God has a way of getting us to do stuff we don't want to do.As of January 3rd, 2010. I am no longer a part of the core leadership team of the Lord's Church. God has a way of taking us down paths we do not choose. So now, I am a part of the leadership team of the Bowie Church of Christ. We merged churches. Merging churches is MUCH better than a church split. It is also a little better than disbanding a church. I have been a part of both and they are not fun. For me personally, I went down the merge path kicking and screaming.... only a few people would fully understand this childish, emotional reaction, and I really do appreciate those few people!
What is my exact leadership role? Well, basically, I simply want to do what I would do and have done since I became a Christian many years ago: Love God and Love people. However, the people I want to focus on in ministry are young people - more specifically young adults; people between the ages of say 17 and 25 years old - including those that attend the local college and universities. I work at a University so it is logical since I have the opportunity to interact with these young, idealistic, energetic age group. I consider it a great privilege to be able to serve and love any of these young people - any that God will allow me to.
I know myself - I will work hard for God in whatever task he gives me to do. And yet, this is NOT the exact path I would have chosen. If you have ever had this experience, then you know what I mean. Since we all only have one shot through life, then my encouragement is to live and embrace whatever God gives you to do with all your heart. This is what I plan to do and if anyone cares to help, please let me know. If you are undergoing your own unplanned and unanticipated future, then embrace it, embrace those that God used to bring about the change (Read the story of Joseph, Genesis chapters 37 - 50) because they probably were not trying to cause you or anyone else any stress. (It is true that Joseph's brothers did mean to cause stress, but my basic point is to embrace the change that you did not plan.)
Finally, if you have faith in God, I ask that you pray for this next era in my life. I don't know what God will do with it, but I hope to be open and fully available to God for his purposes.
