’s fun, but so much more than fun. It is my heart beat, my passion. I love to see women embrace Jesus and His Word and apply the Truth to their lives to live in victory. Oops. I better reign it in!
2. I took a break from VBS for several years simply because it was so outside of my zone, but I’ve been back at it for a few years now. I do it out of obedience and as an example, because I truly believe God expects us to step out of our “specialty” ever so often and minister where it’s a little harder for us. I work with our youth occasionally too and that is also out of my zone, even though I have two of them!
3. I am generally exhilirated. Sometimes, when people get nasty, as well all know they occasionally can do, things get a little draining. Also, I do sometimes get tired, weary, but not necessarily drained. The good kind of tired.
4. NA
5. I’ve always tried to go with whatever season I’m in with my family. To those of you with young children, hang in there. They eventually become much more self-sufficient. Even then, they are definitely your primary ministry (along with your husband, of course), so don’t short-change them. We tend to think that whatever season we are in will never end, but it does. Time goes quickly. Enjoy the ride. Put your hands in the air and go with the thing!
.-= Kay´s last blog ..Heard Some Bad News Lately? =-.
Julie, TN, Pastor of Mobilization
I don’t have a copy, and I would love to win one! I promise I would read it cover to cover, with a little coffee spilled in between. :)
1. I love to teach women the Bible, and I am doing that some … not as much as I would love to. I feel a bit bogged down in event planning and so much leading. I also love worship ministry, but for reasons that require much prayer, I don’t feel like I can join in there right now.
2. Oops … a little of this is above. I know I am called to lead, but sometimes the details and logistics can be so stifling …
3. Ministry is exhilarating, but sometimes the context where we serve can add some of that exhaustion.
4. Waiting for my husband to take the lead, waiting for God to move, not wanting to move ahead of either of them before it’s clear.
5. This is not something I’m doing now, but I’ve been in the young children season, and I am so very thankful that I had the freedom and encouragement to focus on caregiving. We are reaping the fruit now.
.-= Julie- Pastor of Mobilization-41-Tenn.´s last blog ..Tasty Tuesday ~ Scioto Hills PB Bars =-.
Sara, MO Senior Pastor
I am a high school teacher, so I always love working with youth. I’ve taught high school Sunday school classes for the past ten or so years now, and it’s been a pretty rewarding experience. I also have had a big heart recently for doing a Mom’s Bible study. As a mother of two toddlers, I think having a time and place to come together with other moms and study God’s word is really important. I’ve seen some definite fruit come from that, in my own life as well as others.
Right now I’m directing our little kids choir. That is something I have never done, nor ever thought I might do! But, when there’s a need, I guess someone has to fill it :-) I’ve also led singing in worship, which was another first for me. It’s been fun, actually. I’ve found that I’ve really grown in my conceptions of what I thought I could do. It’s always good to expand your box a bit!!
I have stepped back from things over the past year and a half because of some conflict in our congregation. It’s hard to truly minister to people when you’re hurt. And, I’ve also felt that people in the congregation need to step up and lead some things on their own.
As I said earlier, I have two toddlers at home, so that really limits what I’m able to do. If my husband has a Finance meeting during Bell practice, for instance, I generally stay home from Bells. My boys are pretty active, so it’s really impossible to take them to a Bible study or youth group. Our congregation has adopted them and loves them, but the constant interruption stresses me out! :-) I’ve found, however, that God has really affirmed my choice to choose our boys over church. When I give up something at church to tend to the boys, things run a lot more smoothly at home. Especially since I work full-time as well, it’s important that I spend most evenings at home.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Confession 94: Brothers and Sisters in Arms: Literally =-.
Patty Reply:
April 24th, 2010 at 1:21 am
That was a hard lesson for me to learn…..to choose my children over church. I thought I had to sacrifice everything for ministry without realizing that they were the most important ministry opportunity I had!
.-= Patty´s last blog ..Almost there =-.
April, College Minister’s wife, Louisiana, 30s
1, I enjoy teaching women and teen girls God’s word. I currently teach a high school girls’ class on Sunday mornings. I am about to begin a college girls’ Bible study again. I did it last fall, but the time we met didn’t work for our family, so we chose a different night that I think will work better.
2. We have a large church with many volunteer laypeople. The only ministry I do that’s outside of my giftedness is VBS. I love my kids. I love my friends’ kids. But I’m not great at leading children.
3. More exhilarating than exhausting. And the exhaustion is often from other sources, not my service.
5. I teach my four girls at home, so my outside the home ministry opportunities are more limited than other moms of school-aged kids. But I KNOW God has called me to this, so I just enjoy the time with my girls and don’t fret much that I can’t do more right now.
.-= April´s last blog ..Hope for the Future =-.
I have a confession here and it is that right now I don’t feel like I’m doing a stinkin’ thing for church. We just moved to a new church 5 weeks ago and I’ve decided to take the very wise advice of another PW and wait before I jump into anything. She suggested waiting 6 months. I’ll just keep praying until God shows me where I should be. Please help me pray about that!
I feel like I have gone through a little “What’s my purpose?” crisis since we moved. At our other church I was very burnt out. At one point I was teaching the youth on Wednesday, a discipleship training class on Sunday night and we had no nursery. My husband actually kept the nursery so I could teach on Sunday nights because discipleship is really my heart.
Right now I am in the season with little people and homeschooling. I am praying about that and if I will continue to do that next year or send my kids to school. So, basically I am just a mess! Ha! I’m not doing anything, I don’t know anything….. Just kidding. (Kind of). I do know that God has so impressed on me how important this season is and I am desperate not to lose the opportunity He’s given me with my children. I just don’t want to be disobedient in other areas and use my kids as an excuse. Does that make sense?
Well, you might need to write a whole other book for crazy, confused PW’s like me. Or refer me to therapy…. :)
.-= Emily Fidler´s last blog ..It’s 15:00 Somewhere? =-.
Alyson Reply:
April 20th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I think it is great that you are waiting to jump into anything. I did the same thing and then slowly eased into different ministries over time. We women have this ridiculous sense of guilt even when we shouldn’t. If we are over involved in ministry, we feel guilty about not being with our kids. If we aren’t involved in ministry we feel guilty about that too. I struggle with this, but as you said, we will never have this time back with our kids. I don’t think we’ll regret any time we spend with them even at the expense of doing something else worthwhile. Praying you’ll experience peace!
.-= Alyson´s last blog ..Need Suggestions =-.
Emily Reply:
April 21st, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Thank you so much for the prayers and words of encouragement!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..It’s 15:00 Somewhere? =-.
Patty Reply:
April 24th, 2010 at 1:24 am
Emily, you need to remember that you are still grieving also. Your mind and body can only do so much and God is most aware of what you can do!
.-= Patty´s last blog ..Almost there =-.
Emily Fidler Reply:
April 26th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Thank you Patty! I needed to hear that!!
.-= Emily Fidler´s last blog ..A Good Lesson on Good Friday =-.
I am a PW, and I would love to win this!!!! I have looked all over for a copy and can not find one…. so I would looooooovvvvvvveeeeee to have a copy!!!!
I’m a MOPS momma! I totally love MOPS and all it entails! Right now I’m a Discussion Group Leader. We have our meeting tomorrow and I have to go make some yummy food. I’d love to win your book for myself :)
Lisa, I read “Cute Shoes” the week it came out. I loved it. I could realt to so much you wrote about. I did not go thru the moving away from home part but I did become a PW at the age of 21. Have lots of funny stories in my journal as well as some of the not so funny ones. …Anyway, my daughter- in- law has my copy now. She is also a PW. My son has been a Pastor for almost 8 years now, also starting his pastorate at the age of 20 like his Dad. I have truely been blessed and was thrilled to read your book. Thanks for sharing with us.
Another Sand Mountain Baptist PW,
Pam
Necoe, OK, layperson that still feels like a PW
1. hands down I know my call is to children, but not just to teach them, but to teach them deep theological things about God on a very childlike way/concept.
2. Area I have not felt called, but yet kept finding myself teaching was adult women. In time though, I began to pray instead of run over the opportunities, because a gift of the Holy Spirit means relying on the Spirit., not myself. The other area I really wish I was called was music. I have no talent at all to sing (or play) other than the joyful noise, and believe me it is definitely noise. Ask the kids
3. Because of our most recent move, I am still finding my place of ministry. We are now part of a large church and it’s strange to not be the one planning all the children’s ministry. Strange, yet relaxing
5. Caring for small kids has been a bit of a stumbling block in the past. Especially while the hubby was pastoring a small church. I remember one particular time we were trying to have a Family Bible Study night. We were offering an adult Bible Study with kids and youth studying the same passages. At the time we had a young baby. We had to pay a babysitter to watch her so I could teach the young children class (ages 3 y/o- 7y/o.) Talk about age gaps. There were many times I was either in the nursery watching my own kids or times I didn’t even go, because I can watch my own kids in the comfort of my home. Although it was lonely at times to feel like I was missing out, I used it as a motivation to develop friendships with other young moms who needed ministry but were limited to conversations with preschoolers. Especially when “daddy” is away so much, it’s good for the kids to have a parent who isn’t so busy. At the same time look for ways to use the kids in ministry. Lonely widows love to see young kids on visits, too.
.-= Necoe´s last blog ..Thai Pesto Shrimp with Coconut-Lime Rice =-.
Sara Reply:
April 22nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Thank you for this! What you are describing is exactly what I feel at times with my own children. I do try to get them involved in areas of ministry that are more conducive to them running around all over the place :-) And, you’re right, there’s a definite demographic of the congregation that loves to see them.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..Confession 95: God is Immovable =-.
I’m a brand new PW, recently married at age 50 (gasp) to a career Army chaplain. I’d love to have the chance to win a copy of your book, Lisa – thanks for the opportunity!
I would give it to our pastor’s wife, but I might secretly read it first. I’m not a pw, just lead a ladies bible study. Blessings!
I’d love to win a copy of the book for myself. Me & my hubby work with the youth at our church…and he was just ordained. It went well, btw. I know you were praying for us! It was such a sweet and special day!
.-= Amber Hinson´s last blog ..3 months old =-.
lisa…you are such an inspiration…i always enjoy visiting your blog…please add my name to this generous giveaway of yours…i would love to read your book…thanks :)
Crystal, AL, not currently serving in a pastorate position, hubby applying for Bible college soon!
1. I love working with the little ones and am currently working in the nursery of our church. I also love women’s ministry as well and am a part of a group of women who cook for families in need (sick/surgery,new baby). I love that the Lord gives you pleasure in different activities and you get to use them to bless others!
2. Currently none! Isn’t that amazing?! Our church is very particular with the ‘extras’ that we do. And that’s a good thing! We don’t do things for the sake of tradition or because every other church in the area is doing it. We don’t have committees, councils, etc, either (other than our elders and deacons). But that’s a whole different subject!
3. I love every chance I get to serve with my church family!
5. Well, I just can’t say enough about our church! We have a large group of young married couples with young children. And we have a homeschool co-op so there are so many people that ‘get it’ when it comes to having small children.. and raising them!
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday.. time to weigh in! =-.
Great book…I am going to write about it on my blog…
Had a few hours to blog hop tonight……so glad that I stopped here….Be sure and stop by and read about a miracle in our family….
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-think-god-smiled.html
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..I THINK GOD SMILED =-.
1. Favorite is a personal writing and encouragement ministry, but it’s not a “real” ministry, just a personal one. For the “real” ministries, it would be high school…but I’m not serving there now.
2. Basic hospitality stuff is way outside my gifts, and living in a small town means I have to be more hospitable than I’m capable. I never feel so inadequate as when I have to prepare meals, host people or write thank you notes and such. I’m terrible at all things etiquette-related. Also, I do not enjoy nursery care or elementary-aged ministry, and somehow I am always expected to volunteer there. I’ve refused…more out of pride than anything else (the Lord will deal with me, I am quite sure).
3. Truthfully, I’m neither. I had a baby almost 5 months ago, so I’m sort of in that season of babydom and haven’t been as involved in ministry as I’d like (or need to be).
4. N/A
5. I am caring for young children, but it isn’t grieving me with this second child as it did the first. I think because I know this is our last baby, I’m thoroughly enjoying this season and unapologetic for it. Somehow, God has given me peace to know this is just where I am right now, and I’m loving it. That peace is how I know this is my immediate calling for now.
Peggy – PW – Brazil
1. I love teaching the Bible and am passionate about that. I am currently leading a Bible study in English at my church here and have seen in grow over this past year in ways I never expected. I am so happy when I am teaching God’s Word.
2. For years I was a children’s worker and am well known for that ministry, although I stopped working in children about 10 years ago. I do the children’s message in our worship services every Sunday, since I base them on my husband’s sermon, but every week it gets harder to do. I have managed to share this with our children’s pastor, but because I am so identified with this ministry, it’s been hard for the church to accept my stepping down. I really don’t feel called to be actively involved in children’s ministry anymore, but I just seem to get sucked in again and again. Right now I am writing a VBS, which is less stressful than leading a VBS!
3. At this point in my life I consider my church ministry exhilarating. We have been at this church for four years, but for the first 18 months I took on no tasks at the church, although that was really hard for me to do. Since this is a large church, there was SO much to be done, but by stepping back and trying to understand and love the people first and engage in ministry second, I was able to see where I could fit. That had to be the hardest 18 months of my life, so rich in Bible study and prayer time. I’ve had my share of “burning” out in ministry in the past, but hopefully I’ve learned more about not letting the “urgent” crowd out the time for the main thing.
4 n/a
5. There really is a time and season for everything. I do not need to care for small children or parents at this point in my life. This church has provided so adequately for our physical needs that I no longer need to work outside our home. And never has my husband needed my presence and support as he does right now. This church requires so much emotional energy, that I really need to be there for him, and I consider that caring for him is my full time ministry.
.-= Peggy Fonseca´s last blog ..Bride Alert =-.