When my wife and I attend a church, we like to serve. For the last 6 years, we've served in youth and in worship arts areas of a local church, enthusiastically as leaders.
Yet, we sensed that our time at this particular church was complete – that we had been called to the church for a season – and that time was over.
As individuals and families, we're drawn to a church through the relationships we have. Friends, family, acquaintances give us a familiar face to look for when we first attend as a guest. As we get to know more people, it becomes more like family. As we start to serve, we become more like staff – and the relational aspect has the potential to change. It's the last stage that can bring joy and sorrow into our lives, if the relationships are not maintained, if trust is not established early on. We lose sight of relationships when programs become more important than people.
But now it's time to move on, we've been lead to a different church, pastored by one of the most humble and self-deprecating individuals I've had the privilege of knowing. He and his wife are dear friends; we've known them for years – we trust them and are confident in his exposition of God's Word.
But what's different this time, is that instead of jumping in and volunteering, we're going to – even need to – wait. And I'm OK with that.
God asks us to wait for Him, to listen to Him, and to obey Him. We're going to be guests again, as we get to know a new family.
