The real work of ministry isn't glamorous
Debbie and I spent a few days last week with my parents in south Georgia. Getting away is always great, but it's also great to be back home.
Abigail, age 4, at our community VBS
Our community VBS, which was the last week of June, was a great success!
We had five local churches involved this year, and a lot of new volunteers. Attendance was well over 150 each night, and we loved being indoors in Oakland UMC's new multi-purpose building. Beats sweating in the Virginia heat like we did the first two years! See photos of the week here, thanks to Mark Thomas who is a member of Watson UMC, and a staff reporter for our local paper.
The community center construction is coming along nicely. The dirt pad is graded and compacted, and last week the crew started digging trenches for the footings. You can see photos of the progress each week here.
We're also partnering with Watson UMC and other town churches to provide school supplies for children in need. Watson UMC started this project, and we've supported the effort financially for the past two years.
Internally, we're also in the midst of a churchwide survey and evaluation designed to move us in a more missional direction. The survey will provide an opportunity for conversation around some of the chronic issues we continue to face as a congregation.
Even though summer is a busy time for vacations and travel, it's also a time for preparation for the fall. I'm sure it's that way at your place, too. I've discovered that most church ministry is not glamorous or extraordinary. Most of it is just "shoulder-to-the-wheel" work that needs to be done. But, God is in the ordinary tasks of ministry, too. I hope your summer is a time for refreshment, retreat, and renewal -- even if it isn't glamorous!
