1) Don’t underestimate fellowship. Fellowship can be like a healing balm for your fledgling church and for you. To see the body of Christ engaging one another, loving on one another, eating with one another and praying together is a huge win and one that pays long-term dividends. Our go-getter brains think that it is the lesser of our priorities compared to evangelism and vision casting. Fellowship is like fuel to the hearts and ambitions of your people and you!
2) You think that at any given moment your folks are concerned with the church plant vision as much as you are – they’re not. This isn’t meant to be a disparaging statement on your core team or congregation…actually just the opposite. Your folks are dealing with life and all it has to offer at any given time. They are missing their adult children. They are worried about medical test results. They are trying to figure out a problem at work. They are looking forward to their vacation time away. And that’s ok. It’s not a reflection on you or your vision.
3) Children’s laughter is therapeutic. The back wall of our worship room is shared with our children’s classroom on the other side. This week, in the middle of my sermon, the children’s joy was so audible that it was noticeable to many in our congregation and then all began to smile and laugh as well. I was preaching on the need to develop the next generation of Christians. The timing could not have been better. If you’re teaching children the precious story of Jesus, your church is doing something right!