Sawyer, our nearly three year old enjoys watching ants and poking their castles. When he first discovered these little creatures from hell (that's why they are called fire ants by the way) I would alertly try and stop him from messing with them. I knew what he didn't yet know--fire ants hurt like, well, fire! But I eventually grew weary of trying to prevent him from experiencing the pain and since he was so determined to take the writer of Proverbs words of wisdom to heart: "Go to the ant you...", I decided that it was probably best that he learn the lesson first hand.
No matter how many seminars you attend, books you read, or counselors you seek there are some things you cannot learn any other way except by experience. Before Tracie and I set out on this adventure to replant a church two years ago in June 2013 we had nearly 18 years of ministry experience. I have attended numerous seminars and listened to countless sermons and messages. I got an M.Div from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and have completed a good portion of my Doctor of Ministry from Denver Seminary. I've read lots of books and written dozens and dozens of papers. But there are some things you can know but not know. To truly know things have to be lived. Over the next several posts I will be sharing some of the things that I've learned over the last two years--the first two years of replanting a church. Perhaps some things will make you laugh and hopefully something will encourage you. But even if none of that happens, it is good for me to process these last 730 or so days. I'll tell you now that they have been some of the most faith building days ever--even if we've been stung by a few fire ants along the way.
2 Comments
Patrick Miller
5/13/2015 04:05:18 am
Good stuff John
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Brad Mantzell
5/13/2015 10:22:27 am
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