“To accomplish the important things you must learn to say no to some good things. More often than not, it is good things that have the greatest potential to distract you from the best things, the vision things” (p. 205) “Be careful that you don’t let good opportunities rob you of the joy of seeing your vision become a reality. Work hard to distinguish between the good things and the main things, good opportunities and the thing to which you feel called” (pp. 206-207).

I’d say that Grace has occasionally been distracted by good things. There was nothing inherently wrong with the programs and/or partnerships we pursued at different times. But we ran the risk of allowing them to detract from rather than enhance our mission. We, like any other church or any individual, sometimes have to step back and refocus on our mission. I know I’ve personally had to do that several times, and I suspect I will continue to have to do so as the years go by. Would we expect Grace to be any different in that regard? I don’t think so!

I will not post on the remaining Grace values (flex, engage, excellence, etc) since my role is changing here day by day.

I was so heartened yesterday by the eagerness of so many to see the Grace mission go forward…and it will!

Dave, I am so sad to hear that you are leaving your role as pastor at Grace, but I am confident that you and Debbie would not go this direction unless God was leading you, and that it of course is not a small decision taken lightly. You have both given your lives in so many ways over the years I’ve known you (and for so many years before I even met Jesus) and I appreciate who you are and all you’ve done. I know you will continue to serve God in the ways He calls you to honor Him and impact others for the Kingdom.

Know that Aaron and I support you both and are praying for God to specifically lead your steps and bless your lives. Truly.

Dave, you have meant so much to us as our pastor — and Debbie as the pastor’s wife (ha ha ha, ok, I may never get the chance to say that again! Sorry, couldn’t resist) … and still do mean so much to us of course as valued friends.

Wow. What will God do next in your lives???

We love you.

I am constantly reminded that we as believers and followers of Jesus Christ need to gather together regularly, worship God together and share our lives openly as a family, as well as individually grow in His Truth and simply focus on Him daily. It really is simple, though not easy as we are under attack by Satan and life gets at us every day!

I do think churches get caught up in trying different programs, putting in specific “program plans” (yep, I know we’ve done it too!!) that are guaranteed to “win people to Christ” or try to find the “right way to get people in and saved” — and it can be sincerely motivated by a desire to see people meet Jesus — Heck, we can even implement a “simplicity program” and that isn’t really “the answer” either.

But really, I think we mainly need to faithfully gather, learn from His Word, share our lives the way we’re told to by God, and people will be drawn to that. Is that what’s meant by simple? I think so. And if we are growing as believers, how can we not influence others for Christ?

This past Sunday, Craig talked about the first church. It reminds me to be together, share our lives and belongings, give to those who have need, hear God’s truth, and live it out. Nothing fancy.

Is that what “simple” means, maybe?

And now, with the news that Dave is resigning, we all need to think about what it means that we are a church body of believers and ask how we can be truly together in this huge change. One way is to support and encourage Dave and Debbie, and pray for God’s further leading in their lives. Another is to pray for Grace to be filled with God’s spirit and that He would continue to work in our lives.

And those are my thoughts. Hey, I should blog more often, it’s kind of fun!