12 7/8

On December 1, 2004, I received the news that the church at which I was working as an assistant minister would no longer be needing my services. Fired. Needless to say, this threw our world into a bit of a whirlwind as we now had to scramble to find a lot of answers to many questions. The biggest question was whether or not we would ever do this sort of ministry again, seeing as how it had burned us so badly.

Four long months later we visited a church in Indiana which was full of warm and loving people. We discovered that these folks had themselves been burned by this greatly flawed human enterprise known as "full-time ministry" (as if all other ministry does not require our full time). Their previous pastor had taken advantage of them and had left them empty, hurting and unprepared for tomorrow. This was a situation to which we could relate.

Coming from this history I did not expect to find such a treasure: this was a community of love, acceptance, faith and hope. Perhaps nobody had informed them of the psychobabble notion that they were entitled to a little resentment and even hatred. Or perhaps they considered their faith and regarded such notions for the crap that it is. These folks want to move on and move forward - they desire to make an impact on their world and do not see their situation as insignifigant.

So I think we'll join them and see what makes such people.

I hold fast to the belief that God does not send us hardships - this makes for a kooky view of God. But it does seem that he allows us to endure so that we might be ready for the task that lies ahead. I am convinced that he had hoped for good things for us by moving to Newnan - mostly, that it would not have ended so soon or with such a venemous send-off. Yet he has chosen not to control the outcome of everything, just the outcome of all things.

The contrasts between these two churches and communites could not be more defined or vast. However, these are ordinary laymen who figure they have been called to minister to all - not just those who vote on their salary. And so. . .yes, I think we'll join them.

Because this community in Twelve Mile seem to be big enough to be called Thirteen. We'll see. . .