To be fair, I stole this from an email I sent out recently to an old friend who lives too far away, but why try to retype an update on my life (career in this case) when you've already done it?
So here it is: I've given up leading the Music Ministry at our church. Tuesday was my last day. It took almost a year to get to the decision as God was working his vision into my heart for my life. It's been 16 years, so I have no problem saying so long and farewell, though I love the people so, and I supposed I will always love to sing and lead worship... it was time to move on.
I started to think about significance - what do I want to give another 10 or 15 years to? I want it to matter, and be what God's been preparing me for. I started thinking about where my kids will be in 10 years (teens argh!) so I want what I focus on to make a difference in their lives, and still reach outside of the church. I want them to be really "living life" and knowing Jesus. As i was saying, it took a year for me to begin to see again the dreams that He planted in my heart when I was 16 and again at 23 (or before that for all I know).
So now what? You are going to laugh...I'm taking over leadership of the Children's Ministry (I"m laughing at how absurd that sounds). However, we're re-focusing it to embrace ministry to "the Family" - have yet to come up with a name. In 6 weeks we'll move forward to start ministering to the entire family - marriages, kids, single parents, grandparents, etc.
I've got lot's of plans, some already started - a praying wives group (praying for our husbands weekly); an annual Motherhood Conference, monthly family "dates" - we've already done skating, a superbowl party, and harvest party. We'll be hosting mini-events (a princess party for girls, a superheros party for boys - a tween girls esteem building day), etc. A friend in the church already runs monthly date nights for married/engaged couples, and we're starting up a 6 week bible study through Focus on the Family for marriage building that will be ongoing as people catch the vision and importance. We just hosted our first Family Service this past Sunday morning, and it was great...we change the whole morning service to accomodate the entire family being together for the whole hour and meeting Jesus together.
I'll be partnering a lot of the projects with the non-profit/ non-religious organization my hubby started up with our Pastor called Elevate Niagara so that we have an open door to work with schools and recieve Government funding, etc...
We'll also be launching several summer and afterschool outreach programs for kids (there's already a successful Jr.Youth program that hosts these currently)
I'm probably the most excited about the summer programs because they will involve developing a youth mentoring/leadership initiative (like the one I was a part of as a teen) - we'll hire and train teens to run the programs, camps and events - blessing the family and all of Niagara. Down the road i see Music, Arts, Drama, Sports, Wilderness, etc. camps, as well as day programs, leadership development events and family focused camps (like father-son/ mother-daughter weekends) and winter camps. It's way bigger than my words seem to be able to contain and way bigger for me to EVER be able to do on my own - but definately worth giving everything to...
So - I'm crazy I know, and this is all when I'm super tired and just wanting to take a "break", but once you get the fire of vision ignited - there ain't no time to slow down...and somehow in the midst of this, whenever I think about it (all the time) - my energy comes back and is multiplied.
breathe, breathe, breathe...
I started to think about significance - what do I want to give another 10 or 15 years to? I want it to matter, and be what God's been preparing me for. I started thinking about where my kids will be in 10 years (teens argh!) so I want what I focus on to make a difference in their lives, and still reach outside of the church. I want them to be really "living life" and knowing Jesus. As i was saying, it took a year for me to begin to see again the dreams that He planted in my heart when I was 16 and again at 23 (or before that for all I know).
So now what? You are going to laugh...I'm taking over leadership of the Children's Ministry (I"m laughing at how absurd that sounds). However, we're re-focusing it to embrace ministry to "the Family" - have yet to come up with a name. In 6 weeks we'll move forward to start ministering to the entire family - marriages, kids, single parents, grandparents, etc.
I've got lot's of plans, some already started - a praying wives group (praying for our husbands weekly); an annual Motherhood Conference, monthly family "dates" - we've already done skating, a superbowl party, and harvest party. We'll be hosting mini-events (a princess party for girls, a superheros party for boys - a tween girls esteem building day), etc. A friend in the church already runs monthly date nights for married/engaged couples, and we're starting up a 6 week bible study through Focus on the Family for marriage building that will be ongoing as people catch the vision and importance. We just hosted our first Family Service this past Sunday morning, and it was great...we change the whole morning service to accomodate the entire family being together for the whole hour and meeting Jesus together.
I'll be partnering a lot of the projects with the non-profit/ non-religious organization my hubby started up with our Pastor called Elevate Niagara so that we have an open door to work with schools and recieve Government funding, etc...
We'll also be launching several summer and afterschool outreach programs for kids (there's already a successful Jr.Youth program that hosts these currently)
I'm probably the most excited about the summer programs because they will involve developing a youth mentoring/leadership initiative (like the one I was a part of as a teen) - we'll hire and train teens to run the programs, camps and events - blessing the family and all of Niagara. Down the road i see Music, Arts, Drama, Sports, Wilderness, etc. camps, as well as day programs, leadership development events and family focused camps (like father-son/ mother-daughter weekends) and winter camps. It's way bigger than my words seem to be able to contain and way bigger for me to EVER be able to do on my own - but definately worth giving everything to...
So - I'm crazy I know, and this is all when I'm super tired and just wanting to take a "break", but once you get the fire of vision ignited - there ain't no time to slow down...and somehow in the midst of this, whenever I think about it (all the time) - my energy comes back and is multiplied.
breathe, breathe, breathe...
3 comments:
Wow, you've got vision girl!! So awesome!
I love focus on the family too! My mom raised us with lots of insights from them. So in some ways, they've helped shape me and my siblings to be who we are today!
You're not crazy! Especially when you're doing something that comes from your heart - and because of that, you will have abundant strength to do what you need to do. It's so great to see the exciting steps you're taking, Tammara. :)
Thrilling! I know the chats we have shared over the years will all amount to something in the months and years to follow. I am so excited that God has given you Himself to fulfill the things set before you. His strength is like no other. I'm also thankful you are no stranger to asking for help from those around you too. Such a strength in it's self. Embrace Jesus with the hands of those around you. Go for it!
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