Onward and Out

Joining up with the lovely Shanda yet again for on Your Heart Tuesdays...

I just read a friend's blog... please take a read before reading below...



First off, what a lovely written piece.

Secondly I have an announcement, one of which I am slightly scared to announce yet know that my news is one that God has confirmed...

I have served in college ministry for almost two years. Graduating from college at the age of 21 and having to start working has often left me out of the loop in terms of understanding or of getting the opportunity to really enjoy the fun as most other people my age. I've always had to work and was a business major... leaving me often more business minded than absent minded. Yet for a time being I loved being around people my age, even younger. Before serving in leadership, I attend the college nights at church but more often than not found myself not only sitting alone week after week, but even being ignored by the very little people I did know... either they didn't see me or didn't want to. I was extremely disheartened because I was a church and was invisible.

After meeting someone in the ministry we shared stories over coffee and she invited me to join and to begin serving, I was hesitant but I joined by serving in the kitchen. I loved making and serving food and it also allowed me to hide in the kitchen. I loved serving with the people that I did...
I soon became involved in leading a small group and in prayer counseling and then eventually started heading up my own ministry with the college group.

But after almost two years of serving and after much prayer and several conversations, I recently stepped down. Not out of bitterness or resentment, but out of knowing God was confirming that I should be serving in another ministry. But while the decision was easy in that not only had the ministry become filled with cliques and gossip, but it had also continued to make others feel the way that I did when I first started attending. I watched people get left out, made fun of, and even talked about. Was I guilty of any of these things and some point... I am sure I was, but the difference was that I recognized the problem and brought it up again and again. But sometimes I believe that we can become comfortable... too comfortable and don't desire change, probably one of our greatest human flaws. I was attempting to be the change that I wished to see in the ministry, but was rather met with being ignored and overlooked... leadership position or not I felt as though I had no voice.

I stepped down and was met with loving arms in another ministry. I am daily challenged with new and difficult tasks and am building and growing myself. I have no bitterness or resentment towards the ministry because God confirmed over several months that I wasn't supposed to be there.

I hope and pray the best for the ministry and that change can begin to happen. I ask that you pray as well...