by AJ Sherrill (Trinity Grace Church Chelsea)
The most unexpected challenge I’ve faced in church planting is permitting myself grace for the journey. The most devastating (in a good way) reality I have learned thus far is that although I have a mission to my neighborhood, God’s mission never stops being me (i.e. my heart, my development, my motivations, etc.). This means that God will continue to get our attention through perceived failure as well as success.
The advice I give to a new church planter is to not take yourself so seriously. Although ministry is a serious endeavor as we strive to reach the goals we set, give yourself the same grace that you often give to others. See yourself as a working project that God is still committed to shaping. And above all, remember that Jesus is more passionate about Kingdom work than you are. So enjoy life, commit yourself to the Kingdom, work whole-heartedly, but permit God to bear the fruit.
Andrew Ryan Shepherd
Video Director & Producer, Photographer, Graphic Designer
1 Comment
So true AJ! Love reading this; not so easy to live through this though. Thanks for the encouragement. So thankful to God. Grace abounds.