learning some things

Just finishing up my first ever vacation week as the lead pastor. I sure learned a lot. I learned that it's much easier to leave your head "at the office" when you're working to serve another man's vision. It's a whole new ballgame when it's your own vision - the thing you believe God has called you to do with all your heart - on the line. I also learned that when the church office is in your house, you better get out of said house if you want a real vacation. I learned that immediately after a team milestone is no time for the team's leader to drop off the radar.

I learned a few other specifics too, but none of them are as important as the overall principle God taught me. I'm the leader round here. Yeah, that's a "duh" statement. But it's something God needed me to teach me first-hand.

Now, I'm not saying that my team dropped the ball and the wheels fell off this week. Far from it. I'm just saying that I can feel that we could have built more on Easter's momentum had I been on task this week and that in this very young stage of our church, my team needs me at these crucial times.

I'm going to be out again this coming weekend preaching at Freedom Valley in Gettysburg and I'm glad for the opportunity to serve Pastor Gerry and that wonderful church he leads, but my heart will still be in Tulsa with our growing little group we call Freedom Valley Church in Tulsa, OK.