I'mnotstressedI'mnotstressed.. weird...

Hello Emmanuel,

Have you ever felt like you were coasting through life?  Maybe things were going well or poorly, but you just were going through the motions of a period of time and nothing passionate was snatching your heart. 

My spirit, lately, has felt at ease.  Again, not that it is because things are going well or poorly, just that I have had a sense of contentment.  I’m trying to figure out if this is good or bad.  On one hand, contentment can be a sign of peace.  (Maybe I am doing what I’m supposed to do and it is good)  On the other hand, contentment can bring complacency.  I don’t like complacency.  It can lead to laziness.  I don’t like laziness.

So I feel good about where I am, but am afraid because I feel good about it.  Does that make sense?  My mom used to say that I worry too much. 

Usually this time of year I am very stressed.  I’ve always had a sense of urgency when September gets here for different reasons.  One, I am hoping that those who have missed church through the Summer come back.  Two—and related to one—is to get the ministry programs for the new season in order and running smoothly.  Three—and much less significant—is the anticipated frustration regarding my sports teams.  Will the Reds underachieve again and how many silly mistakes will I watch the Bengals make?

But I digress….

On a much more important note, Emmanuel is in need of leadership and I should be stressed.  For example, there is need for another Sunday School Teacher(s) in order to fill the 4^th-6^th grade class.  Beth Pollitt (who continues to do an extraordinary job with the kids) is looking for a change of pace and has agreed to step forward and lead a new children’s ministry for Saturday night worship (to start at the end of October).  If you have a passion for children, now is your time.  I promise, you will be equipped and have plenty of support to help the kids on Sunday morning become disciples (and you will likely learn alongside them). 

However, I’m not stressed.  This worries me.  Part of my job is to panic at the prospect of a healthy ministry not being sustained.  I’m not panicking. 

Emmanuel also needs help at the Trustees position.  The building has anywhere from 100 to 250 people (many of them kids) using the facility through the week.  The trustees need more help getting things done around the building.  I should be panicking.  I am not.  I don’t know why.

Many of the ministries are going along at a healthy pace, so don’t think that I’m grumbling.  I am experiencing what is typical for a church that goes through leadership transitions on an annual basis.  It’s just weird because I’m not stressed.  Maybe I’m getting old? 

So throughout the next month or so, expect to hear of opportunities for you to get involved.  But for whatever reason, don’t expect to hear it from a stressed pastor.  I’m not stressed and I don’t know why. 

God is Good,

Pastor Joe