November 22nd, 2011
Over the past year and a half, the list of things I am thankful for has changed and grown. When expressing thanks, I often find myself using the phrase “it’s the little things.” Those things that are often overlooked, often brushed past or unnoticed have felt like milestones in this church starting journey. I want to share a few of those things with you. . . .
- When I hear someone at The Well say “our church” or “we need to . . . ” (reminds me that we are in this together, something I find very comforting!)
- Hugs from friends who are glad to see me
- The encouragement of those who follow this blog, and share their own insights through email, in person or by commenting
- The sharing of fresh insights into the story of scripture (“I’ve never thought of it this way before, but…”)
- The realization of what we can do if we each share a small amount (from great potluck dinners to providing for a neighbor in need)
- A place to meet that immediately felt like “home” to us
- People eager to partner and “plot goodness” with us
- Words like “next year, we should…” (reminds me that a faith community has taken shape and is anticipating the future – thanks be to God!)
- Countless impromptu conversations with strangers who quickly became friends
- The helpful hands of family and friends (including parents who care for our children after school at least one afternoon every week!)
- Kevin’s words when he gets home from work almost every single night: “I’m always glad to get home to my family.” (this time last year, he was still commuting from Atlanta!)
It’s all of these little things that add up to one big sense of awareness that God is with me/us on the journey. I pray for greater awareness of these not-so-small reminders, and for the wisdom to pause and give thanks.
Susan Rogers is pastor of The Well, a church plant in Jacksonville, Florida. This post is from her blog, “Losing and Finding.”
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November 17th, 2010
Wherever we find ourselves on life’s journey, there are some powerful words I believe we all long to hear. Hearing them lately has reminded me of why. It first happened during a recent night out with other moms. I was introducing myself and sharing a little about our recent move and about how Kevin was still working in Atlanta. When I was finished, two of the women seated around me commiserated, sharing about their situations. One woman’s husband is in the military and he gets home every 6 months (talk about getting a little perspective!) and the other’s husband has to work very long hours. In the midst of listening to them share, I felt less alone. It was as if upon hearing my story, they were saying “yeah, me too.”
It happened again today when I ran into two ministers that I first met a couple of months ago. They asked me what I had been up to and I replied that I was still gathering, learning, and discerning for this new church start (they could probably hear the impatience in my tone!). They said, “us too.” Although they are not starting a new work, they shared how their ministry is always a work in progress. It made sense to me, and it also made me smile. Yeah, them too.
I guess the power in “me, too” is the subtle reminder that we are not alone. Somewhere deep down we tend to think we are the only ones experiencing heartache and impatience; however, “me too” reminds us that we are in the company of fellow strugglers who also feel, think and experience the ups and downs of the journey.
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September 10th, 2010
On my 32nd birthday, I found myself sitting in the auditorium of the McAfee School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, preparing to begin my first semester as a full-time seminary student. After getting married, having two children and working as an occupational therapist for nine years, I determined that God was calling me into vocational ministry. Unlike many other students, I had not just finished an undergraduate program. Unlike many other students, I immediately left my classes to pick up children from school. Unlike many other students, I came to seminary with no particular sense of direction for my future in ministry. After years of doing all I could to fit in, I realized that I had decided to do something out of the box.
I actually first realized this some months before when we told friends and family that we would be moving to Atlanta so that I could attend seminary. Although I received much encouragement, I also received concern (“gosh, I hope everything works out”) and astonishment (“I wish I had the courage to do what you all are doing”). It was clear that my adulthood call to ministry placed me in a category of people who were brave, but also a little out of the ordinary.
After completing seminary and a pastoral residency at Peachtree Baptist Church, I once again discerned that God was leading in a somewhat unconventional direction. On July 1, 2010, I became the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida’s first strategic church planter. I have returned to my hometown of Jacksonville to start a new faith community in the area. As if being a second career seminary student/mom was not enough, now I find myself in the mysterious work of planting a new faith community. As if being a woman in ministry was not distinguishing enough, now I find myself embarking on the risky work of exploring new ways to “be” the church.
In a recent conversation, a friend looked me in the eye and said, “you really like to do things the hard way, don’t you?” That remark has remained in the forefront of my mind. Am I just stubborn? Do I just like a challenge? Is there an easier and better way to live out my calling? These are the questions I can’t help but ask myself as I face the challenges that are a result of the path I have chosen. Certainly, there is an easier way, and although I will face difficulty, failure and rejection, I am confident that each of our particular paths are not traveled in vein. Even when the road seems dimly lit and the path seems less traveled, may you and I have the courage to embrace our unique ministries.
Susan Rogers is a church planter with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida, living in Jacksonville. Follow her journey on her blog: http://susanharrisrogers.blogspot.com/2010/09/truth-of-matter.html.
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Over the past year and a half, the list of things I am thankful for has changed and grown. When expressing thanks, I often find myself using the phrase “it’s the little things.” Those things that are often overlooked, often brushed past or unnoticed have felt like milestones in this church starting journey. I want to share a few of those things with you. . . .