End of Year Reflections
Well, this is the last day of 2012. The end of the world prediction was wrong AGAIN. So here I go, these are a few reflections from the last year. It is hard thinking through the year as I get older it seems that time blends more. Odd.
1. I took my last class in March for the D.Min program. It was a great class with Dr. Huffard on leadership. It inspired me to do a better job of leading, as well as mentoring. Like all good things, I wish I was more systematic in this process. I will miss these classes, and in the future will probably travel back to audit some more.
2. Castle Rock continues to be a successful work. The ABC’s of church here are going well. This means we have good attendance, the building is in great shape, we have two guys that do an excellent job on the outside and inside, and we have recording breaking contribution levels. My work is going well. The relationship with the elders is strong, and there is continued low negative comments from the members. Castle Rock is an excellent place to be. The only major struggles have been the amount of turn over in the congregation. People are always moving in and out of this community. This is hard on me. Mostly because I love these people. Also, we always are pushing against the 200 barrier. This can be stressful. Mostly we are too big to be small and too small to be big. If you have ever dealt with this dynamic, it usually burns the minister out in two years, well I have been doing it for 4 years so far.
3. My relationships seem good. I like the people at church. My wife and I are doing well. The kids are doing great. All is good.
4. I speak all the time around the nation. My travel timetable is intense. I never thought I would get as many invites as I do. Fortunately my elders allow me to speak as much as I like as they see this as part of my work in the Lord. But I am realizing that being gone too much is not good for the work in Castle Rock. I am thankful to speak, and love doing this. It might all slow down some, the spring is busy again, but the fall is free.
5. My hobbies are great. I have rock climbed, hiked 11 peaks in the summer, started running, still lifting weights, and reading. It is fun.
6. Goals for the next year. Finish the dissertation, start writing a book, lose some body fat, run a 10k fast, hike 9 more peaks, run LTC, help organize the congregation to break through the 200 barrier.
7. People I am thankful for. My wife, my kids, my elders, my friend Greg Tidwell, my secretary, my friends Nick and Martin, who hike with me, my friend Ty would works out with me. People who do ministry well, my friends Travis, Rory, Jason, Mullins boys, and Jon. Thankful for people who make it happen.
8. People who I will miss. My dear former mentor Burnice Wesbrooks, it has been a few years now, and I still miss him. My friend Scott who moved, he was my rock climbing friend, Curtis, he moved too, he was my cool friend, he played in the NFL and it was cool being his friend. My Grandfather, he died, he was one of a few Canadians who fought in WWII on the front lines and lived.
9. Ministry is a roller-coaster. I am thankful that I get to ride!
Related posts:
- Reflections on A Year With Castle Rock
- Review of “A Year of Living Biblically”
- A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU
- Seven Year Sabbaticals
- A Prayer of a Two Year Old.
About The Author
We dealt with the 200 barrier a few years ago. It’s a challenge to get the congregation to understand why things have to change to keep growing but it’s doable. We’re over 300 with two services now.