Filed under: Church Planting, Family | Tags: Church Planting, friend, friendship, pastor's wife
Last week, I mentioned that one of the goals I want to focus on more is investing in my friendships. I would say that generally, I’m a pretty friendly person. But one thing I have learned about myself over the years is that it is hard for me to make close friendships. In fact, there are times when I wonder if I would even want to be my friend. Wow…now that’s a ringing endorsement!
In all seriousness, though, life as a “pastor’s wife” can sometimes make investing in friendships difficult. Jason and I have lived in Lafayette for about 3 1/2 years now, and it’s the longest we’ve lived anywhere since we’ve been married. I do not regret a single part of the journey that God has taken us on since we said “I do”, but we have had a lot of transition. The first ministry we had, there weren’t a lot of women close to my age…and I didn’t really have any close friends. When we moved back to our hometown, I developed friendships with several women…but then we moved away two years later. I was very bittersweet, and a big part of me was hurt…crushed even, at the loss of those friendships. Sure, we still keep in touch–but of course it’s not the same as it was when we were geographically close.
I am now confident that we are placed right where God wants us for the long-term, yet I still find myself extremely guarded. It’s almost as if I don’t get to close to anyone, I won’t let myself get hurt again. But what I have realized is if I try to guard myself like that, God can’t use me to my fullest. Not only will I miss out on the blessing of true friendship, but He can’t use me for His purpose if I am not willing to “put myself out there”.
So this year, I am going to be more intentional about investing in relationships with those around me. Sometimes, being friends with “the pastor’s wife” can be difficult. Yes…our husbands have strange schedules that make getting together difficult at times because sometimes we just need “family time”. Other times we have to cancel because something has come up and our husbands need to be available. But beyond all that, we’re just women who deal with the same stuff…the same insecurities…the same fears…the same challenges…as every other woman and mother out there.
Filed under: Church Planting | Tags: Church Planting, Connexion Christian Ministries
Sunday we held our Open House at Connexion. It was a great time for people to come see the building and get to know us in a very non-threatening environment. We had homemade pizza made in our “on-site pizza oven” (our building used to be a restaurant/bar/catering venue). It was VERY yummy!
I snapped a few pictures before things got started (on my phone- so they aren’t great quality). Once people were there, I didn’t really think too much about it! You can get a glimpse of our cafe…it is pretty much done, with just a little bit more decorating to be finished.
Filed under: Church Planting | Tags: children's ministry, Church Planting, Connexion Christian Ministries, Lafayette
Yes, I know…I haven’t posted anything in a week! Last week was probably one of the most exhausting yet exilerating weeks I’ve had…ever.
Connexion has been so blessed with an incredible launch team. It is amazing to think that we only got into our building 3 weeks ago. Countless hours of work have gone into transforming our children’s area, the Connexion Cafe, the worship area for our “soft launch” this past Sunday. Here’s a very small glimpse of some of the prep in the children’s area (thanks to Abbie for taking my picture from a very flattering angle!). Blake (in the green on the right) did an AMAZING job using his artistic talents for this area. I hope to have pictures of the final “product” later this week–my camera was dead on Sunday!
Sunday was amazing. The energy of our launch team was contagious. Over 90 people came to worship at Connexion’s first public service, and we can already see God working through our obedience to Him. I am SO excited to watch the barriers break down, to see people come to know Christ in an authentic way and for kids to be on fire about their faith. It is such a privelege to work alongside people who are pumped to make a difference in this city…who really want to put other people first and consider them more important than us…who want to turn the world upside down because our lives have been turned upside down by God.
Filed under: Church Planting | Tags: Lafayette, connexion, Connexion Christian Ministries, Indiana
Sherry posted this over the weekend on her blog, and I thought I would share it with you too. A little “virtual tour” of Connexion Place – the downtown campus of Connexion Christian Ministries.
Our “soft launch” for Connexion is in 12 days, and and our volunteers have been working day and night to finish all the preparations for our new location in Downtown Lafayette! It is a great building, and after transforming some of the space…will be a ton of fun for our kids too!
Here is the outside…(of course, a new sign has been ordered.)
We are located in downtown Lafayette, on Columbia Street–one of the main streets to cross over the river into West Lafayette.
Here is our Worship Area…it will be set up coffee house style with people sitting around tables up front and then rows of chairs in the back.
Now, here are two pictures of where our 3-5 year olds will be. This will be transformed into a jungle room…this is the room I am most excited to see! This room actually used to be a commercial kitchen…but we’ve been blessed with people that have vision and are creative…the kids are going to LOVE it! (Thanks Jason for the nice pose there, too).
This room is there all of our 1st -5th graders will worship and participate in the KIDMO experience…This will be transformed into a “beach” themed room, and be getting vinyl window coverings for added security .
And, last, but not least, the Connexion Cafe, where coffee and pastries will be served. We eventually hope to open up during the week for WI-FI and free coffee.
I’m looking forward to showing you the “after” pictures in a couple of weeks! Please keep us in your prayers as we work to finalize all the details and work towards our launch on December 7th.
Filed under: Church Planting, Thankful Thursday | Tags: Thankful Thursday, Add new tag, connexion, Church Planting, launch
Another random installment of Thankful Thursday! Life is pretty crazy right now. We are 17 days away from our soft launch at Connexion, so the preparations are full speed ahead!!! Even though it is crazy, I am very thankful for so much right now!
- I am so blessed to be a part of a group of people who’s greatest desire is to reach the unreached and connect the unconnected…and really live that out, no matter what.
- Our launch team is amazing. I am so thankful for everyone who is putting in countless hours to make December 7th a reality.
- We are blessed to have Jason and Sherry in our lives. It is so nice to have another “ministry/church planting wife” to live life with…plus our kids adore their kids!
- The prayer support and financial support from friends and family across the country that allowed Jason to come onboard in September.
- I continue to stand in awe at how God has worked out the details-and continues to do so.
- My husband - who is doing exactly what God has uniquely created him to do. I never cease to be energized by his passion for this community.
- My kids- for keeping me grounded during the crazy excitement of the preparations for our launch.
- Some rest is coming amidst the craziness next week, when we travel and spend some time with family and friends.
