Knowing It All

I am not a very patient person - and that is an understatement.  I do not like waiting my turn to gas up my car, I go grocery shopping at odd hours so I don't have to wait in line at the register, I would rather take the long way home than drive in traffic, and I refuse to stand in line early for anything.  I want whatever it is I think I need and I want it now!

Previously I checked out the website of the church I went to as a kid, and I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw.  I saw a completely renovated site, new staff positions, a clear vision - and most importantly, success.  It was weaved all through their website and Facebook page.  This is a church that has it together, they know what they're doing, where they're going and just how to get there!  I was/am so excited for them and excited that I was able to be a part of that church in its early and developing stages.

And then the pangs of jealousy began to course through my blood.  That was something I wanted to be a part of!  They are organized, unified, and ready to change the world for Jesus, and I want to be a part of it!  After all, I have been in ministry for a year and a half, I am experienced, I know what a 21st century Children's Ministry is supposed to look like, and how it is supposed to function.  I know that in order to help kids develop a faith they keep forever you have to build relationships and partner with parents.  I know you have to have super cool worship, engaging story time and most importantly - small groups!

I knew I was ready for the big show, I was ready to head out into the world of big churches and do important stuff!  They don't need me here in Clarksville, someone else can do what I do easily enough.  So I was ready to pack my bags, move my wife and ministry somewhere else where it would be cooler, and bigger and shinier!  I knew I was ready.

...Notice how I write in the past tense?  There is a good reason for that.

I get back from my lunch break and the Senior Minister says "Hey Tim! Why don't you step into my office for a moment?"

Uh-oh.

You see, volunteers in my ministry came to him to tell him about me.  Apparently, I don't have listening skills.  My volunteers have been telling me for weeks about three simple changes that needed to be made to make their life easier - but I didn't listen.  I knew that my reasons for not doing those three simple things were solid.  I didn't think a minute inconvenience would really bother anyone.  Besides, I am ready for bigger and better things, I know it all!

Well, I was quite wrong.  I don't know everything.  The moment you come to a point where you think you know everything is the moment when you know you are the most wrong.  There is nothing holding me back from being the best Children's Minister ever. Nothing other than me.

It's important to remember that even though the parts of ministry change, the base principles remain.  That's what I have to learn.  I am up to date on the newest and coolest ways to do children's ministry, but if I don't have a solid base, it won't matter how up to date the parts of my ministry are.  If I have my eyes too far ahead, I am bound to trip over what is right in front of me.

I don't know it all.  You don't either. 

Jesus does know it all, and he is in charge.

Never forget that.