looking to fall

Summer has been nice. It has been a great change of pace compared to the rest of the ministry year, busy but different. Looking ahead to the fall, I know that it too will be different compared to what we've experienced thus far. I anticipate it to be an exercise in balance. It will be a balance between what we've been done all year (Bible studies, working at the Firehouse, and hanging out), the worship gathering we started this summer, and what we will add in the fall.

I mostly envision the addition of my Americorp grant to be the big wild card for balance. I received a part-time grant to do community organization in my neighborhood. This will add 20 hours a week to my schedule. My hope is that some of those 20 hours will be absorbed into existing activities, but that is yet to be determined. Ultimately it means defining or redefining what "ministry" means; what it means to me; what it means to the CRC; and what it means to everyone else. Does community organization or making coffee or volunteering fit into my calling as a missional pastor creating a new church? Answering this question is important to my relationship w/ those who support me, to our budding church, to my integrity as a pastor in the CRC, and most importantly to my call to be obedient to God's calling on my life and the life of my family.

To me the answer comes from meditating on the "Great Commission" from Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...(NIV)" A better translation would be "AS YOU GO make disciples of all nations..." As I go and do what I do in different settings, my call is to make disciples, build up the church that He has called me to pastor, and love Him, while I love others in His name. Definitions of "ministry" for organizations will vary, but to me it all goes toward fulfilling the Great Commission. So navigating and balancing my time this fall between different organizations and commitments will become a matter of translation and integrity. May He be glorified as we navigate the balance.