The second year for me was a year that I had to learn how to let go. E and I spent two years before our Grand opening preparing and creating and developing High Point. All of it was dependant on her or me. This last year so many people jumped on board to do and be apart of what we were doing that things were happening around the church I didn’t know about. (In a good way) volunteers were jumping all over and teams were created and true life and community was being fostered and created.
One story that sums up year two for me was a few months ago. We were having a Red Cross Blood drive and I was running around making sure that things were as they should be. In the hustle and bustle I misplaced my notes. However I didn’t think to look for them until E was about ready to take the offering. Uh OH... Now many people I know are able to preach without notes. It is my goal to get there, but I am not there yet. Needles to say I was in a panic... went to the back saw a few church people and asked if they had seen it they went into a panic and searched all over... went to the sound cart and up by the presentation station. (I just made that up but I like it) No NOTES!
E was done and the intro video was finishing so I walked up to the front and said something like... "If you see my notes let me know." No one offered it up. Then I thought, well lets jump in. I started my message and I have to tell you it was kind of exciting. There was nothing between the audience and me. It was very exciting... I also noticed that the church was on the edge of there seats willing me on. It was so exciting.
Half way through the message I realized something. It might have been this way for a while But It took a "crisis" to realize what had happened. Up until this point most of the people who had been attending seemed to be there checking things out. Asking... do I fit, what’s with this guy up front, is this the place for me, I love these doughnuts. But in that moment more people were rooting for my success than were there to check me out. We had crossed a line where we truly have become a healthy community.
Year two was High Point becoming a community. People meet one another in connection groups and the lobby is abuzz in lively conversation and life. I love when people have to walk through it to go to movies because I want them to see and be attracted to a godly loving healthy church community.
Lessons Learned:
* Get the right people in the right places and everyone is happier
* Love people
* Be vulnerable even if it hurts
* Listen to criticism like you eat chicken... use your hands, stick to the actual meat and leave the bones and skin
* Trust those who have traveled the road with you and be wary the people who swoop in with all the answers
* Eat with your team
* You can never thank too much... (Thank you all who makes High Point the awesome community it is)
* Do things the way you want them done and don’t be afraid to ask people to re do it the way you want it done
* Church should be exciting because if it isn’t... It is dead... people experience enough death in there life throughout the week
* BLOG! - It is one of the greatest ways to pastor people because I can visit with people everyday
* Relax... this is a marathon not a sprint
* Get preaching breaks or your mind turns to mush
* ENJOY!
I really enjoyed this year. It has been my favorite... Until next year.
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