Thinking about the summer, Erin read a verse during her devotions yesterday that is a great reminder of what it's all about. We've decided to connect with it as our theme verse for the summer.
"...Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
Now, we could just skip over the context of the verse and apply it directly to ourselves, but I'm not sure I like pulling verses out and applying them without noticing what's said around it. So here's the context. The temple was destroyed and the Israelites were returning from exile. They had begun to rebuild the temple...but eventually quit after being distracted with building their own houses. They became too busy with their own stuff and began neglecting God. God took his hand of blessing off from them, but in the midst of all of this a leader was raised up. Zechariah was a prophet who predicted the leader Zerubbabel would lay foundation and complete the rebuilding of the temple. The next verse (7) is cool too...it says "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground..."
For our own application of the verse? All I know is that it is a great reminder. Our thinking can shift so easily to ourselves, not necessarily in a positive stance. If we've had ideas that have seemed to flop, or a meeting doesn't seem to go as well as we'd hoped, or papers pile up and there doesn't seem to be enough time to get everything done in...we may start to wonder what we did wrong. Thoughts enter our minds like "Well, if only I had said this... Or maybe if I spoke up more, or less, or put forth more effort, or maybe my ideas weren't that great..." This verse serves as a reminder to us that it's really not about us at all. It's about God...it's not by our strength, or about the power we have or may want (or don't want), it really is by God's Spirit. See, in His power we can look at those mountains and watch as they become level ground.
It's so cool to shift our focus and align ourselves with God. I want my heart to beat with his...don't you?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Breathless
For the most part I'm still blown away by the chance I have to serve as an intern here at Willow Creek. I still remember how I felt when I got that first phone call from Ashley offering me the position. Breathless. God took my breath away with this blessing. I guess I'm still breathless when I think about it...completely humbled and wondering what God is doing in my life. I'm not sure I deserve all of this.
I'm still gaining my bearings around the church...learning where things are, figuring out the normal week to week administrative tasks I'll be doing, and learning everyone's names. I'm thrilled to be a part of the family like environment here and can't wait to get to know everyone better.
One of the goals for the end of this internship has become very clear to me this past week. Not only will I hopefully get to know the Promiseland team better, but I'll get to know who I am better as well. I'll gain confidence in leading out of my strengths and in who God has made me. It's going to be a tough process, but I just pray that by the end of these 3 months I will know how lead myself and through that will become a better leader, too.
One last thing before I go to bed. Though I'm still a little breathless by the chance to come here for the summer, God has presented another amazing opportunity. I've been offered the chance to submit an article for Christianity Today. It shouldn't be too hard to connect the dots between all the busyness and confusion that goes on during the week to how it all comes together and makes sense on the weekends...after all the kids are the purpose of everything going on and seeing them have a forever friendship with Jesus. I get to write an article about what I'm passionate about...how cool is that?
Erin has described these amazing opportunities as being flipped. She said that life can be going along as normal and then all of a sudden God just sort of flips you with something totally unexpected. What an awesome God!
I can't wait to see what I'll be learning next so stay tuned for more...(and next week I'll put up some pictures too)
I'm still gaining my bearings around the church...learning where things are, figuring out the normal week to week administrative tasks I'll be doing, and learning everyone's names. I'm thrilled to be a part of the family like environment here and can't wait to get to know everyone better.
One of the goals for the end of this internship has become very clear to me this past week. Not only will I hopefully get to know the Promiseland team better, but I'll get to know who I am better as well. I'll gain confidence in leading out of my strengths and in who God has made me. It's going to be a tough process, but I just pray that by the end of these 3 months I will know how lead myself and through that will become a better leader, too.
One last thing before I go to bed. Though I'm still a little breathless by the chance to come here for the summer, God has presented another amazing opportunity. I've been offered the chance to submit an article for Christianity Today. It shouldn't be too hard to connect the dots between all the busyness and confusion that goes on during the week to how it all comes together and makes sense on the weekends...after all the kids are the purpose of everything going on and seeing them have a forever friendship with Jesus. I get to write an article about what I'm passionate about...how cool is that?
Erin has described these amazing opportunities as being flipped. She said that life can be going along as normal and then all of a sudden God just sort of flips you with something totally unexpected. What an awesome God!
I can't wait to see what I'll be learning next so stay tuned for more...(and next week I'll put up some pictures too)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Dry...or drenched?
I heard of this example once, given by a pastor who spoke at our school during our spiritual emphasis week. He spoke about a fountain (or a well) and had an example of one on stage. He dipped his hand into the water and began to run out into the crowd trying to sprinkle water on as many people as he could.
This example was of God's love. He said that many times we dip our hands into God's love (the water) and run forward trying to share it with as many people as we can. What we don't realize is that our hands dry pretty quickly. We're so busy running forward that we don't stop to see how dry we've become...we just keep running trying to share something we don't have.
He said that instead of dipping our hands in once and running until we're dry, that we need to stay connected to the source of God's love. At this point in his example he stepped into the well and a shower up above turned on drenching him. He said this is how we should be when we're sharing God's love with others...totally overwhelmed and drenched in God's love. Truly connected to it, so much so that we won't become dry as we give it to others.
Why am I writing all of this? Because for a while now I feel as though I've been running dry. The end of the school year is a hectic time and without even realizing it I was wandering...it was becoming harder and harder to chat with God when I felt further and further away from him. I know that in reality he was always right there patiently loving me, guiding me, waiting for me to come back...to get connected to him once more.
Now I feel like I'm getting the chance to reconnect. I'm growing not only in my leadership skills, but also and probably more so in my relationship with God. I don't want to run around until my hands are dry any more...I want to be in the fountain.
This example was of God's love. He said that many times we dip our hands into God's love (the water) and run forward trying to share it with as many people as we can. What we don't realize is that our hands dry pretty quickly. We're so busy running forward that we don't stop to see how dry we've become...we just keep running trying to share something we don't have.
He said that instead of dipping our hands in once and running until we're dry, that we need to stay connected to the source of God's love. At this point in his example he stepped into the well and a shower up above turned on drenching him. He said this is how we should be when we're sharing God's love with others...totally overwhelmed and drenched in God's love. Truly connected to it, so much so that we won't become dry as we give it to others.
Why am I writing all of this? Because for a while now I feel as though I've been running dry. The end of the school year is a hectic time and without even realizing it I was wandering...it was becoming harder and harder to chat with God when I felt further and further away from him. I know that in reality he was always right there patiently loving me, guiding me, waiting for me to come back...to get connected to him once more.
Now I feel like I'm getting the chance to reconnect. I'm growing not only in my leadership skills, but also and probably more so in my relationship with God. I don't want to run around until my hands are dry any more...I want to be in the fountain.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Breaking Through
Before coming here I had heard both the good and the bad about Willow Creek. I had been to leadership summits, seen dvds and resources from here, and have read a ton of books written by Bill Hybels. What I didn't realize was how many preconceived notions I had already set in place, before I had ever even been to the church.
Having worked here for just a week I've come to realize how wrong some of those notions are. I didn't realize it much, but coming in I thought I'd have to appear perfect. That there was some standard or expectation I'd have to meet. I was intimidated and fearful before I ever got here and the doubts were pretty much fully formed. After all why would Willow Creek want me to come? I guess I was afraid that I wouldn't measure up...after all they're a church that is cutting edge, leading with strength and creativity. I was afraid to come here and feel like everyone I'd be working with would be way above my level.
After just a week of being here, getting to know everyone on the Promiseland team, and jumping in alongside them I've realized that I'm a very blessed girl. Yes the people I'm working with are extremly creative and incredibly smart...they're really know different than anyone else. They are pursuing the same passion I am, leading in their strengths and coming together as a team to reach the kids and their families. Everyone here is so loving and welcoming. I've only been here a week and I already feel like I'm a part of the team...like I've been here a long time.
Today I asked Erin and Beth (my host mom) something that's been on my heart coming into this internship. My question was "How do I gain or show confidence in things that I've had no experience with? I hate appearing like I don't have a clue how to do things at times, but I don't want to fake confidence when I haven't had the experience in it." Their answers helped me a lot. Erin told me that it's more important as a leader to be genuine. Even if it means appearing clueless at times. People don't want to follow a leader who thinks or acts like they know everything...they're looking for someone who is willing to be honest and upfront with them and to be willing to learn.
Beth told me that there wasn't any expectations or perfect standard to be fit by an intern here. She said that they're glad that I'm here, but it's not because they matched up my skills to what they were looking forin an intern...it's because God wants me here. There isn't a standard I need to live up to, but Erin and the rest of team is here to give me experience in things that will build my confidence and develop my leadership gifts. She said I should take the pressure off myself to be this 'ideal' leader I have in mind and that it's great to be a gentle quiet leader. I guess for a long time I've felt like to be a leader you need to be outspoken and upfront...but I'm realizing that this call to lead God has placed on my life is not a mistake. It'll be fun learning how to lead out of my strengths while I'm here for the summer.
Having worked here for just a week I've come to realize how wrong some of those notions are. I didn't realize it much, but coming in I thought I'd have to appear perfect. That there was some standard or expectation I'd have to meet. I was intimidated and fearful before I ever got here and the doubts were pretty much fully formed. After all why would Willow Creek want me to come? I guess I was afraid that I wouldn't measure up...after all they're a church that is cutting edge, leading with strength and creativity. I was afraid to come here and feel like everyone I'd be working with would be way above my level.
After just a week of being here, getting to know everyone on the Promiseland team, and jumping in alongside them I've realized that I'm a very blessed girl. Yes the people I'm working with are extremly creative and incredibly smart...they're really know different than anyone else. They are pursuing the same passion I am, leading in their strengths and coming together as a team to reach the kids and their families. Everyone here is so loving and welcoming. I've only been here a week and I already feel like I'm a part of the team...like I've been here a long time.
Today I asked Erin and Beth (my host mom) something that's been on my heart coming into this internship. My question was "How do I gain or show confidence in things that I've had no experience with? I hate appearing like I don't have a clue how to do things at times, but I don't want to fake confidence when I haven't had the experience in it." Their answers helped me a lot. Erin told me that it's more important as a leader to be genuine. Even if it means appearing clueless at times. People don't want to follow a leader who thinks or acts like they know everything...they're looking for someone who is willing to be honest and upfront with them and to be willing to learn.
Beth told me that there wasn't any expectations or perfect standard to be fit by an intern here. She said that they're glad that I'm here, but it's not because they matched up my skills to what they were looking forin an intern...it's because God wants me here. There isn't a standard I need to live up to, but Erin and the rest of team is here to give me experience in things that will build my confidence and develop my leadership gifts. She said I should take the pressure off myself to be this 'ideal' leader I have in mind and that it's great to be a gentle quiet leader. I guess for a long time I've felt like to be a leader you need to be outspoken and upfront...but I'm realizing that this call to lead God has placed on my life is not a mistake. It'll be fun learning how to lead out of my strengths while I'm here for the summer.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Promiseland: week 1
It's hard to believe my first week here is almost over! It's been amazing so far. The Bauer's have adopted me for the summer and their family is so great. Beth and Karl have two girls, Mattie who is 11 and Jaynie who's 8. I've connected to both really well. Tomorrow I'm going to Mattie's choir concert at school and Jaynie begs me to play the wii with her and to give her art lessons as well.
Last weekend was my first official one at church. I had my Promiseland interview at 4, met with Erin (my division leader/mentor) at 4:15, was in my first group huddle at 4:30 and took the safety class at 5. When that was finished I got my official picture ID and Erin had me sitting in on what is now called a 'super' group (a medium sized group of kids) before I knew it. Sunday was pretty much the same thing...I went to the huddles before both services, followed Erin around first service to get a feel for things and then second service I spent the hour with a couple special needs kids. It was a little challenging, but fun!
This week I started at church on Tuesday. It was a long day (9am-10pm), but I had a lot of fun. I'm learning so much already and we're just getting started. I'm learning a lot of the administration stuff that goes on here, but I'm also diving in right away on the art stuff. Right now I get the chance to create signs out of foam core that will be used for the mega fun move up weekend when the kids will move up to the next grade. It's a huge celebration weekend.
Erin and I also had a couple of meetings to go to. One was all of the grade level leaders. It was cool to hear all the ideas they had as they strategized and discussed the pros and cons behind the medium sized groups. I know once I'm more connected to things here I'll be able to add to the discussion more. The second meeting we went to was the one I learned the most at so far. It was all the K-1 coaches, administrators and trainors who came together. Erin explained some of the background of the group to me before the meeting and share with me her goals and strategies on how to get things back on track. There had been so many different division leaders over the years that eventually this group sort of lost sight of any clearly defined role of their positions. Erin had them brainstorming verbs that defined each role. At the next meeting she wants to lay down some clear expectations for what each role (coach, admin or trainer) does or is responsible for on a given Sunday (or Saturday). It was cool to see Erin's goal and how she kept redirecting the group in the process as they strayed off coarse.
Erin's been filling me in on a few of the things she wants to see happen with me this summer as well. I know there are some things that I lack confidence in, but she's hoping to stretch me and see me grow in these areas. I know she wants the best for me, which makes the possibility of failing a little less scary.
I'll end this post with the list of goals that she and I came up with for the summer.
-Learn the art aspects of ministry
-Develop leadership gifts
-Build confidence and gain experience in recruiting
-Work on building interpersonal relationships
-Gain more experience and knowledge in special needs ministry
-learn how to lead in different aspects (large groups, medium to small groups, huddles, service times, etc.)
-gain experience in relational and administrative aspects of ministry
-learn how to lead or relate staff meetings
I'll add more next week...
Last weekend was my first official one at church. I had my Promiseland interview at 4, met with Erin (my division leader/mentor) at 4:15, was in my first group huddle at 4:30 and took the safety class at 5. When that was finished I got my official picture ID and Erin had me sitting in on what is now called a 'super' group (a medium sized group of kids) before I knew it. Sunday was pretty much the same thing...I went to the huddles before both services, followed Erin around first service to get a feel for things and then second service I spent the hour with a couple special needs kids. It was a little challenging, but fun!
This week I started at church on Tuesday. It was a long day (9am-10pm), but I had a lot of fun. I'm learning so much already and we're just getting started. I'm learning a lot of the administration stuff that goes on here, but I'm also diving in right away on the art stuff. Right now I get the chance to create signs out of foam core that will be used for the mega fun move up weekend when the kids will move up to the next grade. It's a huge celebration weekend.
Erin and I also had a couple of meetings to go to. One was all of the grade level leaders. It was cool to hear all the ideas they had as they strategized and discussed the pros and cons behind the medium sized groups. I know once I'm more connected to things here I'll be able to add to the discussion more. The second meeting we went to was the one I learned the most at so far. It was all the K-1 coaches, administrators and trainors who came together. Erin explained some of the background of the group to me before the meeting and share with me her goals and strategies on how to get things back on track. There had been so many different division leaders over the years that eventually this group sort of lost sight of any clearly defined role of their positions. Erin had them brainstorming verbs that defined each role. At the next meeting she wants to lay down some clear expectations for what each role (coach, admin or trainer) does or is responsible for on a given Sunday (or Saturday). It was cool to see Erin's goal and how she kept redirecting the group in the process as they strayed off coarse.
Erin's been filling me in on a few of the things she wants to see happen with me this summer as well. I know there are some things that I lack confidence in, but she's hoping to stretch me and see me grow in these areas. I know she wants the best for me, which makes the possibility of failing a little less scary.
I'll end this post with the list of goals that she and I came up with for the summer.
-Learn the art aspects of ministry
-Develop leadership gifts
-Build confidence and gain experience in recruiting
-Work on building interpersonal relationships
-Gain more experience and knowledge in special needs ministry
-learn how to lead in different aspects (large groups, medium to small groups, huddles, service times, etc.)
-gain experience in relational and administrative aspects of ministry
-learn how to lead or relate staff meetings
I'll add more next week...
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