Lead Well

Photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash I’ve served at 4 different churches and deciding when it’s time to go is never an easy decision. Serving in ministry, we feel called to the city, the church, the people, and now that time may be coming to an end. For some, it’s like being hit by a Mack truck, others it’s a slow burn or something in between. Whatever it is, for better or worse, there will come a time for you to say goodbye. We are all itinerant ministers. There was probably someone before you, and there will most likely be someone after you. Even if you serve for 50 years in the same place, time and people move on. But how do you know when it’s time to move on? How do you know it’s a prompting from God and not your emotions getting the better of you? There are no simple solutions, and every situation is different. I know because the reason I’ve moved from each church has been for vastly different reasons. The list I’m giving isn’t exhaustive, but rather created from personal

Today is my 15th anniversary of vocational ministry. I owe my first job to Steve Lambert who saw potential in me and gave me a shot as a kid’s pastor. He paid for me to finish college, officiated my wedding, and gave my wife and I a place to live. I am forever thankful for his vision and generosity. May 12 of 2008, I was full of vim and vigor. I had so many dreams and passions. I remember telling my pastor that we were going to hit the ground running, and we did. In those first 12 weeks, I put on my first VBS with 100 kids and 50 volunteers and got married the following weekend. I can say that as the years have passed, things have not gotten any less exciting. My wife and I have had our ups and downs just like anyone else and now on the edge of a new ministry season, we are filled with as much passion as we were all those years ago. All that said, here are 15 things I've learned in 15 years of ministry. 1. Nothing is more important than your relationship with God.

So, I'm here at Camporama, and I find myself excited for what this week may hold. Camporama is a week long Royal Ranger camp out, where men and boys from all over the nation come out to celebrate all things Royal Ranger. This will be my fourth trip out here to Eagle Rock, MO, and my first trip as a commander. I'm excited to see what God may do in these boys lives over this week. Each night there is a service where there is a powerful move of God. When I came in 98, I was called into the ministry. I was about the same age as these boys that are with me. I feel as though now things have come full circle. This is the first time I've come and have fully answered God's call. I am so thankful, and would never have dreamed that I would be where I am today when He called me 14 years ago. This week will be fun but also challenging. I'm so looking forward to it. Have you ever revisited a place God spoke to you? Tell us about it in the comment section below.