What's Goin' On

If you know me, you know that this is my favorite time of year.  I know that calendar says September...but in my heart it says, "Happy New Year!"  This is the time when everything is new.  We start up new ministries, new grades in school, new activities, and new anxieties.  I'm glad to report that for me personally-I'm experiencing very few anxieties.  But some people near and dear to me are.  This "New Year" can bring on thoughts of "how will I get this all accomplished," or "what if I fail?"  It can make people wonder where their "place" is in ministry or "what in the world is God doing?"  

I heard a song today called "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing."  Despite my distaste for Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy," this song by SheDaisy really spoke to me. The Bible tells us not to worry.  We learn that it is a waste of our energies-and yet so much of life is caught up in worry and stress.  We worry and gripe about everything from traffic to child trafficking.  How do we cross the bridge from worry to care to action?  It's senseless to worry but we are supposed to care. And if we really do care about something then it's useless unless we take action.

I'm trying to figure out something in my head about church.  Right now we're in this predicament where we've got great leadership but not enough volunteers for children's ministries (probably most ministries, honestly).  So the simple answer is, "not enough help-programs go away."  It seems like a very non-stressful, let's not worry about it, it's just this season, kind of resolution.  But then I got to thinking, what happens when a big church with a reputation for great children's programming ceases to have great children's programming?  How are we meeting the Spiritual needs of kids-for that matter, what are the Spiritual needs of kids? So as the scenario unfolds, what happens when families who want strong kids programs begin to look elsewhere for a church that offers them.  I'm guessing people leave, which equals, less volunteers, less leadership, more people leave, etc.  People go, money goes, and even though I think we don't like to admit it...money is pretty important to church.  The whole thing is kinda scary, a little anxiety producing actually.  

I attend a church I really like.  I have church family that is extremely supportive and loving.  I think I want my kids to grow up in this church body.  My "stay in a safe bubble" personality says, "stay put-don't look anywhere else for programs. If our church doesn't have the programs, then that's too bad I guess my kids won't have a youth group."  But, we are supposed to be the BODY of Christ.  I don't believe that means just my church is it's own "body."  Our church is supposed to be part of a world wide body of Christ.  For three years I tried to get other churches in our town involved in a "community ministry" that we offered at NFC.  It didn't really work.  No matter how much we go on and on about being ONE church with many different buildings-I couldn't hardly get a single soul that had their "own church body" to step into our building.  Some did, and for those few-I thank you.  We could NOT have done it without your help and your willingness to step outside your "safe bubble."  

But back to the current issue-what's next?  Do we beg and plead for individuals to volunteer?  How do we make them hear The Spirit saying, "kids are important, teach kids, love children, take care of their Spiritual needs, give our leadership support."  Is this what The Spirit is saying?  Or are their different answers out there... answers that might have to do with becoming much more like the true Body of Christ.  Answers that don't leave us worrying 'bout a thing.