This weekend, Kirk and I celebrate 8 years at Vision Pointe Assembly of God.
So what's it like to stay in one place for 8 years as a youth pastor? When we had been here 5 years one pastor told us that would be considered a 'lifetime' considering how often youth pastors move around. In fact, when we first moved here we committed to 5 years, and then were released from that commitment after 2 years of ministry when our lead pastor was called to a different church. When we first moved here I didn't think we'd be here this long, honesty. 5 years seemed like a long ways away...and here we are after 8 years.
So back to the question, what's it like? This past year has taught me more than the 7 prior to it. I have been able to see that the longevity in our service here has led to the lessons I've learned & my ever growing understanding of what ministry really is. The rewards we've experienced would not have come to us had we 'moved on.'
We've been through a switch in senior pastors (aka bosses), many building renovations, church name change & church debt paid off. We've seen a group of people grow together over the years & we've seen our church grow in community service as well as internal numbers. We've seen people come, we've seen people go, we've seen people come back after leaving. We've witnessed people first grab hold of the understanding of God's grace & love...receive salvation. We've seen people grow in that abundantly, and we've seen people fade from that. We've seen first hand God's power in people, seen miracles and simply amazing things. We have witnessed many seasons in people's lives, discipling them along the way. We've rejoiced with people, mourned with people. We've made friends, we've lost friends...and then we've made some more friends on top of it. We grew a family away from our blood family, slowly but surely.
Ministry is not having money. It's not having a huge house & abundantly nice worldly possessions. It's not butterflies, sticker parties & happiness all of the time. It's not about growing our own name, having fame or being known. It's not perfect. It's tough. Really tough.
Ministry means missing our families on a daily basis. It means we're missionaries to kids here in MI, far away from the people we grew up loving. It means constantly learning humbling lessons. It means being frustrated at times, just as much as it means being fulfilled at other times. It means sticking around when the going gets tough. It means caring for people more than they care for us. It means we sacrifice what we might want to tell people about Jesus. Because He is all that matters, and where He wants us is all that matters.
Ministry for us is discipleship...sticking by people through the seasons in their lives and loving on them. It means we're on call 24/7. It means we're servants to our community, advocates for those who are in need. It means we MUST live our lives, 100% in integrity. It means we're constantly watched & sometimes criticized. But it also means that we have an incredible support system at the same time.
I know people have expected us to 'move on' by now. In fact, I expected that we would not have been here as long as we have. But God has had us here not only to help others, but to teach us valuable lessons in our own personal lives & to grow our relationships with Him in ways we didn't see coming. I don't know how long we will be here at our church home of Vision Pointe, but I do know we're blooming where we've been planted. I heard that phrase years back...'bloom where you're planted', but this year it has sunk deep inside of me.
This past year I have been re-focused & rejuvenated. This past year I have felt more at home here than any of the previous years. I've truly embraced blooming where God has planted us. And that is the best feeling ever. To be used, and to flourish, where God has clearly called us, living moment by moment. Yeah, it's tough, but seriously thrilling. Following God is quite thrilling...never a dull moment. :)
But ultimately, ministry is knowing God and making Him known. Above all, that's what it is. There's nothing better than that, despite the sacrifices. It's all so so very worth it. Living life in service to the God who has done so much for us is beyond better than what I could have planned for on my own. I know our lessons aren't over yet, and neither is our ministry. In fact, I do believe it's still just beginning.
....And now, a grainy old Polaroid from our first day at our church. We look so young!
