This week has been a week of random LIFE TEST for me, several people at Journey and a couple sent to Rochester for medical needs. In all of this I have seen God work in amazing ways, ways that I never could have planed, imagined or dreamed up.
This past weekend we held our annual Leadership Advance and as a group we explored some test that the church is facing now and some that are almost for sure going to come our way as we add a second service, increase of discipleship efforts, and continue to intentionally reach out to our city. What was so great this weekend was how the team openingly saw the test, and refused to fear them or retreat from them. Instead we prayed, ripped things apart and put them back together so that we had the best chance to pass test, What is driving the team in these current test and future test, is a passion for the lost and for God.
My test in this continues to be how do I best lead. I dream big dreams, I believe in a big God wanting to do what seems like impossible.... everyday. My test is to navigate that, teach that and be sensitive to my leaders, the family of God at Journey and of course the Holy Spirit. I can push to hard and snap people.... which equals a failure.
Or I can lead with purpose and passion... success.
Finally, I have the pleasure of getting to know a young couple that had to come to Rochester for medical advice, only to find that things may be more serious. I have seen them step into this serious and emotional test with grace and strength that can only come from God.
I have seen a two local churches communicate better because of the need. And I have seen two churches, three states away, link up and love on this couple.
Test are not fun most of the time, but it’s very exciting to see God do his thing if we step into the test and do all that we can. Test results are not all in yet on any of these random test.
Will the team really lead strong, take risk and stay on mission as we grow?
Will I cast vision, lead and explain things well or end up being too soft or too hard?
Will this couple feel lost and alone or love and cared for over the long haul of treatment, miles and uncertainty?
Oh God grant us wisdom in these test and what is yet unseen.
Generis
About Me
- Rich
- Rich Bontrager serves as the lead Pastor of Journey Church in Rochester, MN, which is focused at reaching young adults. Rich is church planter at heart and has a dream of seeing more churches planted along Interstate I-90 (MN & Iowa). In 2009 Journey planted the Crux Church in Faribualt, MN and in the fall of 2011 Journey will give birth to it’s second daughter church in Stewertville, MN. Rich loves to travel and speak with young adults about boldly making an impact in the world today for Christ. In 2010 Journey opened up the Uturn Coffeehouse & Event Center. Rich and his wife Cyndi, have three daughters Abbi, Sarah and Hannah.
1 comment:
Financial life test are never fun to face.
Over the last year Journey has been blessed with numeric growth, spiritual and leadership growth and financial growth. In the four years since we publicly launched the church and five years since we began planning and preparing for Journey... God has always provided for our family needs and church needs.
Since the start of 2008 everyone has felt the sting of financial test and troubles. Gas prices continue to rise, food prices rise, school fees rise and on and on. The last 8 weeks our attendance has been higher than ever and yet now we are seeing a financial short fall like we have never ever faced. We are running extremely tight as a church and therefore we are even tighter as a family. Financial test are very hard to handle day after day because the effect so many areas in our lives. We want to reach our city for Jesus, we want to make a lasting impact in peoples lives.... but we are often limited by what we financially can put forward.
I have no great insights today.
I have no raw raw speech to inspire.
Today is just random posting on a serious issue that is effecting everyone. So I simply ask that you passionately pray, cry out to God to provide our financial needs both as a church and a family.
"May God grow us all to be generous, risk taking givers that walk in faith and see God provide beyond our wildest dreams."
Post a Comment